A tooth implant, also called a dental implant is an artificial tooth, complete with root that is placed in the jaw by a periodontist in Middleton, MA. The root is a titanium insert which is imbedded in the jaw bone, the bone and implant fuse and a crown is then placed on the top of the new “root”. Those patients who have missing teeth may be good candidates for a tooth implant. Not everyone can have a tooth implant; the candidate must be in generally good health, including the teeth, gums and jaw. Depending on the circumstances which are found during the consultation and examination, the periodontist will decide which the best way to go about the task is.
For patients who have only a single tooth missing the periodontist in Middleton, MA will only have to be concerned with one implant and one crown, the implant completely replaces the root and tooth. In the event multiple teeth are missing, the dentist has other options; implants can be fitted which are used as anchors for full dentures or a bridge.
There are patients who may need to have the sinus floor raised as well as the bone to be able to insert implants; this procedure is called sinus augmentation. Additional work will also be necessary if the patient has a deformed upper or lower jaw, this problem will normally be corrected with a bone graft to provide enough solid jaw to hold the implant. The procedure consists of exposing the defective area by lifting the gum; bone from the patient or a substitute bone harvested from a cadaver is then grafted as reinforcement. Once the graft has taken, the periodontist has a stable platform to work from.
When the decision has been made by the patient to go ahead with the implant, the periodontist in Middleton, MA proceeds to perform surgery which results in an anchor having been placed in the jaw bone, this procedure can last several hours. Once the initial surgery has been completed, it may take six or more months for the implant and bone to fuse. Once the implant is secure, a crown is fastened permanently to the top of this new root. This part of the procedure may take a few fittings to get perfect but once done, the patient has a new tooth for life.
