3 Tooth Replacement Options That Employ Dental Implants
Posted on: 28 June 2016
The dental implant has become a popular method of restoring one or more lost teeth. A tooth may require extraction due to trauma, such as a crack through the root of the tooth or dental decay that is beyond repair. Once a permanent tooth has been lost, there is no way for the body to regenerate it. However, the tooth can be replaced using a dental implant.
The dental implant does not simply rest at the gum line. Instead, it replaces the dental root of the missing tooth.
Each dental implant is actually a metal rod that a dental surgeon positions inside your jaw bone. After its placement, the dental implant connects to the bone of the jaw through a fusion process called osseointegration. The connection between the bone and the dental implant is usually complete within a few months of the procedure.
Here are a few tooth replacement options that employ dental implants:
Single-tooth Restorations
For a single-tooth restoration, a dental implant is covered by an abutment and subsequently by a dental crown. The crown is usually made of porcelain or porcelain-over-metal due to the porcelain's durability and resemblance to natural tooth material.
After the abutment is placed, the gums are often contoured or shaped so that the gum line around the dental crown appears as natural as possible.
Dental Bridge Support
Dental implants help hold a dental bridge securely in the mouth. A dental bridge is has one or more false teeth in its center and a crown on each side of the false teeth. The crowns of the bridge support the appliance and secure it into the mouth by connecting it to underlying teeth or dental implants.
Since the dental implant rests as securely in the jawbone as a natural tooth, the support provided to the bridge is stable and allows the appliance to withstand daily bite pressure.
Implant-supported Denture
Dental implants can also be used to help hold implant-supported dentures in place. A full denture is used to replace an entire palate of teeth. However, the appliance must rely on natural suction and dental adhesive to hold it in place unless it is supported by dental implants. After the placement of dental implants, the denture can be connected to the implants for full stability using a special mechanism on its underside..
To learn more ways than a dental implant can be used in tooth replacement applications, schedule an appointment with a dentist, such as Marc E. Segal, D.D.S., in your area.
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