Kingston TN
Are you living with tooth loss? If so, you are not alone. Data from the American College of Prosthodontists shows that millions of Americans have lost at least one permanent tooth. When it comes to replacing a missing tooth, a dental implant represents the premier option available in restorative dentistry. No other tooth replacement option looks, feels and functions more like a real tooth. If you are considering an implant to replace your lost tooth, we feel it is important to understand every aspect of the process, as this is a significant procedure. Read on as, today on the blog, your implant dentist in Kingston goes through the entire dental implant process.
The consequences of tooth loss
Just one missing permanent tooth has multiple effects on you. It creates a gap in your smile, making you self-conscious. You also lose some of your ability to chew, which impacts your nutritional choices. Losing one tooth also makes you more susceptible to additional tooth loss. Eventually, the supporting bone structure begins to deteriorate where the tooth resided in your mouth. This process occurs due to resorption, as the body absorbs the cells in that area of the jawbone to allocate them elsewhere.
A dental implant is the only method of tooth replacement that prevents this deterioration of the jawbone. This is because of the implant screw itself, which is surgically inserted into the jawbone and provides the stimulation that previously came from the tooth root.
The steps in the dental implant process
- The consultation – Before any work begins on an implant procedure, you will meet with your dentist in Kingston. At this appointment, your dentist will evaluate your current oral condition, as well as your dental and medical history, to ensure you have no pre-existing issues that may disqualify you from receiving an implant. Gum disease, lack of bone density in the jaw or using tobacco are common reasons that may prevent someone from an implant.
- The implant placement – The installation of the implant screw into your jawbone is a type of oral surgery and, like any surgery, this is a serious procedure with a certain amount of risk. This is why your Kingston implant dentist carefully reviews your medical history and oral health. You will receive a local anesthetic to numb the treatment area, ensuring you will not feel any discomfort. Once the implant screw is installed, you may experience some mild discomfort and swelling; this is common and usually manageable through an over-the-counter pain medication.
- The recovery – Next, you wait as the implant screw fuses with your jawbone. Each person heals differently, but this recovery time can take three to six months. Make sure to follow all the recommendations from your Kingston dentist. A typical care regimen during recovery from implant surgery includes eating a diet of soft foods, avoiding physical exertion, getting proper rest, maintaining the recommended regimen of oral care and keeping up your schedule of any dental appointments.
- Completion – Once the implant has fused with your jawbone, you return to our office in Kingston. An abutment is attached to the top of the implant and that abutment connects to a dental crown, which completes your new implant. LakeView Dental Arts can complete a crown in a single appointment, thanks to our CEREC technology. The crown is matched to the shape and color of the other teeth in your mouth, allowing your replacement tooth to blend seamlessly with your smile.
Implant dentistry in Kingston, Tennessee
Stop living with tooth loss. LakeView Dental Arts can restore your smile with a beautiful, durable dental implant. If you’re interested in receiving an implant to replace your missing tooth, the next step is to schedule a consultation. To do so, just call (865) 376-9687 or complete our appointment form online.
