What Is Dental Implant Restoration?

A dental implant restoration might be exactly what you need if you have a missing tooth. Implants are titanium posts that are placed in the jaw as a replacement for the root of a lost tooth. Implants can also be made from other materials, like zirconium.

A dental implant restoration is made up of two main components. The implant that serves as an artificial root and a restoration that replaces the lost tooth. Implants are often fitted with crowns, but they can also serve as bases for other restoration, like dentures and bridges.

Implants are highly recommended by dentists because of their bone preserving properties. The implant transfers bite forces into the patient’s jaw, which gives the tissues there all the stimulation they need. Implants are the only oral prosthetics used in dentistry that effectively address the bone tissue breakdown that occurs when a tooth falls out.

What to expect when getting a dental implant restoration

Patients get to choose whether they want to use their implant as a base for a crown, dentures, or bridge. The number of teeth the patient has lost often dictates what works best. An implant that is being used to replace a single lost tooth can be fitted with a crown, while a patient who has already lost most of their real teeth might be better off using their implants as a base for dentures.

Patients also get to choose the type of materials their restorations are made of. Porcelain crowns are one of the popular options for replacing a single tooth since this leads to the best aesthetics. Porcelain crowns are white and translucent like real teeth. The dentist will color-match the restoration to the rest of the patient’s teeth.

The dental implant process

Getting a dental implant restoration often requires two surgical processes. During the first visit, the dentist will examine the patient’s teeth to determine their eligibility for implants. Implants are embedded in the jaw so the patient’s jawbone should be thick enough to hold them in place. Patients who lack the bone density needed for implants will have to get bone grafts to be eligible.

During the first surgery, the area being worked on will be injected with a local anesthetic. The oral surgeon might make an incision into the patient’s gums to access the jaw. A hole is drilled into the jaw and the implant is pushed into it. The implant fuses with the bone tissues keeping it in place over the next few months via osseointegration. This turns the implant into part of the patient’s jaw, leading to excellent stability.

The second appointment involves reopening the incision made to access the implant. An abutment is attached to the implant before suturing the cut. An impression might be taken to make the restoration that will be attached to the crown. The patient will be given a couple of weeks to heal from the second surgery before a restoration is attached to the implant.

Ready to restore your smile?

Thinking about getting dental implants? Our dentist can educate you about your best options. Call or visit our St. George clinic to set up an appointment.

Request an appointment here: https://www.aboutdentalcare.com or call About Dental Care at (435) 359-0147 for an appointment in our St. George office.

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