You’ve lost a tooth, or perhaps several. Chewing is difficult and smiling, well it’s too embarrassing. There is no question that the quality of your life has changed. Dental implants are the solution to renewing your smile, your chewing ability and quite frankly your quality of life.
When both the tooth and root are damaged, the best permanent replacement is a dental implant in conjunction with a ceramic crown.
Dental implants are an excellent way to replace a missing tooth (or more specifically a missing tooth root). An implant is a small titanium post that anchors a
(called an overdenture if implants are involved). The process involves placing the implant into the jaw bone (either upper or lower), waiting several months for the bone to grow to the implant, then taking a mold of the implant to make a
(that connects to the implant) or a bar (that connects to a denture to support the
).
Single Tooth implant
Why Replace Missing Tooth?
When you lose a tooth, the biting forces change on the teeth next to the space, causing them to shift. Opposing teeth may even begin to extrude out of the socket, which means they too could eventually be lost.
As your bite changes, it gets more difficult to chew your food, and you may suffer damage to your jaw joint. It’s also much harder to clean teeth that have shifted; harmful plaque and tartar collect in the new hard-to-reach places created by the shifting, causing tooth decay and periodontal disease.
Also, without the root structure of a natural tooth present, the jawbone can shrink. This shrinkage will make your face look older than it is.
There are no loose parts to worry about losing. The dental implant is stable and comfortable. No adjustment is needed after placement. Normally, it will serve its owner for life.
Benefits of Implants
An implant and crown is practically indistinguishable from your natural teeth, and it fits so securely that you won’t even notice it when you chew and speak. When we place an implant, it’s not necessary for us to alter the structure of the adjacent teeth, so their strength and integrity is maintained. Also, an implant replaces the roots of a missing tooth, which helps to lessen the bone loss that occurs when a tooth is missing. In essence, an implant is the next best thing to your natural tooth.
Course of Treatment
BEFORE THE PROCEDURE
The dentist makes a first examination and takes one or more x-rays of the area to prepare for the procedure.
INSTALLING THE IMPLANT
The implant is placed into the bone and covered with a protective healing cap while it is allowed to heal.
ATTACHING THE NEW CROWN
After healing, an abutment is attached to the implant. The abutment can be adjusted and shaped to allow the replacement tooth.
END RESULT
Then the final step is to affix a crown to the abutment. The crown is shaped and colored to match your surrounding teeth. You should expect the new tooth to fit and function just like a natural tooth.
Multiple Teeth Implants
When the
three or more teeth are missing, the only real replacement alternative is installing a fixed bridge. The bridge contains all teeth in one piece and is anchored on dental implants.
Course of Treatment
BEFORE THE PROCEDURE
Three teeth at back end of the mouth are missing. The only real replacement alternative is installing a fixed implant bridge. The bridge contains all teeth in one piece and is anchored on dental implants.
INSTALLING THE IMPLANT
Implants used to support a bridge are placed and allowed to surrounding bone in the same manner as a single tooth implant. After the appropriate healing time, healing abutments are placed on each implant to allow contouring of the tissue.
ATTACHING THE BRIDGE
When the implant is securely anchored in the bone, the healing abutments are removed and final abutments are attached to the implants. These function as the core of the replacement teeth that are attached directly to the implants.
END RESULT
The new bridge will handle all the pressure that your strong, natural back teeth did. You will have a stable and secure solution that allows you to eat what you want.
Occasionally, older patients express concern that their age may prevent them from enjoying the benefits of dental implants. However, health is more of a determining factor than age. If you’re healthy enough to have a tooth extracted, you’re probably healthy enough to receive dental implants. Certain chronic diseases may contraindicate dental implant treatment. The dentist will determine if you are a candidate for dental implants after a careful evaluation of your dental and health history.
Dental implant-supported replacement teeth look, feel and function like natural teeth. This means that you can eat and drink whatever you choose. But most importantly, dental implants improve quality of life in a very concrete way. People who have felt embarrassed and worried because of their tooth problems are often overwhelmed by what new permanent teeth can do for their self-esteem.
today to schedule an appointment with our office if you are considering dental implants.