Dental implants offer a permanent way to replace lost teeth. Dr. Courtney Villari, your River Forest, IL, dentist at Ovation Dental, explains how implants work.
What are implants?
Dental implants are small titanium posts that are implanted in your jaw. During the first part of the process, your dentist drills a hole in 
your jawbone and places the implant in the hole. Your jawbone begins to grow around the implant over the next three to six months in a process called osseointegration. You won't be able to see the implant during this stage because it will be covered by gum tissue.
When osseointegration is complete, the implant will be just as strong as a natural tooth root. If the bone under the missing tooth isn't deep enough or strong enough to support an implant, your dentist will recommend a bone graft to improve the quality of the bone. This step can add several months to the process.
The next steps
Your dentist will uncover your implant and add an abutment during the next stage of treatment. An abutment is a post that connects the implant to a crown. The crown looks just like a natural tooth and is made of porcelain or porcelain-fused-to-metal. When the abutment is added, you will be given a temporary crown and return to your dentist's office weeks later to receive the permanent crown.
What are the advantages of implants?
Implants offer several advantages that bridges and dentures don't. Dental implants are a permanent tooth replacement option, which means that you'll probably never have replace an implant. Bridges and dentures usually must be replaced several times over the course your lifetime. You'll be able to bite and chew all of your favorite foods when you choose an implant. With dentures, your biting power will be decreased, making it difficult to chew hard foods.
Think dental implants are the perfect solution for you? Call Dr. Courtney Villari,your River Forest, IL, dentist at (708) 689-0149 and make an appointment today. Improve your smile with this superior tooth replacement option!