A dental implant is a biocompatible titanium post that acts as a new tooth root. But what about the visible portion of your new tooth? After an oral surgeon finishes the implant placement, our team will then create a lifelike restoration to complete your tooth! In today’s blog, your Astoria, NY, dentist will explain how we design and create a crown that offers not just a dependable chewing surface, but a lifelike appearance too.
Preparing Your Smile and Placing Your New Tooth Root
First, we need to examine your smile to assess the cause and extent of your tooth loss. After all, we may need to treat underlying oral health issues to prevent implant failure. We will also look at the strength of your jawbone, as bone tissue breaks down following tooth loss. There should be enough to support a new root, otherwise we may suggest bone grafting or ridge augmentation before moving forward. Using advanced technology, we will choose the optimal placement area and guide the post into your jawbone. Through a process known as osseointegration, the bone tissue will bond with the titanium root, securing it for decades to come.
Designing a Restoration
Once your new root is firmly in place, we will move forward with the restoration. We take detailed impressions and measurements of surrounding teeth, which helps us design a crown that will fit comfortably and also look natural. We often use materials like ceramic, which are durable and able to absorb daily bite forces. We also tint ceramic to better blend with the tooth. When the restoration is ready, you will return to the office so we can complete your new tooth!
Placement
We attach an abutment to the dental implant post. The abutment helps hold the crown firmly in place atop your new tooth. Once in place, you will be able to eat your favorite foods again and your new tooth has the potential to last for decades to come, since placement prevents the loss of jawbone mass and density that follows tooth loss. If you have multiple missing teeth, then we will insert more than one post into each arch, and then attach a custom-made prosthetic, such as a bridge, partial, or full denture. Again, the completed prosthetic will look natural and last longer than most removable alternatives. If you have any questions about addressing tooth loss, or about our lifelike and long-lasting dental implants, then contact our team today. We want to make sure you enjoy a full, functional, and beautiful smile.
Do You Have Questions About Dental Implants?
Whether we’re replacing one tooth or several, we want to make sure they look natural. To learn more about creating lifelike and long-lasting dental restorations, then schedule a consultation by calling Jeffrey Leibowitz, DDS, in Astoria, NY, today at 718-728-8320.
