Dental Implants

What Are Dental Implants?

A natural tooth consists of a root and a crown. If you compare natural teeth to implant-supported replacement teeth, you’ll see they have the same basic parts. Both have a crown (the visible part used to chew food). Both have a root that holds the tooth securely under the gum and is anchored into the jaw. The difference is that the implant is made of titanium – the same time-tested material used by surgeons for artificial joints. When you lose a tooth, you lose both the root and the crown. To replace the tooth, the surgeon first replaces the root with a small dental implant.

Time is allowed for the bone to heal and grow around the dental implant. The bone bonds with the titanium, creating a strong foundation for artificial tooth.  A support post (abutment) is then placed on the implant and a new replacement tooth (crown) is placed on top of the abutment. 

The SURGICAL PROCEDURE 

The placement of dental implants more often than not, involves two surgical procedures.  First, implants are placed within your jawbone.  For the first three to six months following surgery, the implants are beneath the surface of the gums gradually bonding with the jawbone.  Dr. Boghossian will work with your dentist to make sure that you have a temporary tooth if needed.  At the same time, your general dentist is working closely with a lab and fabricating  the crown. 

After the implant has bonded to the jawbone, the second phase begins.  Dr. Boghossian will uncover the implant (three to six months after implant placement, as stated above).  We call this procedure Stage 2.  Your implant will be exposed (uncovered) and a healing cap is placed over it for your dentist to see.  These will act as an anchor for the artificial tooth.  The entire procedure usually takes six to twelve months.  Most patients experience minimal disruption in their daily life.