Given how large of a role sugar and processed foods play in most Americans’ diets, it should come as no surprise that many people in today’s society are missing one or more teeth. Thankfully, modern dentistry has provided those who suffer from missing teeth with a far better solution than the dentures of decades past; today, dental patients can get Implants in Cranford NJ to replace their missing teeth with new, artificial teeth that both look and feel just like their natural ones. Read on to find out what to expect before heading in for an implant procedure.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants consist of three main components: a titanium screw, which is surgically implanted into the patient’s jaw bone where it can then become integrated with his or her natural bone structure, an abutment, and an artificial crown, which will be permanently affixed to the implant using dental cement after it has healed. Dental implants require several visits to the dentist and as long as several months of healing time, but with proper care, they can last a lifetime.
The Initial Consultation
The first thing a dentist will do if his or her patient wants to get an implant is to determine whether or not the patient’s jaw structure will be able to support it. Not all patients are good candidates for this procedure right off the bat. Some need to have bone grafts and soft tissue grafts before getting a dental implant to ensure that it will be able to osseointegrate appropriately into the jaw.
The Surgery
During the implant surgery itself, the screw is placed into the patient’s jawbone and left to heal for several months. Once the patient has healed and his or her jaw bone has begun to grow around the implant, a dentist can place an abutment. The implant crown can then be permanently attached to the abutment, usually somewhere around nine months after the initial surgery.
Get Started Now
Want to learn more about dental Implants in Cranford NJ and the dedicated professionals who surgically implant them? Visit Westfield Oral Surgery or call to schedule an initial consultation today to get the ball rolling.
