People can lose teeth due to accidents, cavities and gum disease. It is very upsetting for a person to look into a mirror and see a smile with a large gap in it. A dentist in Eagan, MN can explain to their patient that dental implants are the best way to replace a missing tooth. A dental implant is a titanium cylinder that takes the place of a tooth root. It is inserted into the jaw and then topped with a dental crown. Once the procedure is complete, the implant and crown function like a natural tooth.
The dentist will take an x-ray to make sure that the bone is able to support the implant. If the person was in an accident, the jaw may have been damaged and weakened. The bacteria that cause gum disease can also eat away at a person’s jawbone and compromise it. If the jaw is too damaged or weak to hold an implant, then an oral surgeon can repair the jawbone and augment it with a bone graft. Depending upon the damage, it can take several months for the jaw to heal. During that time, the patient can wear a temporary bridge.
The placement of the dental implant is an important factor in its success. The dentist in Eagan, MN has to take another x-ray to determine the location of adjacent tooth roots and nearby nerves and blood vessels. All of these should be avoided to give the dental implant the best chance of success. Dental implants are made of titanium, because the body easily accepts it and there is very little chance of rejection. Once the dental implant is inserted into the jaw, it is covered with a flap of gum tissue. It takes about eight weeks for the jaw to completely incorporate the dental implant.
The gum flap is then removed and a gold post is attached to the dental implant. A impression is taken and used to craft the dental crown. It is then cemented into place. The Dakota Dental and Implant Center is one of the facilities in the Eagan area that inserts dental implants. They are happy to discuss the procedure with people who are interested in it.
