A dental implant is a titanium post (like a tooth root) that is surgically positioned into the jawbone beneath the gum line that allows your dentist to mount replacement teeth or a bridge into that area. An implant doesn’t come loose like a denture can. Dental implants also benefit general oral health because they do not have to be anchored to other teeth, like bridges.

Think of dental implants as artificial tooth roots, similar in shape to screws. When dental implants are placed in your jawbone, they bond with your natural bone. They become a sturdy base for supporting one or more artificial teeth, called crowns.

Modern dental implants have been used successfully for over 30 years. They are the strongest devices available to support replacement teeth – and even better, they allow these new teeth to feel, look and function naturally.

When performed by one of our trained and experienced dental implant dentist, dental implant surgery is one of the safest and most predictable procedures in dentistry.

A dental implant is made up of 3 parts:

  1. Implant post – This is the bottom part of the dental implant that is surgically implanted into your jaw bone. It sits just below the gum line. It is cylinder shaped and resembles a screw. It’s made up of bio-compatible titanium that will eventually fuse to the jaw bone creating a permanent and secure bond. This titanium post will act as the tooth root. Drs. Covington and DuRant will coordinate the surgical phase of your implant procedure with a local Beaufort, SC oral surgeon who will perform the implantation of the post.
  2. Abutment – This is a small piece that connects to the implant post. The implant post requires 3-6 months to heal and fully fuse with your jaw bone. After that, an abutment will be connected to the implant post. The abutment will screw right on to the implant post and will sit right at the gum line. This part will support the dental prosthesis.
  3. Dental Restoration – The prosthetic tooth can be a dental crown for a single missing tooth. The dental crown is typically cemented or screwed on to the abutment. A dental bridge or denture will be used for multiple missing teeth. They can be secured to the abutment by simply snapping them in to place. The prosthetic tooth is the part that will look like a tooth (teeth) and will be color matched to blend seamlessly with your natural teeth.

Types of Dental Implants

Learn More About Dental Implants

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If you currently suffer from missing or broken teeth, dental implants are a great way to restore your smile. To find out if you are a candidate for dental implants, call 843-986-0177 or schedule an appointment with Lowcountry Family Dentistry in Beaufort today.