Restore Your Smile With a Dental Implant Procedure

If you’re missing one or more teeth, your dentist can restore your smile with an implant procedure Nashville TN. Unlike dentures or bridges, implants are long-term tooth replacement options that provide excellent support and stability.

During your initial consultation, your dentist will evaluate your overall oral health and the number of teeth you’re missing to determine the best tooth restoration option for you. This may include a partial denture, a removable bridge, or an implant-supported fixed bridge or crown.

A permanent dental implant is a metal post that’s surgically placed into your jawbone, where the natural root of a tooth would be. The titanium implant helps to replace the tooth’s root, thereby strengthening the bone and making it more likely to last a lifetime.

Your dentist will also determine whether or not you are a good candidate for the procedure, considering factors such as your overall health, facial structure, and any previous dental work. Generally speaking, implants are best for people with good overall health who have lost one or more permanent teeth due to trauma or decay.

Once you are a good candidate for the procedure, your dentist will prepare your implant. This includes removing any old fillings or crowns from the area, placing a temporary crown over the tooth, and taking impressions of your mouth.

Then, your dentist will place the dental implant into the jawbone in the location of the missing tooth. The implant is usually made of titanium, which is a biocompatible material that integrates well with the jawbone and gums.

The Implant and Its Healing Process

After the implant is placed, it goes through a process called osseointegration. This process, which can take several months to complete, ensures that the implant will have a solid base for an artificial tooth (dental crown).

Once the osseointegration is complete, Dr. Daccache will uncover the implant and attach small posts that protrude through the gums, acting as anchors for the artificial tooth.

This step requires a second surgery that typically takes a few months to complete. Once the gum tissue has healed, Dr. Daccache will remove the healing cap and place an abutment on top of the implant.

When the abutment is in place, it’s time to cover it with a tooth-colored crown that looks like a natural tooth. The crown can be made to match the color of the existing teeth or be white, silver, gold, or porcelain.

Depending on your needs, you might be able to have the tooth replacement implant procedure Nashville TN completed in a single visit. This might be possible if you have sufficient bone to support the implant and no active infection or severe gum disease.

If the bone isn’t sufficient for a tooth replacement, you might need to undergo a bone grafting procedure before your implant surgery. This can be performed in the office or in a hospital.

The dental implants Nashville TN will take about 3 to 6 months to heal and become fully integrated into the bone. During this time, you will need to follow a soft diet, and your dentist will recommend pain medications. It is also important to maintain good oral hygiene habits, including brushing and flossing. Regular visits to your dentist will help you avoid complications.