Dr. Vernon Sheen offers dental implants to his patients in his Annapolis, MD dentist office. If you’re missing one or more teeth, dental implants are the best option. Dental implants are the most natural-looking and advanced solution for the replacement of missing teeth.
A dental implant actually refers to a titanium post that is surgically placed into the jaw bone beneath the gum line to serve as the artificial root for the prosthetic tooth.
The dental implant is restored with a dental crown if you are missing a single tooth, with a dental bridge if you are missing several teeth in a row, or with dentures if you are missing a whole row of teeth. Dental implants do not come loose like dentures and can last a lifetime if cared for properly along with regular dental visits.
Dr. Sheen works with the leading oral surgeons and periodontists in the Annapolis, MD area to ensure the best results for his patients. Dr. Sheen treats the patient from start to finish, bringing in specialist and surgeons for key aspects of the procedure. Their expertise in placing implants means that the patient will receive the highest level of care.
Parts of a Dental Implant
A dental implant consists of a tiny, titanium post, the abutment, and the prosthetic tooth. The post supports the prosthetic tooth and acts as a tooth root, stimulating healthy bone growth which reduces the risk of jaw shrinkage; a common side effect of untreated tooth loss.
Implant post – This is the bottom part of the dental implant that is surgically imbedded into your jaw bone, below the gum line. It is cylinder shaped and resembles a screw. It’s made up of bio-compatible titanium that will eventually fuse to the jaw bone creating a permanent and secure bond.
This titanium post will act as the tooth root. Dr. Sheen will coordinate the surgical phase of your dental implant procedure with a local Annapolis, MD oral surgeon who will perform the implantation of the post.
Abutment – This is a small part that connects to the implant post. Dr. Sheen will connect the abutment to the implant post after it has fully fused to the bone. It usually takes around 3-6 months for the implant to fuse with your jaw bone. The abutment will screw right on to the implant post and will sit right at the gum line. This part will support the dental prosthesis.
Prosthetic tooth – Dr. Sheen will attach the dental restoration in his Annapolis, MD dentist office. The prosthetic tooth will be a dental crown for a single missing tooth. The dental crown is typically cemented or screwed on to the abutment. A dental bridge or denture will be used for multiple missing teeth.
They can be secured to the abutment by simply snapping them in to place. The prosthetic tooth is the part that will look like a tooth (teeth) and will be color matched to blend seamlessly with your natural teeth.