What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants look and act like a natural tooth. They’re made of a variety of parts and are attached to your jawbone. These parts include:
The dental implant itself, which is a titanium metal post that attaches to the jawbone. Implants are designed to fuse to your bone and promote bone growth over time. Titanium is durable, bio-friendly and very common in surgeries like hip and knee replacements, making it the perfect fit.
The abutment, or the screw that fits atop the post and sticks out from your gums. This part securely attaches your new prosthetic tooth to the prosthetic implant root.
The crown, which is the ceramic replacement for your actual tooth. Crowns are uniquely designed to match the rest of your natural teeth and are the only visible part of your completed implant.
Like the components of an implant itself, the process is performed in multiple stages that build atop each other. This is so your mouth, bone and gums have adequate time to heal and support your crown.
What Happens During the Dental Implant Procedure?
Dental implant surgery is a process that requires intimate knowledge of your mouth, natural teeth, gum health and bone health. Implants are custom-designed to match and blend seamlessly in with your natural teeth and mouth, making them an excellent choice for physical and aesthetic restoration.
First, our team determines the proper treatment plan for your oral health needs. This includes closely evaluating your bone structure and determining if you have enough bone to support your implants. If you don’t, you may need a bone graft from an oral surgeon.
Next, we attach the implant itself to your jawbone. This requires a surgical process and time for your mouth to heal before the permanent crown is attached. In the meantime, we provide a temporary crown that allows you to perform essential functions like chewing, speaking and smiling.
Finally, we secure your permanent crown to your implant and abutment. We work with our team of professionals to design a crown just for you and your specific mouth aesthetics.
Once we attach your crown, your implant procedure is complete and should last for years to come. If your crown does end up getting damaged or unscrewing, we offer non-surgical implant restoration services for easy replacement.
Dental implants require an investment of both time and money, and the total healing time may require four to six months. The Craig C. Callen, D.D.S., L.L.C. & Associates team is here for you during the entire process. Call us at (419) 756-0188 with any questions or issues you may have.
How Do I Care For My New Dental Implants?
Since dental implants function exactly like a natural tooth, you must care for them as you would for the rest of your mouth. While ceramic crowns can’t decay, they are subject to cracking, chipping, damage and wear and tear.
Make sure to brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, floss, maintain regular hygiene appointments and wear an athletic mouthguard when playing contact sports or doing activities where your teeth could be damaged.
Looking for Dental Implants in Mansfield?
At Craig C. Callen, D.D.S., L.L.C. & Associates, our expert team specializes in restorative dentistry solutions that repair your smile and mouth back to total oral health and well-being. Call our office at (419)756-0188 to schedule a consultation appointment and discuss our dental implant services.
Looking for Expert Dental Implants in Mansfield?
At Craig C. Callen, D.D.S., L.L.C. & Associates, we provide high-quality dental implant solutions designed to restore the appearance, function, and health of your smile. Our team uses advanced techniques to help replace missing teeth with natural-looking, long-lasting results.
Call us at (419) 756-0188 to schedule an appointment and learn more about how dental implants can help you regain confidence in your smile.