WE PROVIDE DENTAL IMPLANTS TO RESTORE YOUR TEETH AND YOUR SMILE
HOW IMPLANTS WORK
During a minor surgical procedure, your dental implant is inserted directly into the jawbone in the space vacated by the missing tooth. It will then be left to heal for a period of months before the final crown is attached. During this healing period, the implant actually fuses to the bone surrounding it. Implants can replace missing teeth in a variety of ways.
DENTAL IMPLANTS REPLACE ONE TOOTH
When you have one tooth missing, a single implant is inserted into the bone to replace the root part of that tooth; a crown then goes on top to simulate an actual tooth. This treatment choice has the highest success rate, making it the best long-term investment for replacing a single missing tooth. Even if the initial cost is slightly higher than other options, it is the most cost-effective solution over time. An implant will never decay or need root canal treatment and feels just like the tooth that was there.
DENTAL IMPLANTS REPLACE MULTIPLE TEETH
When you have more than one tooth missing, implants provide an ideal replacement mechanism. You don't even need one implant for every missing tooth. Instead, implant teeth can act as supports for fixed bridgework. For example, if you are missing three teeth in a row, we can place two implants, one on either side of the gap, and a crown in between that has no implant underneath. That way, you won't need to use any of your remaining natural teeth as bridge supports, which could weaken them and make them more susceptible to decay.
DENTAL IMPLANTS REPLACE ALL TEETH PERMANENTLY
Implants can support an entire arch of upper or lower replacement teeth that are fixed into the mouth and are never removed. Sometimes the new teeth can be supported by as few as 4 implants. It's comparable to the structure of a table, which only needs 4 legs to hold it up. In cases where jawbone density and volume have deteriorated, 5 or 6 implants might be needed to support a row of 10 to 12 teeth. Dental implant replacement teeth protect your jawbone, won't slip, and should last a lifetime.
DENTAL IMPLANTS SUPPORT REMOVABLE DENTURES
Implants can even make removable dentures more comfortable, effective, and healthier to wear. Traditional dentures rest on the gums and put pressure on the underlying bone. This accelerates bone loss so that the jaw shrinks, and the dentures slip, particularly on the bottom. But today, dentists can attach a removable denture onto implants, transferring that pressure into the bone structure rather than the bone surface. This prevents the dentures from slipping while you eat and speak and preserves the bone directly beneath them.
IMPLANT CARE AND MAINTENANCE
There are only two ways an implant can lose attachment to the bone and fail once it has successfully fused: Poor oral hygiene or excessive biting forces. Poor oral hygiene and/or a lack of regular cleanings can lead to a destructive bacterial infection called peri-implantitis. Flossing and brushing your teeth on a daily basis, along with regular professional cleanings, can prevent this. Excessive biting forces can come from either a habit of clenching or grinding your teeth, or an insufficient number of implants to handle the forces generated by your bite. You should receive the correct number of implants, so this does not happen. And if you have a habit of grinding or clenching your teeth, a nightguard will be recommended to protect your implants. After all, implants are a long-term investment in your smile, your health and your well-being, so it's best to protect your investment.
CROWNS AND BRIDGEWORK
One of the techniques used in dental implants is placing a crown over a damaged tooth to help strengthen the tooth and allow for normal function again. A crown can be either porcelain, cast gold, or porcelain-fused-to-metal-crowns. Crowns cover the tooth above the gum line unlike a dental veneer that only covers the front surface. Not only can crowns be placed over an existing tooth but they can be used to create a lifelike replacement for a missing tooth by using bridgework. A crown will be placed on either side of the missing area on healthy teeth and will create a bridge to insert a new tooth.
For more information, or to schedule an appointment, call us at 941-488-1459.