Maybe you wear dentures, and you’re looking for an upgrade. Or you’ve recently lost one or more teeth, and you want your functionality restored. For either situation, dental implant insertion could be the solution you need. As you continue reading, learn about the basics of dental implants in East Longmeadow & Northampton so you can make an educated decision about how to fix your smile!
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are unique in that they are the only form of tooth replacement that attach beneath the gum line. This is made possible by a titanium post being surgically inserted into the underlying jawbone. Because titanium is a biocompatible material, the existing bone fuses with it to form a sound foundation that closely mimics that of the original tooth root. With dental implantation, there is a way to replace any number of teeth to restore full functionality and create a natural look.
How the Dental Implant Process Works
Across the board, dental implantation has a 95% success rate, and it can partly be attributed to the fact that dentists take a careful and methodical approach. Here are the steps that are involved:
- Initial Assessment – Before any work is conducted, you’ll visit a dentist for a consultation and evaluation. He or she will check to make sure your oral health and jawbone density are adequate enough to proceed with treatment.
- Restorative Care – If you have gum disease or lack jawbone density, you will need to receive restorative treatment before moving forward with implantation.
- Implant Placement – After numbing the treatment area, the dentist will insert the implant into the jawbone and, afterwards, repair the gums to allow for healing.
- Abutment Addition – After your jaw and gums have healed sufficiently, you’ll return to have an abutment attached to the implant, which will act as an anchor for the final restoration.
- Restoration Placement – The final step is for the dentist to place a custom-designed restoration (crown, bridge or denture) to leave you fully functional.
The Benefits of Dental Implants
Many denture wearers deal with embarrassing slips. Still, others have to contend with their restorations completely dislodging. For those who have traditional bridges, there can be shifting that occurs over time from the natural changes in the shape of the jaw. To make matters worse, those who ignore their smile gaps are subject to the remaining teeth shifting, jawbone loss and oral health issues.
Dental implantation addresses all of these challenges in a manner that restores up to 95% of the original chewing capacity, while removing any fears of the restoration shifting, dislodging or appearing unnatural.
To participate in your own version of dental implants 101 in East Longmeadow & Northampton, contact a local dentist. The steps you take today will lead to a more fulfilling tomorrow!
About the Author
Dr. Vincent J. Mariano earned his dental degree from the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston. He then went on to receive postdoctoral training in prosthodontics and earned the status of Board-Certified Prosthodontist – one of only roughly 1,000 in the United States. With over 30 years of experience in dental implantation, Dr. Mariano is an expert in the field. He reconstructs smiles at EMA Dental, and he can be reached for more information or to request a visit through his website.