Dental Implants

Replace missing teeth with Dental Implants Designed like Natural Teeth

For many years, if you were missing teeth, be it a single tooth or many, your only options were to get a dental bridge or to look into denture options. Thankfully, dental technology is constantly evolving, and dental implants were invented. A dental implant is a tooth replacement option offered at Sequoyah Dental Arts in Knoxville, Tennessee, which closely mimics the function and appearance of having a real tooth. Dental implants have become the “gold standard” of tooth replacement options because they can replace the tooth roots beneath the gum line and the crown above. Dental implants are highly customizable and can provide you with a complete smile and full functional capabilities.

The Components of a Dental Implant

When you visit Sequoyah Dental Arts for a dental implant, it will be because you are looking to replace one or more missing teeth. You have likely heard that dental implants are the best tooth replacement option available, but you may not know why. To understand this, let us look at the three components which make up a dental implant.

1. The Fixture: Also called the implant post, this is the part of the implant which is surgically implanted into the jawbone. Because it is in the jawbone, the fixture can mimic the missing root of your natural tooth. Crafted from titanium, the fixture is biocompatible, reducing the risk of your body rejecting the implant. Once inserted into the jawbone, your jawbone will fuse to the fixture, creating a sturdy and strong anchor for the other two components of the dental implant.
2. The Abutment: This small connector piece sitting between the implanted post (fixture) and the prosthetic tooth is crafted to screw into the inside of the implanted post and, on the upper end, adhere to your dental prosthetic (often a dental crown). The type of abutment used will depend on the prosthetic that is needed. A single implant will likely use a crown, but there are also situations where a different abutment could be required if you get implants to support a denture. The abutment may be placed at the same time as the implanted post or attached once osseointegration (the fusion of the jawbone to the implant) has occurred. The timing of this can vary based on your situation.

3. Dental Prosthetic: This is the portion of the dental implant which is visible and mimics the appearance of a natural tooth. The great thing about dental implants is that they can support a versatile range of prosthetics depending on the patient’s need. Implants can support a dental bridge or dentures, or a crown can be attached. Dental crowns are typically used when a single implant is placed or if multiple non-adjacent teeth are replaced. A dental bridge will be used to replace two or more adjacent teeth. An implant-supported denture will be used to replace an entire arch of teeth. While a crown or bridge will be cemented to the abutment, a denture will be snapped onto the abutment.

Receiving Your Dental Implant

Once it has been determined that you need a dental implant and necessary teeth (when required) have been extracted, it will be time to get your implant. The implant will be surgically inserted into the jawbone. Once this is completed, an abutment may also be attached. When the procedure is done, you will go home for recovery, which will take several weeks to months. During recovery, the surgical site will heal, and the jawbone will fuse to the implant through osseointegration. Once this is completed, you will set a final appointment to come in and receive your dental prosthesis, (new teeth) which will attach to the implant.

Once your implant has healed, and your dental crown is in place, the implant should last you a lifetime. You will care for your implant just like a normal tooth, bridge, or denture (depending on your prosthesis). Dental implants truly are the gold standard of tooth replacement options. To learn more about dental implants, please call Sequoyah Dental Arts at 865 973-9899.