Dental Implants services offered in Ontario, OR
If you have one or more missing teeth, dental implants are an excellent replacement option. Implant dentistry is an area of specialty for Ben Peterson, DDS, and the team at High Desert Dental in Ontario, Oregon. When you’re ready to learn more about the dental implant procedure, call to check appointment availability or schedule online in just moments.
Dental Implants Q & A
Why replace missing teeth?
A gap in your smile can certainly make it hard to feel confident about your appearance. However, missing teeth present a far more urgent problem.
Each of your natural teeth are anchored directly within the underlying bone tissues. When you bite down or chew, you stimulate that bone tissue, keeping it healthy and strong.
Losing a tooth means you also lose that stimulation. The bone tissue beneath the missing tooth can begin to wear away in a process called resorption. That can weaken the connection between adjacent teeth and bone and can be the beginning of a cascade of tooth loss.
What are dental implants?
Dental implants are a permanent tooth replacement option. Because implants are positioned directly within your bone tissue, they provide the stimulation needed for healthy bones.
Dental implants consist of an implanted post that replaces the root of a natural tooth. An artificial crown replaces the visible portion of the missing tooth. Some systems use a small piece called an abutment to connect the post and crown.
You can get a single dental implant to replace one missing tooth, or have an entire upper or lower span of false teeth anchored by just four upper or lower implanted posts. These types of implants offer a great alternative to dentures.
What should I expect when getting dental implants?
The first step involves treatment planning. Advanced dental imaging gathers information about your teeth and bone tissue. This gives Dr. Peterson the ability to assess whether you have enough healthy bone tissue to anchor the implant.
On the day of your procedure, you’ll receive numbing medication to eliminate sensation in the treatment area. Dr. Peterson begins by creating an incision in your gum tissue to access the underlying bone.
A small pilot hole is drilled to guide the positioning of the post. Once the post is secured in place within your jaw bone, the gum tissue is closed around the post and a temporary crown is attached. A period of healing follows, giving your bone tissue time to fuse to the implanted metal post.
Once the healing is complete, you’ll return to have the crown attached. This completes the implant process, and the only thing that remains is for your gum tissue to attach to the sides of the new crown.
When you’re ready to learn more, call High Desert Dental to set up a visit, or schedule using the easy online booking page.