Dental Implants Specialist

What is a dental implant?

A dental implant is a tiny post that works like an artificial tooth root. Your dentist embeds it in your jaw with a surgical procedure. 

Dental implants are biocompatible, so your body doesn’t register it as a foreign substance. Instead, the bone tissue in your jaw actually fuses with the implant as you heal from the procedure.

This process, called osseointegration, makes your dental implant function just like a natural tooth root, providing a strong and stable foundation for your dentist to attach a crown, bridge, or dentures.

What are the advantages of dental implants?

Dental implants replace your missing teeth, which helps to prevent a variety of oral health problems, like shifting teeth, uneven force in your bite, and difficulties speaking and eating.

The biggest advantage of dental implants is that they replace your tooth root, which is responsible for providing your jawbone with healthy stimulation. When your jawbone isn’t properly stimulated, the bone tissue eventually deteriorates or resorbs, which can leave your jaw weak and fragile and give your face a sunken-in appearance. 

What happens when I get dental implants?

Your dentist at Columbia Dental can install your dental implants in a couple of office visits over the course of a few months.

During your first visit, your dentist inserts the implant in your jawbone. It takes a few months for your jaw to heal from this procedure, during which time your implant fuses with your bone tissue.

Once you’ve healed from the initial placement surgery, your dentist fits the implant with a small post, or abutment. Your abutment connects to your implant and sticks up out of your gumline, where it eventually connects to your restoration, like a crown, bridge, or dentures.

After your abutment is in place and your mouth has healed again, your dentist takes an impression of your smile and sends it to a lab that builds your restoration. 

When your restoration comes back from the lab, your dentist seals it to your implant, completing the tooth replacement process.

Get started with your dental implants today by scheduling a consultation with Columbia Dental. You can book your visit by calling the office or using the online tool.

Are you looking for a dentist in the city of Elizabeth or the town of Roselle? Book an appointment with us today!