Dental Implant Temporary Tooth

Dental implants are one of the most popular options selected by people who seek to replace one or more missing teeth, providing a long-lasting, stable, comfortable, and natural-looking restoration. Because of the longer healing time, however, people may be curious about the time that can elapse when they may not have a tooth or teeth present in the affected area. In most cases, a temporary tooth replacement can be provided for the patient to use while the implant heals. To better understand these temporary replacement options, it’s helpful to understand the overall dental implant process.

A dental implant is made up of two or three separate parts, depending on the type of restoration. The implant itself is a small, screw-like cylinder, usually made of titanium, that is surgically implanted in the bones of the jaw. The implant serves as the anchor for a dental crown, which is the replacement tooth itself; the dental crown either affixes directly to the implant or to an abutment that is attached to the top of the implant. Before implants can be placed, the patient must first be assessed by an implant specialist, who will evaluate the health and quantity of the bone and determine whether implants are a good idea. Some patients require bone grafts to build up the amount of available bone and create a more suitable environment for a successful implant. If a bone graft is needed, the graft must fully heal before the implant or implants can be placed.

Once the bone has been determined to be stable and strong, the dental implant is surgically implanted into the bone in the jaw, where it will serve as a root for the replacement tooth or bridge. Implant fixtures are made of biocompatible material that fuses with the surrounding jawbone as it heals, in a process called osseointegration. This creates a stable and secure foundation for the replacement tooth, and it also provides the added benefit of stimulating the health and strength of the surrounding bone. Osseointegration usually takes a few months to fully occur. When implants are placed in the upper jaw, it is not uncommon for healing to take as long as 6 or 7 months, while implants in the lower jaw often heal within 4 or 5 months. It is imperative for the bone to fully heal and fuse to the implant to guarantee that the dental restoration is able to succeed over the long term, withstanding the various forces that are placed on the teeth when eating, talking, and otherwise using the mouth. Once osseointegration has occurred and the implant is fully secure in the bone, your implant specialist will expose the surface of the implant from beneath the gums and put a healing cap on the implant, and the gums are then allowed to heal around this cap, forming the proper contour for the gumline. Once the gums have healed in place, the implant dentist will place the abutment onto the implant. Then, the dental crown is affixed to the implant, using the abutment as a securing fixture.

Healing time depends on many factors and will vary from patient to patient. Especially when the missing tooth or teeth are in the front of the mouth, visible when the patient smiles or speaks, temporary replacement options can be an important part of the treatment plan. One temporary replacement option is the flipper denture. Flipper dentures are also called removable partial dentures, and they are secured into the mouth the same way a retainer would be, with a custom sculpted acrylic piece that holds the artificial tooth in place. Patients should remove their flipper denture for eating, and the flipper denture should also be removed and cleaned nightly. The Essix retainer, which is made of clear plastic that fits over the top of the natural teeth, is similar to the flipper denture in that it holds a replacement tooth and uses the natural contour and tissues of the mouth to hold the tooth in place. A temporary bridge uses the teeth adjacent to the missing tooth to support a bridge that holds a replacement tooth in place. Temporary bridges do not damage the adjacent teeth and are durable options that can stay in the mouth while the patient is eating, which may appeal to some patients. While less common, some patients may also receive a temporary crown, or even a permanent crown, shortly after the implant procedure is completed, though this depends on the type of procedure and may not be an option for everyone.

Your dentist will give you specific instructions to facilitate healing and protect the implant and temporary replacement tooth. In general, it is best to avoid hot foods, alcohol, hard or crunchy snacks, and foods that commonly leave behind trapped debris, like nuts or popcorn. Dentists also advise against using straws while implants heal, and it is important to refrain from smoking while implants heal. Stay hydrated, drinking plenty of water, and focus on a diet of soft yet nutritious foods. Also, be sure to gently clean around the implant area regularly, as directed by your dentist, to ensure the long-term success of your dental restoration.

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