Dental Implants Like Legos?

Recently I read an article in Dear Doctor, a patient education magazine, written by dental professionals.

The article talked about how crowns attached to implants and they used the phrase dental implants - dental legos due to the fact that there are a few different parts and pieces that go into having a dental implant procedure and the fact that implant components are designed to disassemble if necessary for easy maintenance or repair. We have patient's come into our practice all the time that are unsure of just what a dental implant is, or if it is one piece with the crown or how does it all fit together, so we will clarify today!

Think of a dental implant as a replacement tooth root or the foundation. An implant is surgically placed in the bone of the jaw to which the bone will over a very short time period fuse to the surface of and it then becomes essentially a part of the jaw. All of this happens below the gumline. After the implant has healed a sufficient amount of time, an abutment or short post which has a screw going through it is then inserted into the implant itself since it is hollow. The abutment is then tightened down to a certain predefined force so that it should not come loose unless a special tool is used by your surgeon or general dentist to loosen it. Your crown then, the esthetic part of the tooth, that can be seen above the gumline, is cemented or screwed into place depending on what your dentist decides is best for your oral situation.

Dentistry has come so far and the process of having a dental implant placed should be a safe, predictable procedure now a days if done with an experienced dental team including the dental surgeon, general dentist and lab technician. Dr. Sutor has done over 5,000 implants over the course of his career, so rest assured you are in the most experienced hands in Southern Indiana.

Dr. Sutor believes so strongly in the ability for dental implants to improve your life and health that he has generously offered his implant consultations at no charge to you the patient. Just log onto our website at www.sutordds.com and request an appointment or call us at 812-333-4550. We look forward to being a part of improving your life today!