Dental Implants

When losing a tooth, the options for replacement may seem daunting.  Dr. Mack Wright is an expert in tooth restoration and offers dental implants for patients seeking to cover a missing tooth. 

Tooth loss does more than cause a gap in your smile.  Losing the root of the tooth has a major impact on the health of your jaw and face.  Tooth roots are designed to handle the pressure forces of chewing, and those sensations stimulate the jawbone to maintain bone density.  When the root is lost and the sensation ceases, bone density begins to deteriorate (up to 25% in the first year alone).  The longer the jaw is missing a root, the more the bone density declines.  If you have ever noticed the sunken look of the cheeks in a person who has several missing teeth, this the direct result of bone loss in the jaw.  The muscles of the cheek begin to sag.

A dental implant replaces the tooth and the root together using three components.  The screw is placed where the root used to be in a minor surgical procedure in the office.  An abutment is placed on top of the screw for attaching the replacement tooth.  The replacement tooth is a custom-made crown, typically made of porcelain. 

When the implant is placed, a temporary crown is placed while the jawbone heals.  In three to six months, the permanent crown is placed with stronger cement.