Dental implants are surgical-grade root devices made of titanium that are surgically placed in the jawbone beneath the gums where they become fused into the jaw. A crown is mounted atop the implant for a long-lasting and natural looking smile. Many patients prefer dental implants because they offer the same function as natural teeth and help prevent bone atrophy in the jaw. Dental implants may be used to replace single or multiple missing teeth.
DID YOU KNOW… that approximately 30 million people live with no natural teeth in one or both jaws? But more and more patients are opting for dental implants as a means of tooth replacement. The American Academy of Implant Dentistry reports that 3 million people currently have dental implants – a number that is rapidly growing by about 500,000 per year. Modern titanium implants were first developed in the 1950’s, but archeologists have determined that ancient Egyptians and Mayans were the first cultures to implant artificial teeth.
Dental implants in mount prospect
Dental Implant Procedure
Implants are placed in two stages. In the first stage the root form is surgically placed into your jawbone. During the healing period, we want to allow plenty of time for your bone to grow around the implant. This process, known as osseointegration, is what gives the implant its strength and allows you to eat normally. This process can take a few months. In the second stage, a permanent crown is placed over the root. We use porcelain crowns, so it will have the same natural translucency of your other teeth.
If you are only missing one tooth, you have two good options for tooth replacement; a dental implant or a dental bridge.
A dental bridge involves three teeth: the missing tooth and the two adjacent teeth. Each of the adjacent teeth will be prepared to receive a crown. Then, a three-unit bridge will be made, suspending the missing tooth between two crowns. This treatment option is most useful when the adjacent teeth need dental work to be done. In such cases you will address multiple problems concurrently.
If your adjacent teeth are perfectly healthy, then you may not want to have them ground down for unnecessary crowns. It is always best to stay as conservative as possible. In such situations, a dental implant is a more practical option.