If you have gone through the difficult and awkward experience of missing a tooth or a set of them and you should know that there is no reason why you have to keep feeling awkward during social occasions. There are several options which worked wonders for people who have lost a tooth, the first is to have a custom-made denture that as you may imagine is a removable appliance which simulates the look and feel of natural teeth, this option is not too popular amongst young people and those who have a very active social life because of obvious reasons.



The second option is often considered to be the best one because it is a more adequate to the replacement technique, the second option is referred to as a dental implant. Unlike dentures dental implants are not removable once they are put in place so you don't have to worry about feeling embarrassed in front of friends or family members if for some reason your "teeth" were to accidentally come out.

-- The implant process

During the first step, the dentist cleanses the area and makes a small orifice which will serve as a guide for the screw which will anchor the implant to the jawbone, once the infant has been put in place it is carefully covered in order to prevent food or any other particles from entering this sensitive area.

After the implant has been covered the gum is that secured over the implant at the patient enters a waiting period which usually lasts between three to six months, this is the required amount of time for the implant to bond with the jawbone, this process is referred to as "Osseointegration" -- during this timeframe the patient is given drugs in in order to alleviate any pain or swelling that may result as a side effect of this procedure, it is also recommended that during this period the patient should keep a soft foods diet such cold drinks and hot soups.

The next step involves the placement of an anchoring point which is called a post, the gum will be allowed to heal around the post that is bonded with the implant, in some cases the post and the implant are a single piece which are put in place during the first surgery. The final step involves the placement of the Crown which is the outermost part of the implant which will replace the missing tooth; the Crown is custom-made and will match the shade of white of the rest of your teeth, when the Crown is put in place and is attached to the post the implant is consider a success but, the crucial part of the entire process is that which involves the bonding of the implant to the jawbone. Dental implants can successfully replace missing teeth bring a bag full functionality of the oral structure.