How are dental implants placed?

A dental implant consists of a titanium screw and a crown. A small-diameter hole is drilled into the area where the tooth is missing in the jaw in order to guide the titanium screw that will hold the dental implant in place. To avoid damaging the jaw and facial structures, great care is taken by the dentist when boring the hole into the jaw bone.

Once the hole has been drilled, the dental implants - metal screws of sterile titanium that are driven at very slow speed into the alveolar ridge or jaw bone - are placed into the jaw slowly. They can replace missing teeth by serving as a "root" for a crown which will replace the visible portion of the lost or missing tooth. The implant is intended to function with the same strength as a natural tooth. It differs from bridges in that it does not need to rely on neighboring teeth to keep it stable.

Following this placement, a protective cover screw is placed on top to allow the implant site to heal and the dental implant to anchor. After several months, the protective cover is removed and a temporary crown is placed on top of the dental implant. The temporary crown serves as a template around which the gum grows and shapes itself in a natural way. The process is completed when the temporary crown is replaced with a permanent crown. A dental implant should be followed by a regular check-up to examine the implant radiographically and clinically.

At the office of Mouth Carolina Dentistry, Dr. Greenberg and his staff will help you to determine if a dental implant is the best procedure for your particular needs. Call and make an appointment today, it is never too soon to start seeing an improvement in your smile!



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