What are dental implants?

You are undoubtedly familiar with the concept of implants in general. Simply put, implants of any kind are the replacement of something in the body.

In dentistry this means the replacement of a tooth or teeth with an artificial one. No, we don't clone teeth and then plant them in your mouth. Implants are made of a metal and are placed in the bone where the missing tooth was.

The implants look like screws in many cases but they are not often screwed into the bone. They are placed in the bone in a minor procedure that by all accounts is no more uncomfortable than having a tooth removed (which presumably you survived since you had at least one out).

Because the implants are made of such compatible materials to the body, the bone actually grows around and even into the implant, essentially making it a part of your body.

Once this has taken place, the dentist can finish the process by placing a crown on the top of the implant. Presto! New tooth.

Unlike bridges which require teeth on either side of the missing tooth to be drastically cut to hold a false tooth, implants don't require changing any other teeth. You can brush and floss around them and they should feel like your own tooth.

They have the ability to last the rest of your life. The crown may need to be replaced if it is damaged from time to time, but the implant itself can last indefinitely.

At Pleasant Dental we don't place implants. We prefer the surgeons to do this for us. We believe this gives a superior result since the surgeons are completely dedicated to the surgical process and help assure excellent results.

We create the smile or bite on the implant by making the crown that covers it. If you see it, we did it. The part you don't see, we don't do.

If you need a tooth or teeth replaced and want something that will stay permanently in your mouth, call us at (708) 849-4400.



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