Dental implants give many people a reason to smile.

When injury or disease results in tooth loss, a dental implant can mirror the look and feel of a natural tooth so closely, even a patient may have a hard time telling the difference.

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that a periodontist places into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge.  Dental implants are an ideal option for people in good general oral health who have lost a tooth or teeth due to periodontal disease, an injury or some other reason.  Under proper conditions, including proper placement and diligent patient maintenance, implants can last a lifetime.
Single Tooth Replacement

One implant and a crown can replace a single missing tooth.  A dental implant replaces both the lost natural tooth and its root.

Dental implants provide several advantages over other tooth replacement options.  In addition to looking and functioning like a natural tooth, a dental implant replaces a single tooth without sacrificing the health of neighboring teeth.  The other common treatment for the loss of a single tooth, a tooth-supported fixed bridge, requires that adjacent teeth be ground down to support the cemented bridge.

Because a dental implant will replace tooth root, the bone is better preserved.  With a bridge, some of the bone that previously surrounded the tooth begins to resorb or deteriorate.  Dental implants integrate with the jawbone, helping to keep the bone healthy and intact.

In the long run, a single implant can be more aesthetic and easier to keep clean than a bridge.  Gums can recede around a bridge, leaving a visible defect when the metal base or collar of the bridge becomes exposed.  Resorbed bone beneath the bridge can lead to an unattractive smile.  And, the cement holding the bridge in place can wash out, allowing bacteria to decay the teeth that anchor the bridge.

Placing an Implant

The process for placing an implant basically occurs in three steps.  First, the implant which looks like a screw or cylinder, is placed into the bone under the gum.  The implant is actually screwed into a hole that has been drilled into the bone.  Over the next two to six months, the implant and the bone are allowed to bond together to form an anchor for the artificial tooth.   During this time, a temporary tooth replacement option can be worn over the implant site.

It takes approximately four to six months for the bone to grow around the implant fixture, during which it’s important that patients comply with an oral hygiene routine.  According to the JADA patient guide, hygiene includes brushing flossing and regular dental visits to help monitor bone growth.

During the second step, the implant is uncovered so that an extension may be attached.  This small metal post, called an abutment, completes the foundation on which the new tooth will be placed.  The gums are allowed to heal for a couple of weeks following this procedure.  Some implant systems do not require the second step because these systems use an implant which already has the extension piece attached.

Finally, a replacement tooth called a crown is created by a dentist and attached to the abutment.  Well-anchored, the dental crown can restore confidence and functionality.

Because dental implants are intimately connected with the gum tissues and the underlying bone in the mouth, periodontists are the dental experts who specialize in these areas and are ideally best suited to implantation.  Periodontists work closely with other dental professionals, possess special knowledge and training, and work in facilities that can support their work.  A periodontist can also advise patients on the best implant system.

Dental implants truly offer hope and restored confidence to patients.  With the guidance of a trusted periodontist, patients will find the process easier to navigate, and eventually, worth the time.

Kitsie Hendrix, D.D.S. - Kitsie Hendrix, D.D.S. graduated from Emory University School of Dentistry, subsequently earning certification in periodontology from the University of Pennsylvania. A periodontist,  Hendrix specializes in gum and dental implant surgery and has practiced for over 27 years.  Passionate about people, Hendrix has traveled worldwide providing free dental care through mission work.