Natural teeth are designed to last a lifetime. Unfortunately, this is not the case for many people. Many people are missing at least one tooth, sometimes even all of their teeth, due to periodontal disease, tooth decay, or trauma. Advances in dental technology have created realistic replacements that look, feel, and function just like natural teeth
Dental implants are now the number one solution for replacing missing teeth. They are the only solution that most resembles real teeth. If you put a natural tooth and dental implant side by side, you’ll see that their parts are very similar. The implant post is a root that holds the tooth in place and a crown that you see above the gums. If you care for implants properly with regular brushing and flossing and dental check-ups, they can last a lifetime.
Dr. Heather Adams is a local restorative dentist in Rogers Arkansas that offers many types of dental implants in Rogers, AR for patients missing one, multiple, or all of their teeth. She coordinates treatment with local oral surgeons or periodontists to bring her patients the very best tooth-replacement option. You should understand what teeth implants are made of and how they work to see why they’re the best option.
A Dental Implant Has 3 Parts
A dental implant restoration consists of three parts: the implant post, the abutment, and the restoration itself.
The Dental Implant
The term implant refers to the metal post that we surgically implant into the jaw. The post is made of titanium, chosen due to its strength and ability to fuse with the jaw bone. This material is lightweight yet extremely durable.
The bone cells attach themselves to the titanium post during the implant process. Titanium is rarely rejected by the human body which makes an implant extremely dependable. The post cylinder-shaped and resembles a typical screw-in appearance.
A dental implant will act as the missing tooth’s root structure. They’re the only teeth replacement option to replace the roots and prevent bone loss in the jaw.
The Abutment
We connect a little part called an abutment to the implant post after you heal. It can take up to six months for the post to heal and fuse with the surrounding bone. Then we uncover the implant and screw or cement the abutment to the titanium post. This tiny connector piece will sit right at the gum line and will support the dental prosthesis.
The Dental Restoration
The final piece of the dental implant is the finished restoration. This is the part that looks just like natural teeth and will complete your smile. The kind of finished restoration you need depends on how many teeth you are missing and where they are located. The prosthetic tooth will be a dental crown for a single missing tooth.
When you need a dental crown, we attach it securely to the abutment with dental cement or small screws. If you’re missing several teeth, we might suggest a bridge or denture instead. We can attach these replacements in different ways. Some snap into place, some use tiny screws, and others are cemented like crowns. We offer dental restorations that we color-match to blend seamlessly with your natural teeth.
Make an Implant Consultation
Do you have a lost or knocked-out tooth? Call to replace one or more missing teeth today at (479) 323-3011. You can also request an appointment with Dr. Adams online.
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