What Is Dental Implant Restoration?
By Barry Kurzer | Published on August 13, 2010 | 0 Comments
Dental implant restorations are a fantastic way for people with otherwise problematic teeth to achieve perfectly straight, healthy smiles in just a matter of months. According to Barry Kurzer DDS, a specialist in the field of dental implants in Midlothian, Virginia, a restoration procedure is perfect for anyone who is missing a single tooth in a visible location in the mouth.
The total restoration is one of the final stages of the dental implant process, and it typically occurs four to six months after the dentist has actually placed the implant in the mouth. At this point, a new crown or bridge will be put over the implant to “restore” the smile.
As a dentist with years of experience, Kurzer says that dental implant restorations are a dream come true. Because he was practicing for years before dental implant restorations were even an option for patients, he has seen just how much improvement a person can have with his or her smile thanks to this innovate technique.
Before dental implant restorations became commonplace, the only option to replace one or more missing teeth was to place a removable partial denture or an expensive fixed bridge. Both of these options were tedious and uncomfortable for the patient, which is why so many dentists have been so impressed with how well dental implants are working these days.
If a person has a single tooth that is missing near the front of the mouth, then that can be replaced with a single implant shaped like the root of the tooth. These single implants are small, root shaped fixtures made of titanium. Kurzer says that they are usually about five millimeters is diameter, and 11 to 15 millimeters long.
After these single dental implants are placed by an oral surgeon, the patient’s mouth is usually allowed to heal for four to six months. During this time period, the mouth has the chance to really connect to the implant as well, and a dentist can then come in and put a crown on the single implant tooth. If numerous dental implants are put in during the procedure, then a dentist would put in a fixed bridge after that four to six month period.
The benefit to having a fixed bridge put on an implant, as opposed to conventional bridge work, is that the implant acts as an anchor to keep the entire bridge stable. Therefore, the bridge or crown fits snugly over the implant and the patient finally has an oral device he should actually be able to eat comfortably with.
From the dentist’s point of view, dental implant restorations are great because they allow patients to have great-looking smiles without the threat of decay. The implants themselves do not wear down, and patients no longer have to worry about a number of dangerous oral conditions.
Kurzer tells us that a good candidate for a dental implant restoration would be anyone who is in good health, and also has an adequate amount of bone to place the implant in. Of course, even people who do not have enough bone are not necessarily ruled out for dental implant restoration. Dentists like Kurzer can also place dental implants with the help of a bone grafting procedure.
Bone grafting is a fascinating area of the dental implant field, and Kurzer tells us that it was not even an option five to 10 years ago. Because of that, many patients who were turned away and deemed unsuitable for dental implant restorations 10 years ago could theoretically come back and begin the process for a fitting today. Thanks to the constantly evolving technology involved in dental implant restorations, the number of people who are candidates for this fantastic oral procedure is growing every year.
*Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.