It would be surprising to learn how many of the people we know have dental implants. Implants are one of the most common solutions to the problem of a missing tooth or teeth, whether the teeth were lost because of an injury, decay or disease. At times, implants are the best choice even for older teens.
When a tooth is so damaged that it must be removed, both the crown (the part of the tooth that is visible) and the root are will be gone. There are very good reasons why a missing tooth should be replaced. Missing teeth can cause differing problems, depending on their location. In some cases, speech might be affected. It’s also possible for missing teeth to affect a person’s ‘bite’. Biting differently in order to compensate for the missing teeth causes extra pressure and pain in jaw joints. Missing teeth can also cause the teeth surrounding the ‘gap’ to shift.
A dental implant prevents those problems by replacing the missing tooth. The implant is made of titanium and surgically placed into the jawbone where it acts as the anchor for the replacement tooth. Titanium is used because it has the unique capability of being able to fuse with the natural bone. It normally takes several months to complete the implant process. First, the implant is placed in the jaw; it takes 3-6 months to fuse with the bone. During this time, the gum is held over the implant. Next, an extension called a ‘post’ is attached to the implant and tissue from the gum will be allowed to heal around the post. In the third step, a custom-made artificial tooth, made to match the other teeth, is attached to the post and the implant is complete. It will function as a normal tooth.
Railroad Dental Associates is a dental practice in Gainesville, Va. They are committed to working hard at helping their patients achieve the healthy, happy smile they’ve always wanted. The dentists take the time to develop a relationship with their patients while explaining their treatment options in a comfortable, relaxing environment. The practice offers a wide variety of services, ranging from general and sedation dentistry to pediatric and cosmetic dentistry. Another service provided is dental implant in Manassas.
