Dental Implants
Dental implants are a permanent solution to the problem of missing teeth.
Unlike dentures or partials, you won’t experience problems with slipping or sliding, and they don’t require a specialized daily care routine beyond regular brushing and flossing. Unlike bridges, dental implants do not require alteration to your existing, healthy teeth. In fact, bridges can be supported by implants for fewer alterations during a more complex restoration.
Do I Need Dental Implants?
For many people, missing teeth present a mostly cosmetic problem. This is a fair concern; missing teeth carry a stigma, and people with missing teeth may find themselves unfairly judged by others in many social settings.
Unfortunately, the problem of missing teeth goes beyond the cosmetic issue. Missing teeth put additional stress on your remaining teeth and can lead to damage, including fractures and even further tooth loss. When you are missing teeth, you may find it difficult or even painful to enjoy the fresh, healthy foods you need for proper nutrition and nourishment.
Even more concerning, one or more missing teeth can eventually lead to significant bone loss in your jaw as the tissue wears away from lack of use. Over time, this diminishing bone can lead to visible changes in your face and cause you to appear prematurely aged.
Dental implants will stop this process in its tracks, something that even dentures and partials cannot do.
Do I Have Sufficient Structure for Dental Implants?
Bone Grafting
When a tooth is removed and if there is insufficient bone structure for an immediately placed implant, bone grafting can be used to preserve the site. Once a tooth is removed, the tooth socket can resorb resulting in bone loss on adjacent teeth and overtime lead to excessive bone loss making implant dentistry much more difficult or possibly unachievable. Bone grafting involves cleaning the tooth socket and filling the site with bone grafting material that the body uses as a scaffold to form bone to preserve and protect the site.
Am I a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?
While most healthy adults are eligible for dental implants, some health conditions can change the effectiveness of the implants.
When you visit our office to discuss dental implants, we will ask you a number of questions about your health history. These questions are important to help us determine whether dental implants are the right option for you. Don’t worry – even if you do have a health concern, we are likely to still be able to work with you. We just need to know about it so that we can account for it and take any necessary precautions.
How Are Dental Implants Placed?
Prior to beginning the actual implant process, we will perform a full examination including x-rays. Because the implant is attached directly to your jaw, we need to know the condition of your bone. If necessary, you could be a candidate for grafts and other procedures to build up your jaw bone.
The titanium posts for your implants will then be placed. Once you have healed sufficiently, you may receive a temporary crown over the implant while we wait for your permanent crown to return from the dental lab. Once the permanent crown has returned from the dental lab, you will return to our office to have it placed. The fit and appearance will be checked, and your implant will be complete.
For more information about dental implants or to schedule an appointment, please call our practice today.