What is the Dental Implant Procedure?
Dental implants in pouslbo washington are just what they sound like, a permanently placed tooth in your mouth and they are kept in place by a post that is implanted below the gumline and fused to the jaw bone. Dental implants are designed to look like and function like natural teeth where you have lost a tooth due to disease, decay, trauma, or age. Dental implants will improve the look of your smile with a complete set of teeth and will protect your other teeth from gravitating to new places affecting your bite and jaw alignment. Also your dental health will be better overall after an implant because the implant will keep the jaw bone strong with the consistent pressure from biting just like a natural tooth.
A dental implant requires a metal post to be set below the gumline with a crown on top to mimic the natural tooth that was once in its place. The artificial tooth will act like the natural tooth when you chew your food and when you bite down to close your jaw. The metal post is designed to fuse to the jaw bone and act like the root of the natural tooth. The implant can work better and remain in place longer than a bridge or even
dentures. The secure screw-like fitting of the false tooth in place will help you avoid the discomfort of an ill-fitting bridge or an awkward slipping set of dentures.
Dental Implant Surgery Procedure
When you are discussing your treatment plan options for replacing a missing tooth with the dentist, the dentist will need to perform full and thorough evaluations to determine if you are healthy enough for surgery and that your desired outcome can be addressed by a dental implant. The dentist may take x-rays, refer you to a maxillofacial surgeon, refer you to a periodontist, review your medical history, any medical conditions and medications you regularly use.
As you get closer to the surgery, you and the dentist will talk about your anesthesia options; it is important that you are comfortable and using the right medication for you. The dentist will give you an important list of reminders for before and after the surgery to keep you in best health before the surgery and to ensure the success of the implant after the surgery.
The dental implant surgery will take more than one visit and will take time for your mouth to heal before the dentist can move on to the next step. The dentist will remove the damaged tooth, if it remains in your mouth. Then, the dentist will prepare your jaw bone if the bone needs additional support to accommodate the implant. After the jaw heals, the dentist will place the implant into the gums. The implant will fuse to the jaw bone and the gums will heal. The dentist will place an abutment or screw-like fitting on the implant to attach the false tooth. Finally, the dentist can place the artificial tooth on top completing your dental implant experience.
The whole dental implant process takes time and many visits to the dentist, but when it is in place, you will have the complete, healthy smile that was not looking you in the mirror when you started the process.
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