Dental implants bring gapped smiles back to full function. Placed by your Carlisle cosmetic dentist, these artificial teeth keep jawbone strong and healthy.
Dental implants replace missing teeth from root to crown. Secured by titanium screws surgically placed during an in-office procedure, these state of the art tooth replacements look, feel and function just like natural teeth.
The dental implant procedure
Most patients make good candidates for dental implants. Good oral and overall health is a prerequisite. Carlisle cosmetic dentist, Thomas Neslund DMD, also ensures the patient has adequate jaw bone density and size to support an implant. If the bone is weak, he can build it up through special augmentation procedures before placing the implant. He also takes an impression of the implant site for fabrication of a customized porcelain crown.
For the single tooth implant, your Carlisle dentist drills a small pilot hole into the jaw bone. This narrow channel accepts the titanium screw or artificial root. He closes the site with sutures and allows several weeks of healing before proceeding with the next phase. During this time, the jaw bone melds to the titanium screw through osseointegration. This natural process accounts for the amazing stability of the dental implant.
During the next appointment. Dr. Neslund attaches a metal post or abutment to the implant. Then, he bonds the porcelain crown to the post, adjusting its fit and how the teeth bite together. At this point, the implant procedure is complete.
The many advantages of dental implants
Dental implants are truly the gold standard in modern tooth replacement because:
- they encourage jaw bone growth, supporting facial muscles and great aesthetics
- they feel and look totally natural
- they have a high success and retention rate
- they can support bridgework and full sets of dentures
- they last indefinitely
Caring for dental implants
Your Carlisle cosmetic dentist advises meticulous oral hygiene in caring for dental implants. Just as with natural teeth, this means twice a day brushing with a soft-bristled brush and quality toothpaste. Also, daily flossing removes plaque and tartar a toothbrush normally misses–in between teeth and along the back most molars. While implants cannot develop cavities, they can get a form of gum disease known as peri-implantitis. So, good at-home hygiene and professional cleanings are a must.
Additionally, while people who smoke and chew tobacco can receive dental implants, success rates are higher if they cease tobacco use, at least for 72 hours before and after placement. Maintaining a healthy diet is important, too.
Would you like to know more about implants?
Dental implants could well be the solution to your gapped smile. Contact Dr.Thomas Neslund at Carlisle Family & Cosmetic Dentistry today to set-up a personal consultation. He will do some imaging and talk with your about your oral health, goals and preferences.