Dental implants offer a 90% success rate, and can be used to address minor and even severe tooth loss, with new teeth that last for decades. To understand what makes them so successful, you need to know what materials each part of a dental implant is made from. In today’s blog, your Livonia, MI, dentist is talking about the parts of your new tooth!
The Biocompatible Post
The implant portion is a post made from titanium. The titanium material is biocompatible, meaning the body accepts it as natural bone tissue. As a result, when we insert this into the jawbone, it bonds with the jaw through a process known as osseointegration. This process allows it to act as a new root, so your new tooth has the potential to last just as long as a real one. The position and angle of your post will be chosen with the aid of digital x-rays and scanning technology, so we can choose placement that supports your new tooth and stimulates the growth of bone tissue to prevent the gradual break down that follows tooth loss.
The Abutment
Once the placement area has healed, or sometimes in the same visit, we will attach abutments to the posts. These are small and extend above the gum line. We then attach the crown or prosthetic to your new roots, completing the visible portion of your smile that allows you to eat with ease and smile with confidence!
The Restoration
If you’ve received an individual dental implant post, then we will attach a custom-made crown. The crown is the visible portion of your tooth, and will be designed to look natural, fit comfortably with the rest of your smile, and provide a durable chewing surface. Each one custom-made and color-matched for your smile!
Bridges and Dentures
We could also provide bridges that last far longer than 15 years, and also don’t require the loss of natural tooth structure. You could receive dentures that don’t need to be removed for cleaning and soaking, and that could be in place for decades, even a lifetime in some cases. We attach the custom prosthetic in a follow-up visit, or in some cases, the same sitting. If you have any questions, then contact our team today to learn more. We want to ensure you can always smile with confidence, even if you’ve lost one or more natural teeth!
DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT ADDRESSING MISSING TEETH?
Our team wants to help you enjoy a full smile with an advanced and lifelike dental implant. To learn more about the options we use to address your tooth loss, then call James Stewart, DDS, dental implant office in Livonia, MI, at (734) 425-4400. We also serve the residents of Farmington, Plymouth, Dearborn Heights, and all surrounding communities.