Dental Implants

If you have one or more missing teeth, dental implants offer a permanent replacement solution. Implant dentistry is an area of specialty for Suzette Nikas, DDS, and her team at Hazel Dell Dentistry in Carmel, Indiana. To explore the dental implant process in more depth, schedule a visit online or call the friendly office staff today. 

Why do missing teeth need to be replaced?

Missing teeth make it hard to feel confident about your smile and can limit your opportunities in career and social settings. But there are also significant dental health issues that come with missing teeth.

Each of your natural teeth are anchored directly within the underlying bone tissue. When you bite down, you stimulate that bone, which is essential for keeping it healthy and strong. 

Losing a tooth means losing that stimulation. The bone begins to wear away in a process called resorption. This can weaken the connection between your adjacent teeth and bone, causing a cascade of additional tooth loss. 

What are dental implants?

Dental implants are a permanent replacement for missing teeth that are natural-looking. Because implants are anchored in your jaw bone, they preserve bone health while also filling a gap in your smile. 

You can have an individual dental implant to replace just one tooth or a system that replaces an entire upper or lower span of teeth using just four implanted posts called All-on-4®. 

Dental implants are made to last a lifetime. They consist of a metal post that replaces your natural tooth root, a crown that replaces the visible surfaces of your teeth, and in some cases, a small piece called an abutment that connects the post and to the crown.  

What is the process for getting a dental implant?

The planning stage is a critical part of successful implant dentistry. Your dentist gathers digital imaging and a specialized software program creates a customized implant plan. This system gives your dentist the precise angle that offers the best implant option. 

On the day of your procedure, an injection of numbing medication ensures you won’t feel a thing during your experience. Your dentist makes an incision in your gum tissue to access the underlying bone.

A small pilot hole guides the post placement. Once the post is in place, your provider closes the surrounding gum tissue around the post, and a period of healing begins. 

It takes more than a month for your bone tissue to fuse to the implanted post. At that point, you return to have the crown portion of your implant attached to the post, completing the restoration. Your new implant looks and functions just like your natural teeth.

The team at Hazel Dell Dentistry has the skills and experience needed to perform simple and complex teeth replacements. Call today to schedule a one-on-one consultation or book online in just a few moments.