When you lose a tooth, it impacts your daily life in a number of ways. Smiling and talking in front of others may feel embarrassing without your tooth, while chewing the healthy foods you used to enjoy becomes challenging. Dental implants in Norman are the best option for tooth replacement that dentistry has to offer, but how do you know if they’re right for you?
What is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is essentially comprised of three parts:
- The implant: which is a titanium post that is surgically placed into your bone
- The abutment: which is used to attach the crown to your implant
- The porcelain crown: which takes the place of your missing tooth
All of these components work together to closely mimic your natural tooth and deliver the function you once had, while aesthetically completing your smile.
The Process
In order to ensure the success of your implant, the process does take some time. The good news is that Dr. Bobby J. Carmen can complete your entire implant procedure here in the comfort of our own office. This saves you from dealing with other providers throughout your treatment.
Dr. Carmen will surgically place the titanium implant into your bone, and then give it time to heal. It takes 3-4 months for the implant to fully heal and integrate with your bone. This process is known as osseointegration, and it ensures that your implant crown will have a secure and stable foundation.
After the appropriate healing time has passed, Dr. Carmen will customize a porcelain crown to attach to your implant and restore your smile. With your crown you’ll be able to eat, chew, smile, and talk as you were used to doing.
The Benefits of Dental Implants
The secret to the high (95%) success rate of dental implants lies in the fact that they replace both your root and your tooth. When your root is missing, your bone begins to dissolve, or resorb, which eliminates support for your healthy remaining teeth and can lead to more loss. The implant works to keep your bone healthy and stimulated.
When your tooth is missing, your teeth will shift into the open space, which causes bite misalignment, and increases your risk for damage and fractures to your teeth. Your implant crown offers optimum function and protects your teeth from shifting.
Implants also offer great longevity, as with excellent home care and regular dental checkups, they can potentially last for a lifetime.
Contact Dr. Carmen
If you’re living with a missing tooth, there is hope! We’d love to discuss your options with you. Contact our office today to schedule your consultation and learn more about dental implants.