Why Immediately Replacing A Missing Tooth With An Implant Is In Your Best Interests

Dentist Blog

It's logical to think of dental implants as something that requires time to plan. From removing an unsalvageable tooth to deciding that an implant is the best replacement option, to having implantation surgery, to having the implant's prosthetic tooth attached—the whole process takes several months. But there are some emergency situations when dental implant services can be useful, with the implant immediately replacing a missing tooth.

The Tooth Is History 

A dentist will do everything within their power to restore an existing tooth. This isn't always possible, and in cases when a knocked-out tooth can't be replanted, or the tooth has decayed past the point of no return, the tooth will soon be (or already is) history. It's actually far simpler to immediately replace a missing tooth with an implant.  

The Guide Hole

Dental implants are placed directly into your jaw, which then heals around (and integrates with) the titanium alloy screw (which is the actual implant). This typically involves the dentist making a small guide hole in your gingival tissues and jawbone. The implant is then inserted into this guide hole. But for a brief window of opportunity after tooth loss, your body creates a natural guide hole. 

The Empty Dental Socket

If bone and gingival tissue are given time to heal after tooth loss, the empty dental socket closes over. Your gums will literally close over the socket. But provided your dentist acts quickly, this empty socket can act as a guide hole for implantation. The implant's titanium alloy screw is inserted directly into the socket, extending through your gingival tissues to the bone. The implant must fuse with the bone, and while this may take several months, a temporary (though immediate) prosthetic tooth can be attached to the implant. This immediate method is far less invasive from a patient's point of view.

The Temporary Crown

You must be cautious to minimize the bite pressure this temporary crown experiences because it won't be as strong as a permanent crown, and it's still integrating with your jaw. This involves being careful with what you eat (nothing too hard or chewy), and favoring the other side of your jaw when it comes to chewing. You'll need to attend several follow-up appointments to check the progress of your healing, but provided you follow your dentist's instructions, your immediate dental implant will soon have the strength of a natural tooth root. And once the final prosthetic tooth is attached to the implant, this will replicate the strength of a natural tooth.

For a lot of patients, it might take some time before they even decide to proceed with a dental implant. And then there are those cases when time is of the essence, and it's actually less invasive for you to make a decision on the spot. You might only be without a tooth for a matter of hours before the implant and its temporary prosthetic tooth are in place.

Contact a dentist for more information about dental implants.

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16 March 2022

Give Yourself the Gift of a Beautiful Smile

If you are someone who hesitates to open your mouth when you smile because you are embarrassed about your teeth, you should know that there are a number of cosmetic techniques that can give you a beautiful smile you will be proud to show to the world. As a cosmetic dentist, I have seen many clients transform their lives simply by fixing their smiles. This blog is meant to encourage people to find out about the possibilities in cosmetic dentistry so they can feel good about their smiles. A beautiful, confident smile really can change your life. I would love to show you how.