What Is A Dental Implant?

What Is A Dental Implant?

what is a dental implant
As seen in the picture on the left, a dental implant is a fake tooth which takes the place of a tooth which has been removed.

In other words, they are simply tooth replacements.

Their purpose, other than to make your smile look aesthetically as nice, is to protect you from the potential loss of jaw bone, which usually occurs if you lose your teeth.

A loss of
your tooth due to an accident or decay usually calls for an implant.

To have this surgery done, you should have healthy gums and sufficient bone to be able to support the dental implant.

Your dentist will first place an anchor into your jawbone (as seen in the above picture), functioning as a tooth root. It is usually made from metals like titanium.

A post is then placed within, which extends out of the anchor. It is to this post to which your new tooth will be attached to.

The process for the jawbone to fully grow around the anchor and hold it in place takes about 3 to 6 months.

Swelling and/or tenderness may be present for the few days right after your surgery, and painkillers may be given to you. For a period of time, you should only take soft foods during meals.

There is no need to remove your new tooth for cleaning or soaking, unlike dentures, but it is important to brush, floss it like a natural tooth and still take good oral and dental care; or you can still possibly end up with gum disease or bone loss.

Read more about benefits of dental implants here.

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