What are dental implants?
Dental implants are substitute teeth roots, resembling screws. These screws are usually made of titanium or its alloy. The implants are bonded to the living bone structure of the jaw. Prosthetic crowns fastened with machined screws are placed on top of the implant to replicate the missing teeth. Prosthetic options include single crowns (caps), bridgework or an implant retained overdenture.
A. Dental implants are a wonderful way to replace missing teeth when certain conditions exist; as your overall general health, bone strength and the length of time you have been missing your teeth must be considered. The replacement of missing teeth using dental implants frequently requires a team approach. After your dentist does a thorough examination and treatment plan the surgical phase of treatment takes place. In most cases an oral surgeon will put the implant (the artificial root) into the jaw. When healing is complete, usually after 4-6 months. The tooth or bridge segment can be placed on top of the healed implants as in the photo below.
A natural tooth consists of a crown (the part you see above the gum), and the root (the part hidden under the gum, within the jawbone). It is the root that actually holds the natural tooth in place. When a person is missing a tooth, the dentist must decide how to re-create the crown portion, and the best method to hold it in place. Dental implants were created for this purpose. Dental implants involve the use of metallic cylinders that are placed into the jawbone where original teeth once existed. These root-like cylinders are used to secure a replacement tooth. Dental implants can also be used to secure existing loose teeth in place by being installed alongside the loose teeth and anchoring to them with splinted crowns. Using this procedure, Dr. Ronen Rotem, a leading New Jersey cosmetic dentist, can assure his patients that their loose teeth will function better and last longer in their mouths. Dental implants are made of various biomaterials. Most commonly, a surgical metal called t
The implants themselves are tiny titanium posts that are inserted into the jawbone where teeth are missing. These metal anchors act as tooth root substitutes. After they are surgically placed into the jawbone, the bone bonds with the titanium, creating a strong support for artificial teeth. After the implants have healed to the bone, small posts known as abutment are attached to the implant and protrude through the gums. These abutments are what the final dental restoration are attached to. Implants also help preserve the jaw bone structure, preventing bone deterioration that occurs when teeth are missing.
