Dental implants are a great way to replace a lost tooth and maintain healthy jaw structure. Advanced periodontal disease or multiple cases of severe tooth decay can cause you to lose multiple teeth. In the past, if you had too many teeth missing and not enough bone structure available in the jaw, you would have had to settle for a partial, over denture or a full set of dentures.
Dental implants and bone grafts have made it possible for you to replace those lost teeth with a fully functional implanted bridge. You will need to have enough bone to anchor the dental implant. This might require you to have a bone graft procedure a few months in advance. Your dentist or periodontist can determine if you need a bone graft.
During this part of the process, you will probably have x-rays or a CT scan performed to better assess how much bone is left and just what kind of placement procedures you might need.
The dental implant procedure itself can be performed on an outpatient basis.
During the procedure, two narrow channels are made into the bone. A titanium post or abutment is then inserted into each one. Titanium is the preferred metal as it is known for being very biologically safe and in fact will integrate with the bone over time in a process known as osseointegration.
Once the abutments are anchored in place, the oral surgeon or periodontist will cover them with a temporary cap.
Your dentist will later take an impression of the area. The impression is sent out to a dental lab where the lab technicians will make a bridge anchored by two crowns. The bridge is designed to match your smile and personal bite pattern.
If you have any questions about getting an implant bridge to replace multiple lost teeth, please feel free to call us at 801.653.0099 to schedule an appointment.
