Dental Implants
Cosmetic Dentistry Your teeth are designed to last a lifetime, but sometimes they don’t!
Replacing missing teeth is important to your general health and to the health of your other teeth. Not only do you lose chewing capacity when a tooth is lost, but un-replaced teeth can cause other teeth to be lost, tipped or crowded and create subsequent problems. There are also the obvious problems of poor appearance and loss of self-esteem caused by one or more missing teeth.
Dental implants should always be considered as an option to replace a failing or missing tooth. Replacement of lost teeth with dental implants has been used for over 50 years and is recognized as the ideal treatment choice. Implant treatment is often considered more predictable than bridgework and or endodontic treatment.
Dental implants are substitutes for the roots of missing teeth. They act as anchors for replacement crowns or a set of replacement teeth. Implant patients are of all ages and implants may be the right choice for anyone missing one or more teeth due to injury, disease, or decay. They are especially practical for patients who can no longer tolerate removable dentures.
We can determine if you are a candidate for dental implants after a careful evaluation of your dental and medical history. It is important for a patient to have enough bone to support the implant. If you don’t have enough bone, there are many safe and effective ways to correct bone deficiencies.
A dental implant is an ideal solution for a single missing tooth. When both a tooth and root are damaged, the ideal permanent replacement is a dental implant in conjunction with a ceramic crown. The procedure is simple and virtually painless.
A dental implant looks and functions just like a natural tooth and can enhance your self-esteem by providing a healthy and brighter smile.
Treatment:
- Planning. Initially, the area involved is examined to determine the course of treatment. Radiographs and models will assist in your treatment plan.
- Implant placement. The dental implant is a fabricated core that is placed in the location of your missing tooth. A temporary tooth is often placed to allow you to eat and function while the implant integrates into the jawbone. The integration process varies depending on the location of the missing tooth.
- Placing the crown. Prior to placing the crown, an impression is taken to fabricate an implant abutment, which attaches to the implant. A final impression is then taken to create a porcelain crown, which is placed on the abutment. Your new crown should fit, function and look like a natural tooth. Proper hygiene is essential to keep the tooth and tissue healthy.
Dental implants are often used to replace several missing teeth. Having dental implants replace your missing teeth can give you unparalleled strength and stability allowing you to eat what you want. A fixed bridge can be cemented to two or more dental implants.
Dental implants will also preserve your facial appearance and prevent further bone loss adjacent to the missing teeth. If several teeth are missing in the back end of the mouth, the only truly stable alternative would be a fixed bridge supported by dental implants. Removable dentures cannot offer the same stability or function as dental implants can.
Treatment:
- Planning. Initially, the area involved is examined to determine the course of treatment. Radiographs and models will assist in your treatment plan.
- Implant placement. The dental implants are fabricated cores that are placed in the location of your missing teeth. A temporary bridge is often placed to allow you to eat and function while the implants integrate into the jawbone. The integration process varies depending on t he location of the missing teeth.
- Placing the bridge. Prior to placing the bridge, an impression is taken to fabricate the implant abutments, which attach to the implants. A final impression is then taken to create a porcelain bridge, which is placed on the abutments. Your new bridge should fit, function and look like natural teeth. Proper hygiene is essential to keep the teeth and tissue healthy.
When all teeth are missing or in such poor condition that they need to be replaced, a fixed bridge anchored to dental implants is the best permanent solution. Other dental appliances can also be anchored to the implants giving a stable solution. Before dental implants, there were no fixed alternatives available for people who lost all of their teeth.
Today, it is possible to replace a full arch or jaw of missing teeth with dental implants and a fixed bridge, resulting in a permanent, stable esthetic situation. You will be able to eat and function like having natural teeth for the rest of your life.
Treatment:
- Planning. Initially, the entire mouth is examined to determine the course of treatment. Radiographs and models will assist in your treatment plan.
- Implant placement. The dental implants are fabricated cores that are placed in several strategic areas in order to support the full arch restoration. A temporary denture or appliance is placed to allow you to eat and function while the implants integrate into the jawbone. The integration process varies depending on the location of the missing teeth and the quality of the bone.
- Placing the bridge. Prior to placing the bridge, an impression is taken to fabricate the implant abutments, which attach to the dental implants. With a full arch replacement, it usually takes several appointments to create the final porcelain restoration. Your new bridge will be securely installed and should fit, function and look like natural teeth. Proper hygiene is essential to keep the teeth and tissue healthy.