Dental implants are made of three major parts: the post, the abutment, and the restoration. The restoration is the part people see when you smile, and the part that makes eating your favorite foods again possible. In today’s blog, your Ankeny, IA, dentist will explain how we create one that looks natural and returns function and beauty to your smile following the loss of one or more teeth!
Inserting Your Posts
The restorations may be what people see, but they need the roots to stay in place. The roots are implants made from biocompatible titanium, so the body accepts them as natural bone tissue and lets them bond with the jaw. This supports them and enables them to last decades, or possibly even a lifetime. In comparison, traditional bridges and dentures need replacement every 5 to 10 years on average.
Preparing and Placing a Restoration
After the posts bond with the jawbone, a process known as osseointegration, we move on with addressing the visible part of your teeth. We attach the abutment to the dental implant. Then, we connect a dental crown. We create the crown based on detailed impressions and measurements taken of your smile, ensuring a comfortable fit and a lifelike appearance. After all, the ceramic we use can be shaded to blend with the rest of your smile seamlessly! Once in place, your crown will look great, and also provide a durable chewing surface, so you can once again consume your favorite foods.
Creating a Prosthetic
A crown is used to address individual missing teeth. But what if you have larger gaps in your smile due to tooth loss? In these scenarios, we simply insert multiple dental implant posts, and then create a custom-made prosthetic. This could include a dental bridge, a partial denture, or a complete denture. We attach them to the implant, so you have a fixed and long-lasting prosthetic to restore the function, health, and beauty of your smile. If you have any questions about how we address minor tooth loss, or about what can be done to help prevent tooth loss in the first place, then contact our team today. Remember, we’re following strict health and safety protocols to ensure you and your family enjoy your visit, and stay safe as well.
Do You Have Questions About Implant Dentistry?
We want to help our patients with one or more missing teeth obtain a strong and lifelike replacement option. To learn more about implant dentistry and custom-made prosthetic options, then please schedule an appointment by calling Peddicord Family Dentistry in Ankeny, IA, today at (515) 963-3339. We also proudly serve patients of all ages who live in Bondurant, Polk City, and all surrounding communities.