What is a dental implant?
A dental implant is an artificial root of a tooth, placed into the jaw to hold a replacement tooth. Dental implants look and feel like natural teeth, and with proper care, they can be a long-term solution for tooth replacement. Dental implants can replace a single missing tooth, several adjacent missing teeth, or your entire arch.How will the implant be placed?
Dr. Bak will use the latest technology to develop a treatment plan unique to your specific needs. Our Green low-dose CT scan machine allows for digital planning of implant placement, so we can show you the outcome of the implant before starting the treatment. Next, the implant will be placed into the jawbone. Dr. Bak uses the most highly regarded implant system on the market to ensure the best and most reliable outcome for his patients. After placement of the implant, your jawbone will grow into it through a process called osseointegration. Once the jawbone has fused with the dental implant, a titanium device called an abutment will be placed. The abutment allows for the new tooth to attach to the implant. Typically, the replacement tooth is placed by your general dentist. The entire dental implant process—including extraction, integration of the implant, and periods of healing—can take up to several months depending on your treatment plan. Do you have anxiety about dental implant surgery? Fear no more.Advantages of Dental Implants
Appearance: The replacement teeth that dental implants are built to hold will appear identical to your surrounding teeth. No one will know you have a replacement tooth. Reliability: The success rates of dental implants are highly predictable. When placed by a periodontist and with diligent at-home maintenance, a dental implant can last for many years. Confidence: Because they are secured into the jaw, dental implants function like natural teeth, allowing you to confidently smile, speak, and eat. Comfort: Dental implants fuse into your jawbone, becoming permanent. Unlike dentures, they will stay comfortably in place and do not require messy adhesives. Improved Oral Health: Because the adjacent teeth are not affected by dental implants, your long-term oral health is not compromised. Maintain the integrity of your remaining teeth: In addition to looking and functioning like a natural tooth, a dental implant replaces a single tooth without sacrificing the health of neighboring teeth. This is because the alternative treatment for loss of a single tooth is a “bridge,” which requires that the adjacent teeth be ground down to support the cemented bridge.