Are you curious about how a small metal post could actually replace your missing tooth?
Have you ever wondered how one small metal post could do so much to replace one or more missing teeth? It seems hard to believe that such a tiny restoration could play such a crucial role in the health of your smile. If you have been thinking about getting dental implants from our Greensboro, NC, dentist Dr. Michelle Mottinger, then it’s the perfect time to find out exactly what makes these amazing restorations so effective.
Here are the steps you can expect to go through when you get dental implants:
Step 1: Your Consultation
Everyone who wants to get dental implants will need to undergo a consultation period. This is when you’ll sit down with our Greensboro, NC, cosmetic dentist to find out if your oral health and specific goals align with what implants can offer. We will perform a thorough physical examination, run X-rays to check the health of your jawbone and then also talk to you one-on-one.
Step 2: Placing the Implant
Since the implant takes on the role of tooth roots they will need to be placed into the jawbone. This means that a very small hole will need to be drilled into the jawbone so we can place the implant. While this process may seem rather elaborate and invasive you’ll be relieved to hear that this procedure can be performed right here in our office under local anesthesia and you’ll be able to go home immediately after.
Step 3: The Healing Process
Getting dental implants can take several months but knowing you have a restoration that could last you the rest of your life is worth the wait. During this process, osseointegration will happen. Osseointegration is when the jawbone and tissue regrow around the implant. Once this happens, the implant has become a permanent part of the jawbone.
Step 4: The Abutment is Placed
Now that your implant and jawbone are one, and your mouth has fully healed, it’s time to complete the next part of your restoration: attaching the abutment. The abutment can be made either from metal or tooth-colored material and its sole purpose is to connect the implant (under the gums) with a dental crown. In order for the abutment to be placed, we will need to make a small incision into the gums so that we can secure it on top of the implant.
Step 5: The Crown
During your treatment process, we will also take impressions of your mouth. These impressions will help a dental lab make a crown that will provide the proper fit and look that will blend in with the rest of your smile. Once your crown is made and your gums have healed from placing the abutment, we will then cement or attach the crown into place.
Are you ready to get dental implants in Greensboro, NC? If so, your next step is to find out if your smile is healthy enough for implants. This is something we can determine during your consultation; so don’t hesitate to give us a call and schedule your visit with us today.