How Do Dental Implants Stay In Place?
Dental implants are one of the best tooth-replacement methods out there, but many people find themselves having questions about them. Unlike most body implants, dental implants partially protrude outward from the inside of the body, which may make you feel curious as to how on earth they're staying in place. Dental implants have a reputation for not moving around like other tooth-replacement methods do or can, so what is to thank for this? Read on to find out.
Bone
The first thing that goes to work when your dental implants are put in is the bone of your jaw. It's a strong and resilient bone that is capable of quite a bit when it comes to dental implants.
When your dental implant or implants are put in, a small hole will be drilled into the bone in the jaw so that the implant rests there evenly. This tiny, perfectly measured hole is the first thing that keeps the implant from rocking around. Once it's in place there, it has some initial support.
However, if that was all that the implant had as support, it wouldn't make it. It would definitely move! But your bones have a say in that. Once the implant is in place, the body starts to grow new bone cells in the area where the bone was cut into. These cells form over the implant, fusing it to the bone. Once this process has completed, the implant is rock-solid and won't budge.
Gums
Of course, the process of your dental implant(s) fusing with your bone can take time. In the meanwhile, it's important to have two points where the dental implant is secured -- one on each end.
The hole in the bone takes care of one side of the implant. The other side of it is supported by your gums themselves. While a small incision is made when your implants are put in, it's closed up with stitches around the visible implant nub that sticks out above the gums. After a few days, the gums will heal back together around the implant, helping to secure it on that end. With those two ends in position, the implant can be safe in the mouth until the bone finishes healing around it. Only then will you receive the dental crown that goes on top of the implant.
Dental implants use the body's own healing ability to secure themselves. If you have the answers you need now, don't hesitate to get dental implants to replace your missing teeth with dental implant services.
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