If you are missing a tooth as a result of severe tooth decay, damage or extraction, it will certainly affect our appearance and self-esteem. In many cases like this, your dentist, Dr. Brandon Burger, will often recommend using a dental implant to replace the tooth. A dental implant in Hermitage, Tennessee, is basically a titanium abutment that is inserted into the bone. Then, it is covered by a porcelain or porcelain-fused-to-metal crown.
To install the titanium abutment, we will make an incision in your gums. Then, a small hole will be drilled directly into the bone. The titanium abutment will be screwed into place and a hard, plastic, temporary crown will be cemented over the top to protect it. In time, the titanium implant will integrate with the surrounding bone tissues in a process known as osseointegration.
This will create a firm anchor point for your eventual crown. Once this has been achieved, your dentist will cast a detailed impression of the titanium abutment and the corresponding teeth in your personal bite pattern. This will be sent to a professional dental lab where your porcelain crown will be custom crafted.
If you are missing a tooth in your smile, we invite you to call Brandon Burger, DDS at 615-889-8202 to ask about a dental implant. We want to wish you a healthy, happy, smile-filled holiday season!