If you've lost a tooth or teeth due to periodontal disease or injury, dental implant surgery may be a viable option. You have a few dental implant options to replace your tooth or teeth following the surgery.
“Dental implants allow us to replace a single missing tooth,” says Dr. Dino Georgas, a periodontist and HealthChoicesFirst.com partner. “One implant will support a crown. If multiple teeth are missing, we can have a single implant supporting each tooth, or we could place one implant on either end of the space where the teeth are missing and have a bridge placed.”
The Dental Implant Procedure
During dental implant surgery, your periodontist or oral surgeon will place a small metal post into the jawbone. Over time the dental implant post will bond with the bone around it, acting like an anchor to hold your new artificial tooth in place.
“All of these dental implant options will allow you to have something that is non-removable,” says Georgas. “It’s retained like your teeth normally would be, and you can function and eat and smile all at a normal pace, at a normal standard.”
What Are Your Dental Implant Options?
Your periodontist or oral surgeon can help you understand your dental implant options, and determine which type of dental implant surgery is right for you.
“If you’re interested in the implant bridge option, or single teeth implant option, I would suggest speaking to your dentist,” says Georgas. “They can provide an assessment, and from there refer you to the proper sources to determine which is the best treatment option for you.”