Loosing a tooth can be hard on the remaining teeth because it allows them to loosen and gradually shift position. This makes the exposed teeth susceptible to other problems such as decay or the possibility of also falling out. Thankfully, an Implant Dentist in St Peter MN can avoid this concern using some amazing dental procedures. Replacing multiple teeth can be handled with dental appliances such as bridges or dentures, but the loss of a single tooth is a more difficult issue. In fact, the only reliable way to fill in the gap from a missing tooth is with a dental implant.
An implant is actually an artificial root used to anchor a crown. However, there is much more to dental implants than this simple statement can express. The actual implant uses an inert material such as titanium or plastic which gets inserted into the jawbone. This means that the bone needs to be strong enough to handle the stress of biting and chewing. Plus, the jawbone must have enough tissue to securely hold the implanted material. If the patient has a thin jaw, then the implant dentist in St Peter MN may suggest the use of bone grafting. This is the application of additional bone tissue over the affected area, and the amount of tissue depends on the density of the existing bone.
The most common type of implant uses a fairly large stud to anchor the crown. However, some dentists use a technique known as minimally invasive implants. This procedure uses a thinner stud and can be performed in most offices. The dentist will use a small drill to create a hole in the bone. The anchor is then inserted and allowed to heal before being covered with a crown.
Another use for dental implants is to anchor a prosthesis. For example, a bridge is usually secured to one or more teeth, but this process requires the removal of a portion of the tooth used as the anchor. This process causes damage and decay to these teeth because of the removal of the protective enamel. Implants are also a great way to secure dentures. Loose dentures can reduce both gum and bone tissue, but a denture that is secured with an implant minimizes this concern. Contact us to learn more about the benefits of dental implants.
