Dental implants in downtown Chicago are used to replace teeth that have been extracted or fallen out. They are artificial tooth roots that can support restorations like crowns, bridges or dentures.
What Is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is a post that looks like a screw. It is made of titanium which can fuse with the jawbone over a monthslong process known as osseointegration. Titanium is also biocompatible, which means the body won’t reject it.
What Can the Patient Expect During the Procedure?
Getting a dental implant actually takes at least two visits. After making certain that the patient has enough bone to support the implant, the dentist will use IV sedation or anesthesia to keep them comfortable. After accessing the jawbone, the dentist will drill a hole and place the implant. They will take an impression and send it to the dental lab to have the restoration made. The dentist will place a temporary crown on the implant. During the next appointment, the dentist will bond the restoration to the implant.
Why Would Somebody Need a Bone Graft Before Getting a Dental Implant?
Teeth stimulate the production of new bone cells and thus keep the jawbone strong. When somebody loses a tooth, the body both stops producing new bone cells in that area and reabsorbs the bone that is there. That part of the jawbone thus becomes thin and weak over time.
If somebody tries to get a dental implant several years or even decades after losing a tooth, the dentist may find that they don’t have enough bone to support it. The patient will thus need a bone graft to strengthen the existing bone. It usually takes six months for the bone graft to heal. The dentist will then place the implant.
Contact South Loop Dental Specialists or visit the website to learn more about dental implants in downtown Chicago.
