What is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is a permanent tooth replacement option that looks and feels natural. An implant is made of three parts:
- Titanium fixture: The fixture is the part of the implant that acts as an anchor, keeping the tooth in place.
- Abutment: The abutment is the middle piece that attaches the crown to the fixture.
- Porcelain crown: The crown is the only part of the implant that people will see. It’s made to look and function like a natural tooth, so it’ll blend in with the rest of your smile.
It’ll take two visits to place your dental implant: one for the titanium fixture and another for the abutment and crown. The reason for two visits instead of one is that the fixture needs time to heal and form a strong bond with your jawbone in a process called osseointegration.
The Benefits of Dental Implants
With a dental implant, you won’t have to worry about having a missing tooth. Living with an implant is easy because it can withstand your daily life.
You can eat anything you want with a dental implant so you won’t have to limit your diet by avoiding foods you love. A dental implant enables you the freedom to choose.
A dental implant also keeps your jaw strong and oral health safe so you won’t be affected by the consequences of a missing tooth. Your health can stay intact, protected by your dental implant.
Dental implants are also easy to take care of — all you have to do is brush and floss your teeth daily to keep them clean. Visiting the dentist every six months also ensures your implant will stay in its best condition.
Dental Implants for One Tooth
One missing tooth may not seem like a big deal, but it can affect your whole-body health. Your entire mouth is more vulnerable to oral diseases because of the unprotected area where your tooth used to be.
The empty socket leads directly into your body — that’s why having something to replace your tooth is so important. Your other teeth can also begin to shift into the empty space, throwing off the alignment of your mouth and creating the potential for jaw issues like a TMJ disorder.
Missing a tooth can also reduce your self-confidence because of the appearance of your smile. A dental implant blends in naturally with the rest of your teeth so your smile can be fully restored.
Replace Your Missing Tooth Permanently
You don’t have to live with a gap in your smile. A natural-looking dental implant can make it seem like you never lost a tooth in the first place.To learn more about dental implants, call our office at 412-664-1112. You can also fill out the contact form at the bottom of the page and we’ll get right back to you.