Implants
What is an Implant?
When a tooth is lost due to injury or disease a dental implant can be a long-term option to replace the tooth. Implants restore a natural look and function to your smile. The implant is a screw-like titanium post that is surgically placed into the jaw bone acting as the roots of the tooth. It will typically take 4-6 months for the bone to integrate around the implant threads and become stable enough for the pressures of chewing. Once Dr. Ahrens determines the implant is stable, he will place a crown attached by an abutment to the implant to restore your chewing function.
Implant Process
Implants may seem like a long process but Dr. Ahrens and his team will help guide you every step of the way. Dr. Ahrens uses state-of-the-art technology to prepare to place an implant. He will first take a 3D x-ray of your jaw to determine the precise angle the implant needs to be placed. Once the implant is placed and fully healed in 4 to 6 months, a scan will be taken to have a custom crown fabricated for the implant. Once the crown is screwed into the implant you will have a tooth that looks and functions just like your natural teeth.
Are implants right for you?
Dr. Ahrens will help you to determine the best option for replacing your missing teeth. The success of an implant is determined by many factors. Existing bone thickness and pre-existing conditions like diabetes or smoking are just a few things that can affect how well your bone will heal around an implant. Schedule a consult today to see if implants are right for you.
Look below to see a typical dental implant procedure.
