When a permanent tooth falls out due to trauma or decay, the gap can ruin your smile and cause problems for your other teeth, too. Dr. Michael Cattafesta can replace your missing tooth with a dental implant that looks and feels like a natural tooth at Cattafesta Family & Cosmetic Dentistry in Herndon, Virginia. If you want your beautiful smile back, book an appointment online or over the phone and see if a dental implant is right for you.
A dental implant consists of three parts: a titanium base, a small metal cap that sits on the base, and a natural-looking crown that sits on the cap. The titanium base is inserted into the jawbone, and then the jawbone fuses to it during the healing process. The cap, which is called an abutment, is placed on the base. Finally, the crown, or false tooth, is placed on the abutment.
Your teeth do more than chew your food. When a tooth goes missing due to trauma or extraction, it can cause a lot of problems in your mouth.
First, when there’s a gap in your teeth, your other teeth will start to shift out of alignment. Second, since there’s no pressure on your jaw in that area, your jaw could stop creating new bone cells in that section, leading to atrophy.
A dental implant would take the place of your missing tooth so that your jawbone and other teeth would remain healthy and in place. A dental implant is also the most natural-looking way to replace a missing tooth.
You’ll need a series of appointments at Cattafesta Family & Cosmetic Dentistry to get a dental implant. After Dr. Cattafesta places the titanium base in your jaw, it will take about five months for your jawbone to fuse to it. In the meantime, you’ll wear a temporary denture to protect your gum.
Either during the first part of the implant procedure or after your jawbone has fused to the base, Dr. Cattafesta will place a small metal cap, known as the abutment, on the implant. The abutment holds your crown in place. Once your custom-designed crown is ready, Dr. Cattafesta will remove your temporary denture and place your permanent crown.
You’ll treat your implant like a natural tooth by brushing and flossing it twice a day and getting biannual professional cleanings at Cattafesta Family & Cosmetic Dentistry.
To get a beautiful and healthy smile again, book an appointment with Cattafesta Family & Cosmetic Dentistry online or over the phone, and see if a dental implant is right for you.
