Implant Restoration

Losing a natural tooth can leave the patient in a tough situation. A single missing tooth can have a lot of drawbacks - both aesthetics and functionality. Over time, the symptoms could worsen and make it difficult to carry out even the basic oral functions, such as bite and chew food. Hence, dentists from all around the world suggest you get missing teeth restored with prosthetic dental implants at the earliest.

What are the adverse effects of a missing tooth?

• Missing teeth can lead to jawbone deterioration as the bone tends to shrink after the tooth is extracted.
• Extracting a tooth leaves a gap in the jawbone, which allows the adjoining teeth to shift from their ideal positions. This can change the bite and give rise to a malocclusion.
• Biting and chewing food may seem complicated and slightly painful due to the missing tooth. This is due to the excessive pressure applied to the teeth adjoining the gap.
• Smiling, laughing, or even talking confidently with a missing tooth may seem uncomfortable. You could feel too conscious or embarrassed about your facial appearance due to this.

Why choose implants?

• Implants are inserted into the jawbone exactly in place of the missing tooth. This keeps the implant in place and provides the necessary stability.
• Implants are known to be highly durable as they are made from tough materials like titanium and dental-grade ceramic. This allows them to stay as good as new for several years together.
• Implants prevent jawbone deterioration and the drifting of natural teeth by completely bridging the gap left by the missing tooth.
• You could bite and chew food without worrying about the implant slipping off or breaking. Oral functionality will be restored completely.
• Implants have an excellent success rate.
• In some instances, implants can be combined with dental bridges or dentures to replace multiple missing teeth.

How is a dental implant placed?

The dentist will conduct a thorough diagnosis by taking x-rays and digital scans of the mouth to get a finer view of the oral cavity. The data will be used to determine your candidacy for implants, and will also be used as a reference for fabricating the ceramic crown.

Before the surgery, local anesthesia will be administered to numb the teeth, gums, and jawbone. A small hole is made in the jawbone in place of the missing tooth using highly accurate dental instruments. The metal stud will be inserted in it and secured firmly in place using dental adhesives. A few months of healing period is suggested by the dentist to facilitate optimum healing.

During the next appointment, a connecting abutment will be placed on the implant. The ceramic crown will be attached to the abutment and bonded permanently in place using dental adhesives. The crown will be polished, and a bite test will be conducted to ensure your natural bite doesn’t alter.

Please schedule an appointment online or call us at (503) 581-2446 to consult with our dentist, Dr. Giruc, and we will be happy to assist you further.