Dental Implants in St. Paul MN
What are dental implants?
Dental implants are dentists’ preferred tooth replacement treatment for comprehensively restoring your natural oral function. A dental implant tooth replacement looks, feels, and functions like natural teeth. Unlike any other prosthetic replacement, implant teeth replace both the crown and the roots of a missing tooth.
A dental implant tooth replacement consists of three parts: the implant screw, abutment, and restoration. The implant screw replaces the tooth roots and holds the abutment post. The restoration attaches to the abutment to replace the tooth’s visible part. Implant restorations can replace a single tooth, multiple teeth, or an entire row of teeth.
Dental Implant Screw
The primary component of the tooth replacement is a dental implant screw. The screw replaces the roots of a missing tooth and creates a permanent bond with your jawbone. Most dental implants are made of titanium, a biocompatible metal that fuses with your jaw in a process called osseointegration.
Abutment
An abutment serves as the connector between the implant and the restoration. For a single tooth replacement, the abutment will hold an artificial crown that replaces the visible part of your missing tooth. Neither the implant screw nor the abutment is visible to the naked eye once you receive the final restoration.
Implant-Supported Restoration
The most common restoration for a dental implant is a dental crown. Dental crowns are made of porcelain or zirconia. Dental cement bonds the crown and abutment together, creating a solid foundation to support your bite force. The implants can also support prosthetics to replace multiple teeth, including implant-supported dental bridges and implant-supported dentures.
Whether you have cracks, chips, or missing teeth, our experienced dental team can restore your smile. We help patients like you love their restored smiles all the time, so don't hesitate to reach out to us.
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How long does a dental implant tooth replacement take?
Our team at Associated Dentists utilizes the most advanced dental technologies to deliver optimal results in every dental implant procedure. However, every patient’s treatment timeline differs based on your case details, health history, and personal preferences. In some cases, implant placement procedures only take one appointment, whereas other patients will require several appointments over several months to complete the process.
The most significant factors in determining your overall procedure timeline include the number of implants being placed, placement locations, and strength of your jawbone in those locations. The more implants, the longer your recovery, and some implant placement locations heal faster than others. Bone grafting may be necessary for the placement locations if your jawbone lacks sufficient strength to support the implants.
Time is of the Essence
If you have missing or damaged teeth, don’t wait to get an examination and determine the best treatment option. After losing a tooth, your jawbone loses 25% of its bone mass in the first year. The quicker you replace your missing teeth, the more likely you won’t need bone grafts on your jaw. Contact our office and schedule a consultation today to learn about replacing missing teeth with dental implants in St. Paul, MN.