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In this issue of our newsletter:

Your Single Tooth Implant

ADA American Dental Association

A dental implant is the next best thing to the real thing.

A dental implant is one option for replacing a missing tooth. Implants have been used for many years. They are man-made “anchors” that look like screws and are made of titanium and other materials that are compatible with the human body. The single tooth implant is placed by surgery in the upper or lower jaw, where it replaces your missing tooth’s root(s)

An implant looks and functions like a natural tooth.  It fits securely even when you chew and speak. A single tooth implant does not involve treatment to your other teeth.

What’s involved?

The way implants are placed depends on the patient, the type of implant, and the tooth being replaced. Some implants require two or three appointments and can take up to a year to complete. With others, called immediate –load implants, the implant and crown can be placed on the same day. Your dentist will tell you which type is best for you.

Most implants involve two or three basic steps:

• First, the dentist surgically places the implant into the jaw. The implant attaches to the bone

Through a process called osseointegration that takes three to six months. Immediately after the surgery, there may be some swelling and/ or pain for a few days, so your dentist may give pain medication. Your dentist may also suggest a diet of soft foods, cold foods and warm soup while the area heals.

• Next, the dentist may attach an extension,

 Called a post of abutment, to the implant. Once healed, the implant and post can serve as the base of new artificial tooth, or crown.

• Finally, the dentist makes a crown, based on your size, shape, color and fit that will blend with your other teeth. A temporary crown is placed until the permanent crown is ready; it is attached to the implant or post.

Who is a good candidate?

Your dentist can help you decide if you can get a dental implant. In most cases, you are a good candidate if you......

.....are in good general health. Chronic illnesses, such as diabetes or leukemia, may interfere with healing after surgery and prevent successful placement of an implant.

........have a jawbone that can support an implant. If you have lost bone in your jaw you may still get an implant, but first bone must added by a special procedure known as bone graphing

........don’t use tobacco. Smoking can cause dental implants to fail.

Good oral hygiene is very important to the success of the implant. You’ll need to make sure the area around the implant is especially clean. Your dentist may recommend that you use a special toothbrush, called an interproximal brush, or a mouth rinse to help prevent cavities and other problems.

 Regular dental visits are also important. Your dentist will create a schedule of regular checkups and professional cleanings to keep your implant and your natural teeth healthy.

If you are missing a tooth,there are many reasons to replace it:

A gap between your teeth when you smile or speak may be a cosmetic concern

Missing teeth may affect the way you speak and chew

If a missing tooth is not replaced, the teeth around it can move. Harmful plaque and tartar can form in new hard-to-reach places. Over time, this may lead to tooth decay and periodontal (gum) diseases.

Bone loss can occur in the region of the missing tooth.

For your better health!

Tuckerton Dental