A dental implant is a titanium post that is inserted into the bone. A crown can then be constructed to attach to the implant to replace the missing tooth. Implants are proving to be a very effective way of replacing teeth as they are free standing and do not require other teeth to support them.

When implants were originally invented, four to six months of healing was required for the implant to fuse to bone, before a porcelain crown could be attached to it. With today's newest technologies, some situations can have a crown placed on it immediately.

Latest research is showing that after ten years the success of implants is approximately 90%. But the porcelain crown may have to be reviewed for replacement.

 

The part of jaw bone where teeth have been lost is covered by a layer of intact oral soft tissue (mucosa).

 

 

The soft tissue layer is incised and retracted to expose the underlying bone surface and the socket that receives the implant is prepared for drilling.

 

 

An implant is placed in the prepared socket and the overlying soft tissue is sutured back to its original position. The implant site allowed to heal for 4 to 6 months during which the implants surface and the surrounding bone fuse together, a biological process called "osseointegration". Implant surface and bone fusing as seen together under the microscope.

 

 

At the end of the healing period, the soft tissue covering the top of the implant is incised again to expose the top of the integrated implant. An extension, (abutment) is placed on the implant such that it stays above the soft tissue level. The soft tissue is allowed to heal for 2 to 4 weeks.

 
The dental prosthesis (in this case a crown) is constructed and connected to the underlying implant structures by means of screw retention or cementation. The patient can now chew with the implant — supported prosthesis.

Click here to see an example of an implant in the Achieving Your Perfect Smile section.

 

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