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New Teeth For a New Smile
Do you avoid laughing aloud, smiling, and eating in public because your denture may slip or a space left by missing teeth may show? If so, dental implants may improve the way you feel about your teeth. No matter how many teeth you're missing, dental implants may make it possible for you to eat and speak with comfort and confidence again. Your natural teeth are stable biting and chewing surfaces because they are supported by your jawbone. This will also be true of your dental implant. Successful dental implants become firmly embedded in the jaw, providing a chewing surface almost as secure as that of natural teeth.
What are Implants?
In the simplest terms, an implant is a man-made artificial tooth root. The implant itself is made from a titanium alloy and is implanted in the jawbone to function like the root of your missing tooth. Dental implants can replace missing teeth and represent an alternative to full dentures, partial dentures and fixed bridge work.
What are the Advantages to Implants?
The advantages vary from patient to patient and the type of replacement that the patient opts for. In the case of full or partial dentures, implants allow for increased chewing ability and better speech.  Implants help a patient gain self-confidence by knowing that their dentures are fixed in place. Fixed implants also help to eliminate the gag reflex sometimes associated with dentures. They also make food taste better and allow for less mouth irritation (sore spots). In short, implants allow patients to replace their teeth with artificial teeth that are as close to their natural teeth than
anything else available.
 When replacing a single tooth, an implant has an advantage over fixed bridgework in that healthy teeth adjacent to the missing tooth do not have to be prepped (drilled down). An artificial tooth can be placed in the space without touching the other teeth in the area.
Are You a Candidate for Implants?
Whether you are a candidate for implants can only be determined after a complete examination by your dentist. Some factors that are considered are the health of the patient and the quantity and quality of the bone in the jaws.
How are Implants Done?
Implants are usually placed under local anesthesia in the dentist's office. In many cases, patients are referred to a dental specialist for this part of the treatment. The implant is allowed to heal and fuse to the bone for a period of months. The top of the implant is exposed after the waiting period. A restoration consisting of one or more replacement teeth is fabricated by the dentist to fit on top of the implant. The restoration can be attached using snaps or clips in the case of dentures or screwed or cemented in the case of crowns or bridgework. The number and type of implants and the exact method of implantation and restoration varies from case to case.
A Final Word
Implants offer a tremendous advantage to replacing missing teeth on some patients. If you have any questions about implants, please ask us. Your smile is our business. Our goal is to help preserve your smile for a lifetime. |
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The Implant Process
The implant process is a three-step procedure. The first two steps are surgical. The third step involves making and attaching your new teeth.
During your first surgery, the implants are placed.
During your second surgery, the implants are uncovered or exposed.
During the last step, your new tooth is attached. |
