Dental Implant Temporary Tooth
You’ve probably heard of dental implants, especially if you’re missing one or more of your natural teeth and are researching your replacement options. Dental implants are a popular solution for millions of people who are missing teeth, but one of the things that makes them so popular is how natural they look and feel. Dental implants are small cylinders that are surgically placed into the jaw, where the roots of natural teeth once were, that support dental crowns and other dental prosthetic restorations. The reason implants look and feel natural is that the dental implant functions in essentially the same way as the healthy root of a tooth, supporting a dental prosthetic by serving as a secure, permanent anchor. The feature that makes this anchor permanent, however, is essential to the success of the overall implant procedure: the implant is made of a biocompatible material – usually titanium – that fuses with the bone, and, as the bone heals, the implant becomes a permanent part of the jaw. This healing process, which is called osseointegration, takes anywhere from a few to several months to complete, and complete osseointegration is integral to the overall success of the implant treatment. This means a prolonged healing time, which may leave you wondering what your smile will look like while the implants heal. In almost all cases, there are options for temporary replacement teeth that you can wear while your dental implants heal.
If the tooth you are replacing is in the back of your mouth, you may not need a temporary replacement tooth; the tooth is not visible when your mouth is closed, and your dentist is likely to recommend a modified diet or altered chewing technique during healing, so you won’t need the tooth to chew. If you’re missing a tooth in the front of your mouth, however, there are multiple options for you to maintain the appearance of your smile while you wait for your new, permanent tooth or teeth. If you’re missing one tooth and are waiting for a dental crown, your dentist may recommend a flipper denture. The flipper denture is also known as a removable partial denture. Made of acrylic, the flipper denture is held into the mouth with a molded base, like a retainer, that holds the prosthetic tooth in place. The Essix retainer is made of clear plastic or polyurethane that fits over the natural teeth, kind of like a clear dental aligner like Invisalign. The Essix retainer holds an artificial tooth in the appropriate place and is an affordable option for many people.
When there are natural teeth still present in the mouth and the supporting bone is sufficiently healthy, dentists may recommend a temporary bridge to replace your missing teeth while your dental implants heal. A temporary bridge, which is also made of acrylic, uses the teeth adjacent to the gap to support an artificial tooth, and a sticky bridge, also known as a Maryland bridge, uses winglike attachments and temporary cement to adhere the bridge to the backs of the adjacent teeth. The Maryland bridge is designed to remain securely in place for the duration of the healing period and can be removed when it’s time to place your new dental implant crown. With some types of implant treatments, and in some cases, it may be possible to affix temporary implant crowns shortly after surgery. These teeth are intended for cosmetic purposes and should not be subjected to any pressure as the implants heal; because of obvious risk related to this, not all implant patients can receive temporary implant crowns.
If you are replacing a tooth near the back of your mouth, you may agree that a temporary tooth isn’t necessary for you while you wait for your new tooth. If you would prefer to have a temporary replacement for that tooth, ask your dentist about options, and either way, be sure to communicate with and listen to your dentist to ensure the safety and integrity of your surgical site as it heals. If you have decided on dental implants because you’re tired of your removable dentures, sit tight – you can usually wear your existing denture while the implants heal, and you’re likely to find that the implants were worth the wait. In any case, if you’re thinking about replacing one or more of your missing natural teeth, or if you’ve decided it’s time to replace your uncomfortable, inconvenient removable dentures, your dentist can work with you to devise a treatment plan that can ensure you a lifetime of comfortable and confident smiles.