08 Nov Lost Back Molar: Is a dental implant an option?
The molars are essential to efficient and comfortable oral function. Losing a back tooth can greatly affect the oral health system. This is why replacing a molar with a prosthetic is very important. A dental implant can be used to replace the lost root system of a tooth, including molars. After the initial oral surgery and once the implant stabilizes, it can then support a prosthetic crown, which will provide a stable biting surface for oral function. Our oral surgeon offers dental implants to people in our community suffering from tooth loss.
What makes up a dental implant?
A dental implant is made from titanium. It features a ridged texture and is embedded into the jawbone through oral surgery. Under 10 millimeters wide, an implant resembles a screw and is used to replace the lost root of a tooth. With time, bone will fuse to the implant’s titanium components, thus stabilizing it in place for decades to come.
How durable are dental implants?
Dental implants are incredibly durable for two major reasons. The first being that they are constructed from titanium and the second being that bone integrates and fuses to dental implants so that they become a part of the body. Just like biological roots of teeth, the jawbone will hold implants in place so that they can support dental crowns. If patients maintain healthy bone mass and commit to receiving routine oral healthcare, their new teeth can last for decades, if not the rest of their lives.
Do implants require dietary restrictions?
Once dental implants become stabilized and their permanent prosthetics are attached, patients can eat a full balanced diet without the need for restrictions. After their initial placement, however, a liquid diet is necessary as a patient recovers. Over time, patients will graduate to a soft diet and will ultimately be able to eat whatever they please after the recovery phase of treatment is complete.
To learn more about replacing lost teeth, call our practice to schedule a dental implants consultation with one of our oral surgeons!