What are dental implants?
Dental implants are artificial tooth roots — typically made from titanium — specially designed to stabilize and secure your dental prostheses, such as a crown or dentures. The dental implants fuse to your jawbone so that your replacement teeth remain securely in place.
The goal is to create a sturdy base for your replacement teeth and restore your smile. Dr. Bhat then places your dental prosthesis on top of your implants.
Dr. Bhat can also offer tooth extractions and bone grafting when necessary for those who don’t have enough jawbone to support implants already.
Why would dental implants be recommended?
Dr. Bhat might suggest dental implants for a number of reasons, such as:
- If you want to improve your speech
- If your regular dentures keep falling out
- If you have missing teeth
Dental implants come in different sizes and shapes and can replace a single missing tooth, a few missing teeth, or a whole set of missing teeth.
How are dental implants placed?
During your in-office procedure to place your dental implants, Dr. Bhat administers local anesthesia before carefully making an incision in your gums. You can also choose to have general anesthesia for your dental implant procedure.
Osseointegration comes next. Osseointegration is a process where over time, your new implants fuse with your jaw. After Dr. Bhat has surgically placed your implant, it typically takes about 3-6 months for your new dental implants and your jawbone to successfully fuse together.
Once the healing phase is complete, you come back to the office where Dr. Bhat screws a small implant attachment called an abutment on top of each dental implant. Abutments serve as connectors between the implant and the dental prosthesis that you’ve chosen. Next, she attaches your dental prosthesis to the abutments.
Crowns
Crowns are a popular dental prosthesis usually derived from porcelain, metal, or porcelain fused to a metal alloy. Dr. Bhat cements or screws your crown (artificial tooth) onto the abutment where it remains permanently in place. If your crown is screwed to the abutment, Dr. Bhat covers the screw hole with a restorative material, such as a tooth-colored filling material (composite).
After this second appointment, you’re left with a durable, sturdy replacement for your missing teeth.
What are the benefits of dental implants?
Dental implants offer an array of benefits, such as:
- Improving the aesthetics of your smile
- Securing and stabilizing your dentures
- Improving speech
- The materials don’t decay and deteriorate like your natural teeth
- Safe and long-lasting dental solution
- Boosting your dental health
- Preventing future bone loss and preserving your jawbone
Dental implants also allow you to eat a normal, balanced, healthy diet.
If you’re interested in dental implants and how they can enhance your smile and benefit your dental health, call Dr. Bhat or schedule here on the website.
