Implants
An implant is another technique for replacing a missing tooth. A titanium implant is surgically placed into the bone in the area of the missing tooth. The unique biological reaction between titanium and bone allows fusion of the bone to the implant. This interaction results in a solid anchorage of the implant, which can then be treated as a normal tooth would be after a crown is cemented or screwed onto the implant.
Advantages of an implant over a bridge include being easier to clean, longer lasting, and does not require preparation of the adjacent teeth. In this sense, an implant can be brushed and flossed in the same way as any other tooth.
However, the implant process does take a longer period of time to complete than a bridge because the bone needs to heal around the implant after it is placed for around 2-6 months depending on the location. The surgeon will skillfully placed the implant into a carefully determined location that provides adequate bone as well as proper alignment to complement the surrounding teeth. During the healing phase the implant is generally covered by the gums and not visible in the mouth. After the implant integration with the bone is complete, the implant is exposed and an abutment, which is basically a post that connects the crown to the implant, is placed. After an impression, the crown is ready to restore the implant abutment within two weeks.
