Having a tooth extracted, knocked out or lost to severe decay can have more serious ramifications than an impaired ability to chew food. The root of the tooth and the surrounding bone tissues used to provide a structural presence that helped hold the surrounding teeth in place. If this structure is not restored, the nearby teeth can start to alter their positions, leading to further complications.
To prevent these complications, many dentists will refer patients to our oral surgeon to have a titanium dental implant installed. This can usually be performed in a single outpatient appointment that requires deep sedation. Afterward, you will need a friend or family member drive you home after the appointment.
To install the implant, your surgeon will make a small incision in your gums to gain direct access to your jawbone. Then, a narrow channel will be made in the bone and a titanium abutment will be screwed into place. Titanium is known to be biologically safe and will eventually fuse to your bones to create a very strong anchor for a future dental crown.
After your gums have healed and the titanium abutment has fused to your jawbone, your dentist can start the process of fitting you for a standard dental crown.
If you are considering having a missing tooth replaced by a dental implant in Waynesville North Carolina, you should call 828-452-1187 to schedule an appointment with Joseph R. Conard, DDS and Kathryn L. Conard, DDS, MS.