Why are dental implants important?

Missing a tooth isn’t just bad for your looks; it can also be bad for your health! Healthy teeth play an important role in the body from head to toe. When you are missing teeth, your jawbone deteriorates, your face thins with time, and your self-esteem and diet can suffer, all of which negatively affect the health of your entire body. Dental Implants look, feel, and function like natural teeth and are widely recognized as the best replacement method.

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How Dental Implants Work

Our bodies are truly amazing, considering their ability to coexist with various native and foreign materials. “Osseointegration” refers to the fusing of bone with titanium material. It was discovered in the 1940s and 50s when Swedish physician Per-Ingvar Branemark observed that titanium fuses so well with bone that it is nearly impossible to remove. Since then, the biocompatibility of titanium has proven itself to be amazingly reliable over and over again.

What is a SINGLE-TOOTH implant?

An implant includes three pieces: the implant itself (a titanium screw that is placed within the jawbone), the abutment (a connector between the implant and crown), and the crown (the part that is visible and looks like a tooth). Dr. Zakaria will place the implant and the abutment, but your general dentist will complete the crown.

Time is of the Essence

You may be surprised to hear that your jawbone is much like a muscle, which must be stimulated regularly to maintain its mass. Therefore, the jawbone begins to deteriorate almost immediately when a tooth is extracted (or falls out naturally). Studies show a 25% decrease in bone width within a year of tooth loss. Thankfully, dental implants can replace natural teeth to provide the stimulus the jaw needs. If done early, the need for bone grafting down the road is greatly reduced.

How much does a single tooth implant cost?

While the upfront cost of a dental implant is usually more expensive than other alternatives, such as bridges and dentures, dental implants outlast those approaches by several decades. This increased longevity makes implants the more affordable choice in the long run. For further information, visit our dental implant cost page.

Dental Implants: The Process

  1. Consultation and Treatment Plan: During the initial phase of the dental implant process, imaging and your medical and dental histories are gathered to give us a clear picture of your current health. We will then explore your treatment options to formulate a plan that ensures that your health goals and budgetary needs are met.
  2. Extraction: If applicable, the next step is to extract the tooth in question. In some cases, we may be able to place the implant at the same extraction time. In others, bone grafting is required before implant placement (see next step).
  3. Bone Grafting: It is fairly common for the jawbone to lack the mass needed to accept an implant. In this case, a bone graft will be performed to strengthen the target area. Bone grafting is typically followed by several months of healing before placing the implant.
  4. Dental Implant Surgery: During the procedure itself, a titanium screw is inserted into your jawbone. You will be anesthetized for comfort during the surgery, which takes about 1-2 hours.
  5. Osseointegration: After placing the implant, we cover it with the surrounding soft tissue and let it sit for 3-4 months to fuse with the bone.
  6. Final Restoration: After complete osseointegration, an abutment is placed within the implant to connect it with the final crown restoration. Typically, a general dentist performs the final restoration.

Browse Dr. Zakaria’s book for the results Dr. Zakaria can achieve. Our Facebook albums and Instagram pages have more pictures.