How Do Dental Implants Stay in Place?

At Stonegate Family Dentistry, we help many patients with missing teeth restore their oral functionality (and their smiles) by performing dental implants. It’s not rare that we get asked ‘But how do dental implants stay in place?’ by patients wanting to make sure that their dental implant is secure and will be with them for a very long time. 

In this article, we’re going to go into detail about how dental implants stay in place and how reliable they are so you can be more confident about how well dental implants can function just like natural teeth.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are titanium cylinders that resemble a screw. They are surgically placed into your jawbone during a tooth restoration procedure by a dental surgeon. 

After the implant is placed, it fuses with your jawbone in 3-6 months and eventually becomes as stable as (if not even more stable than) the roots of your natural teeth.

Once the dental implant is stable enough, your dentist will fit the abutment and then the crown, thus completing the tooth restoration procedure. 

Things to Avoid During the Healing Process

1. Smoking

Smoking can decrease the chances of success when you are getting a dental implant and prevent the implant from properly fusing with the jawbone. Therefore, it is advisable that you quit using tobacco products before and after the dental implant procedure. 

2. Applying Pressure on the Implants

While the dental implant is in the process of fusing with the jawbone, you should avoid applying pressure to it. Applying too much pressure can cause the implant to come loose. Therefore, you should be mindful when eating crunchy or hard foods and wear a mouthguard if you are playing any contact sports. 

What Happens if I Have Severe Bone Loss?

In severe cases of gum disease and tooth decay, the jawbone can be so badly affected that it can no longer support a dental implant. The solution to this problem is called bone grafting. 

Through bone grafting, the oral surgeon can take a piece of bone from somewhere else in the body and place it in the jawbone to increase its density and ensure that there is enough bone mass to support a dental implant. 

The procedure is carried out under anesthesia and does not cause any pain or discomfort.

Once the bone graft is integrated into the jawbone, you will be able to go ahead with the dental implant procedure and fully restore your missing teeth. 

At Stonegate Family Dentistry, we specialize in all types of dental procedures including dental implants. If you would like to know more about how we can help, please call Dentist in Murfreesboro TN at (615) 624-6919, book an appointment online, or visit us at 206 A N Thompson Lane, Murfreesboro, TN 37129.