When patients hear that dental implants look and feel like natural teeth, one of the first questions they ask Dr. Khan is “How do dental implants work?” Implants are non-removable and permanent tooth replacements attached to artificial roots. They offer numerous benefits besides looking more natural than removable dentures, such as fewer food restrictions and the ability to speak more clearly. If you’re missing some or all of your natural teeth, schedule an appointment with Dr. Khan to find out if dental implants are right for you.
Receiving Your New Dental Implants
During your first appointment, Dr. Khan inspects the area of your mouth where you want to get a dental implant to ensure that it is strong enough to support the artificial tooth root and the implant. In preparation for getting implants, he may need to complete a bone graft if you have inadequate bone structure to use for support. After your initial examination and bone graft if you need it, the next step is for Dr. Khan to install your artificial tooth roots, also called abutments. These are tiny rods made from titanium that he screws directly into your jawbone.
It may take several months for your jaw to heal and for the abutments to fuse properly. In the meantime, you need to schedule regular appointments with Dr. Khan so he can check on the progress of your healing. Once he feels satisfied that it has occurred, he attaches the replacement teeth to the rods. The result is a smile that looks completely natural and the return of your mouth to full functionality.
Before he attaches your new teeth to their abutments, Dr. Khan makes sure that they match the shade of your remaining teeth as closely as possible. With dental implants in place, your remaining teeth won’t shift into the open spots and cause problems with your alignment. They also won’t cause you embarrassment by falling out and you care for them just as you do your natural teeth. Please contact us today to learn more.
