Over the course of the last 20 years, dental implants have been growing in popularity and availability. They are one of the safest and most effective solutions for replacing a lost tooth, anchoring a bridge or creating multiple anchor points for your dentures.
During the initial consultation, your doctor might take X-rays or a CT scan to get a better idea of the amount of bone tissue or any other factors that might come into play during the procedure. Next, a bone graft procedure will likely be recommended to make sure you have enough structure to anchor your implant firmly. This procedure is usually done a few months in advance to give the bone time to firmly integrate into your jaw.
During the implant procedure, our oral surgeon creates a narrow channel in the bone. We will then screw a titanium abutment into the channel. Titanium is the ideal metal for the abutment as it is biologically safe and in time it will actually bond with the bone material itself, creating a very strong anchor. When the procedure is completed, our oral surgeon will place a temporary cap over the abutment to protect it.
Once everything is healed and anchored in place, your dentist will fit you for a crown to be placed over the abutment. The final crown and implant is very durable. With the proper care, your new implant can last for many years to come.
If you have questions about the dental implant procedure or if you are curious whether it might be right for you, please feel free to call us at 952-226-7940 to schedule an appointment.