How Do Dental Implants Stay In Place?
Dental implants are one of the most popular methods for replacing missing teeth out there, but they can leave people with a lot of questions when they're first learning about them. For example, how exactly do dental implants stay in place and support all of the chewing and grinding that you do to your teeth on a daily basis? If you've had these questions, here's what you need to know.
Waiting
One of the first things you should know is that your dental implant won't automatically start supporting an artificial tooth and being used for chewing. Your dentist will place the implant first and then that will be allowed to stay by itself so that it can fully heal and incorporate itself into your mouth. So that's the first answer.
Your Gums
The second answer is that your gums support the dental implant. Part of the healing process is letting the gums seal up around the implant and then fuse together again.
When you have an implant put in place, the gums are cut open and the implant is slid into them. Then stitches are used to close up the gums around the implant, only leaving the very top of it exposed. Over the days to come, your gums will start to heal together and the tissue will essentially fuse into one piece around the implant, supporting it from the top and keeping it in position.
Your Bones
However, your gums wouldn't be able to support everything that a dental implant needs all on their own. That's where your own bones come into play.
The dental implant extends down deep into the jaw and reaches the jaw bone itself. When it does this, it allows the body the opportunity to grow new bone cells around the implant, supporting it from the bottom. This bone support will grow even stronger once you start to chew on the implant, as the pressure naturally stimulates the body to grow more bone. So the more that you chew, the stronger your implant will become.
There you have it. Dental implants stay in place courtesy of your own body, and the help of a dentist (at least initially). It's actually a remarkable process that uses the body's own natural healing capabilities, and the immense strength of your bones. If you're interested in this holistic sort of dental replacement, contact a dentist and feel free to ask any other questions you may have.
Reach out to a dentist for more information on dental implants.
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