Details About A Dental Implant To Replace A Lost Tooth

In some cases, even if the right precautionary steps or measures are taken, a tooth could still be lost after being knocked from the mouth. If a tooth is inadvertently dislodged, your dentist will likely suggest that you come to the office for immediate dental care. However, in the interim, the tooth should be rinsed of debris and placed back inside your mouth. If the tooth cannot be placed back in its socket, it can be held in the inner pocket of one of your cheeks until you arrive at the dental office. If placement in the mouth is not possible, the tooth can be kept in a container of milk until you reach your dentist.

Even if you follow all of the precautionary steps, failure to get to your dentist in a timely manner could result in the loss of the tooth. Nevertheless, a tooth that is lost due to trauma can be replaced. One of the most common applications to replace a lost tooth is the dental implant. Here are a few details about the procedure:

What is a dental implant?

A dental implant is a prosthetic tooth root. It consists of a screw or rod that is made of titanium, which is a biocompatible metal. The biocompatibility of the implant is important, since it will have to be accepted by the body without an immunological rejection response.

How is the implant placed?

The dental implant is installed during a brief surgical procedure that involves drilling the implant into the jawbone at the site of the lost tooth. After the dental implant is positioned in the mouth, the implant is allowed to heal over the span of a few months. The healing process, which is called osseointegration, allows the dental implant to fuse with the jawbone. This connection stabilizes and secures the implant in the mouth.

After osseointegration is completed, an abutment and a dental crown are used to cover the dental implant and restore the look and functionality of the tooth.

Can anyone with a lost tooth have a dental implant installed?

In order to be a good candidate for a dental implant, it is important to have enough jawbone density to support the installation of the appliance. Additionally, health conditions that could delay or negatively impact the healing of the implant wound could cause a problem. For instance, unstable blood sugar could prevent an implant from healing correctly and becoming  secure within the jaw bone.

To learn more about a dental implant to replace a dislodged tooth, schedule a consultation with a dentist in your area such as Edens Greg DMD.