Dental implants are a permanent and appealing solution to replace missing or extracted teeth. They are often preferred to other alternatives like bridges because no additional teeth need to be altered to place the new tooth.
The implant process is performed over the course of several months. The first part of the process is to install the implant itself. To do this, patients will schedule an appointment with us, at which time a screw is placed into the jaw bone. Multiple implants can be placed at once if necessary.
The implant must be allowed about 3-6 months to heal, and during this time, the jaw bone will form around the implant in a process called osseointegration. During this time, your Bemidji dentist can install temporary crowns so that you can eat and speak normally and maintain a proper aesthetic appearance for your smile.
After the implant has healed, it is time to place an abutment on the implant. The abutment serves as the base for your new tooth. One this is placed, an impression is taken and is sent to the lab to create your permanent restoration. Once the restoration is completed, you can return to the office to attach it permanently. Your smile will look just like it used to, and after a short period of getting used to the implant, it will feel just like one of your own teeth.
