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| Dental Implants |
Crowns and conventional bridges or dentures may not be your only options when replacing missing teeth. For some people, dental implants offer a smile that looks and feels very natural.
A dental implant is a metal device designed to replace missing teeth. The device is made out of titanium and is surgically placed into the jawbone where the tooth is missing. Unlike a removable denture, an implant is permanent.
Surgically placed below the gums over a series of appointments, implants fuse to the jawbone and serve as a base for individual replacement teeth, bridges or a denture. Implants offer stability because they fuse to your bone, a process called osseointegration. Integration of the implants into your jaw also helps your replacement teeth feel more natural and some people also find the secure fit more comfortable than conventional substitutes. Candidates for dental implants must have healthy gums and adequate bone to support the implant.
Reasons For Dental Implants
• Replace a missing tooth
• Maintain healthy bone levels
• Help support overdentures
• Keep the look and feel of a real tooth where one is missing
How Does An Implant Work?
The entire implant process is performed over the course of a few months. In our practice, we work closely with a specialist who has advanced training in oral surgery and dental implant placement.
The first part of the process is to install the implant itself, where a screw is placed into the jaw bone. An incision is made in the gum so that the implant can be inserted. Multiple implants can be placed at once if necessary. After the implants are placed the gums are sutured.
The implant must be allowed about 3-6 months to heal, and during this time the jaw bone will form around the implant in a process called osseointegration. During this healing time you can have temporary crowns installed so that you can eat and speak normally and maintain a proper aesthetic appearance for your smile.
After the implant has healed it is time to place an abutment on the implant. At this point in time you will return to our office and Dr. Young will prepare your implant for the restoration. The abutment serves as the base for your new tooth. Once this is placed an impression of the abutment is taken and is used to create your permanent restoration. When the restoration is completed you can return to the office to attach the restoration permanently. Your smile will look just like it used to, and after a short period of getting used to the implant it will feel just like one of your own teeth.
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Salem Family Dentistry
Joni Young, DMD
422 Lancaster Drive NE
Salem, OR 97301
P. 503.581.8004
F. 503.391.5493
Business Hours
Monday 9:00 am - 5 pm
Tuesday 9:00 am - 5 pm
Wednesday 9:00 am - 5 pm
Thursday 9:00 am - 5 pm
Friday - Sunday CLOSED
New Patients Welcome!
Proudly serving:
Salem, Aumsville,
Silverton, and Keizer.
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