A tooth suffering from untreated tooth decay can pose significant problems for the health and function of your mouth. If it’s not addressed in a timely manner, the decay could spread, resulting in the total loss of the tooth. In a situation like this, Dr. [doctor_ name] might need to extract the remnants of the root. Once your gums have healed, he might recommend restoring the tooth with a dental implant.
At your initial consultation, our dentist will examine your mouth and take a few X-rays. This gives us a detailed understanding of the overall health of your mouth as well as the available bone structure in that part of your jaw.
If past issues with chronic gum disease or tooth decay have compromised the bone structure in your jaw, you might need to receive a bone graft. This will restore sufficient structure to mount an implant.
Once any bone structure issues have been addressed, the implant procedure can be performed on an outpatient basis. Most people choose to be deeply sedated for their own comfort, so you will need to arrange to have someone drive you home after the appointment.
To install the implant, a small incision will be made in your gums to gain direct access to your jawbone. A narrow channel will be made in the bone and a titanium abutment will be screwed into place. Titanium is known to be biologically safe and will eventually fuse to your existing bone in a process known as osseointegration.
Once the implant is secure, Dr. Scott Howe can go about fitting you for a dental crown, dental bridge or custom-locking dentures.
If you are missing one or more teeth and you are interested in exploring your restoration options, please call Riverfront Dental LLC at 503.370.7651 to see if dental implants in Salem, Oregon, are right for you.