Huntsville Alabama Oral | Facial & Cosmetic Surgery's Blog

What are Dental Implants?

What are Dental Implants?Dentistry today has technically advanced to detect and identify dental damages before it goes out of control. But even these advanced methods cannot prevent people from contracting dental problems like tooth decay and gum disease that lead to tooth loss at an early age. While earlier, people had to live with bridges or detachable dentures that had to be replaced every few years, now permanent dental implants can be attached. These are replaced when original teeth fall off due to cavities or gum problems and provide a strong foundation like permanent teeth.

When and Why are Dental Implants Needed?

Implants are fused to the human jawbone like permanent teeth with roots to provide stable support to dentures and bridges. When dentures and bridges are set up to replace natural teeth then these provide a strong foundation. Implants secure crowns and dentures to the jaws and are made of titanium that is lightweight and biocompatible. Titanium and other titanium alloys are most preferred by the dentists as these are also used as bone transplants in other parts of the body.

 

Dental Implant Procedure

The biological ability of titanium to get easily fused to the bone makes it a great success and these implants provide support to gums, cheeks and jaw bone. The dental implants are made specific to a patient’s needs and are prepared by professionals experienced in oral surgery. First part to be designed in the root implant is designed out of titanium in the shape of a tiny post to hold the tooth that is placed inside the bone socket. After the implant is inserted, it is allowed to heal till it is anchored securely to the jaw. Once the healing is complete a small connecter between new tooth and implant is made to securely hold both of them together. This new tooth known as the crown is attached to the abutment to root or implant.

Dental Implants for Missing Teeth

Endosteal implant

These implants can be placed more securely through surgery into the jawbone by double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon, Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS in Huntsville, AL. After the gum area has healed properly, another surgery is done by connecting an abutment to the implant to hold the crown to root implant.

 

Subperiosteal implant

When the underlying gum and jaw bone are too weak to hold the implant in place then a frame is fitted into the jaw bone area for support. Once the healing is complete and the frame is secure in the jawbone, abutment posts are attached to the frame by oral & maxillofacial surgeon, Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS on which the artificial teeth or crown are affixed to secure them to the jaw. The crowns are designed based on CT 3-dimensional images of the top and low jaws for optimum bite and functionality.

Dental implants create a positive impact for the individual on whom it is performed as it allows them to smile, eat, chew and speak without feeling self-conscious in Huntsville, Alabama.

 

McLain Surgical Arts is a leading cosmetic surgery practice headed by Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS in Huntsville, AL. Dr. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon, offering a variety of procedures such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, facelift, Botox, and laser skin resurfacing. For more information or to schedule a consultation call 256.429.3411 or click here.

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