Welcome to my site! My name is Verity. I work as a receptionist in a dentist office. Every day for the past 20 years, I have come in to the office, worked on paperwork, and greeted patients. I love my job, because it has helped me meet a lot of really wonderful people. I have seen families grow up! But an added benefit from my job is that I have also picked up some small information about dentistry. I'm not one of the dentists, but I do know quite a bit about simple procedures and basic dental hygiene. Hopefully this blog can teach you something, but remember to always consult with your actual dentist for real professional advice!
About Verity Longpar
What Exactly Is Osseointegration?
Eleanor Crawford
If you decide to get a dental implant to replace a tooth that is missing, your dentist might start talking about osseointegration. If you like understanding what is going on when getting dental procedures completed, you might want to research osseointegration to find out what it is. Here are several important things to know about this term that is commonly used with dental implants.
What It Is
Osseointegration is a process that involves two different things fusing together to become one. With a dental implant, this involves a small implant fusing with the jawbone. When you get a dental implant, the first step is placing an implant in your jawbone. This implant will hold the artificial tooth in place, and the dentist cannot put the artificial tooth in place until the implant fuses with the bone. When a dentist talks about osseointegration, this is what he or she is referring to.
Why It Is So Important
The process of osseointegration is extremely vital with dental implants, and it can take up to six months for it to occur. In some cases, it can take even longer. When this process is complete, the implant that will hold your artificial tooth in place will be as strong as your jawbone, as it becomes one with the jawbone. If the two parts do not fuse into one piece, the implant will not have the ability to hold your artificial tooth in place.
Because this step is so important, your dentist will probably have you come to the office several months after installing the implant just to check to see how the osseointegration process is working. A dentist can check this by taking x-rays. X-rays will show whether the two parts have fused together. If they have not, you will have to wait a few more months to have it checked again. If the two parts have fused together, you will be ready to proceed with the next step of the dental implant process.
Now that you understand what osseointegration is and why it is so important, you will have a better understanding of what to expect when you get a dental implant. If this is something that you are interested in for a tooth you are missing, you should schedule an appointment with a dentist that offers dental implant services to find out if getting a dental implant is the right solution for your mouth.
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