One of the most common treatments for a person who has missing teeth is Dental Implants in Lincolnwood, IL. Dental implants can be an ideal way to replace lost teeth with dental prosthesis that not only look natural but feel natural as well. This can make them a great choice for anyone, but especially for people who have had difficulties with other types of replacement teeth that might have been uncomfortable or even painful in their mouth.
When a person first visits a dentist, such as Saul Legator DDS, about replacement teeth he will generally need to spend some time examining the patient’s teeth, gums and jaw. The dentist will need to do this to ensure that the patient is a good candidate for this type of treatment. Much of the decision will depend on the condition of the patient’s jawbone. This is because implants are placed into the jawbone. Since a patient who has missing teeth will lose bone mass in their jawbone, the dentist will need to ensure there is sufficient mass to hold the implants.
If the dentist decides the patient is a good candidate for Dental Implants in Lincolnwood, IL the next step will be performing surgery to place the implants in the jawbone. This is generally done in the dentist’s office while the patient is under local anesthesia. During this minor operation, the dentist will be placing rods made of a biocompatible material, such as titanium, into the patient’s jawbone. After the surgery, the dentist will need to wait a period of months while the rods and the jawbone bond together in a process referred to as osseointegration.
One the jaw and the rods are bonded, the dentist will then be able to affix custom designed dental prosthesis or appliances permanently to the implants. This can include prosthesis such as crowns, bridges or dentures. The prosthesis will be the portion of the implant that most people will see and they are designed to look like the patient’s original teeth.
With the new dental implants, the patient will be able to resume normal activities almost immediately. Eating, laughing, speaking and smiling will be easily done using the new dental implants. Most patients will find that their prior self-confidence issues or embarrassment over the way their teeth looked is quickly gone once they have their new replacement teeth.
