Dental implant placement and Dental implant crowns are used to replace missing or damaged teeth and to provide abutments for partial or complete dentures. At Buckingham dental Dr. Burden performs all oral surgery. He works in tandem with Dr. Buckingham to provide the highest level of care to our patients. Implant placement is a permanent solution and your new tooth will look and feel just like your natural teeth.
Implant placement is done over several appointments and takes several months. This is because your jaw must be prepared and heal after each step leading up to the actual placement. The implant consists of three main components: the post or cylinder which is placed into your jawbone and replaces the root of the tooth, the abutment or post extension which is placed or screwed into the post, and the artificial tooth, also known as a crown, which is fixed onto the abutment. All three components work together to secure the implant and with proper care they will stay in place for many years.
What Can I Expect?
Placement of dental implants is done over the course of several visits. At the first visit Dr. Burden will talk to you about your general health, all medications you are taking, and what to expect during the process. The damaged tooth must be removed and your jaw must be prepared to receive the post. If your jawbone is thin or weak, you may need a bone graft. If you need a bone graft you must wait until the graft is ready and ossified into your jawbone.
After your jawbone heals Dr. Burden will place the post into your jawbone and let it heal up before proceeding. This may take several months. The next step is to place the abutment. This is a metal post which is extends the implanted metal post. You may be able to receive the abutment at the same time the post is placed.
After you heal Dr. Burden will take molds of your teeth so that the lab can fabricate a crown which matches the shape and color of your natural teeth. You may receive a temporary crown while you wait for yours to arrive. Once the new crown is ready the doctor will place it and you will have a new tooth that looks and feels just like your natural teeth.
After Care
You may experience some pain and tenderness as well as swelling right after the placement, but these symptoms should clear up in a few days. Be sure to contact us if you experience a fever or a lot of pain. Your new dental implant should be cared for just like your natural teeth. Keep up on your oral hygiene habits at home and be sure to visit the doctor every six months for your regular checkups.
You don’t have to suffer from missing or broken teeth. Today’s dental implants give you a natural looking and permanent solution. Call or contact us today and ask about our dental implant options.