What is a dental implant?

A dental implant is a small titanium fixture that serves as the replacement for the root portion of a missing natural tooth. The implant is placed in the upper or lower jaw and will integrate with the bone over time and thus serve as an anchor for the replacement tooth. Under normal conditions, the healing process can take as little as 6 weeks. After this time, a crown, bridge, or denture is secured to the implant. Dental implants can be used to replace a single lost tooth or many missing teeth.

What are the Benefits of dental implants?

• Preserve facial appearance:
When you lose a natural tooth, the jawbone will undergo shrinkage and may cause your face to look older. Dental implants can stop this process and in some cases, they help maintain the shape of the face.

• Eat what you want:
Implant-supported replacement teeth are like natural teeth because they are anchored securely in your jaw. This allows you to eat your favorite foods in comfort and confidence.

• Preserve healthy teeth:
With traditional practices, two teeth adjacent to a missing tooth must be ground down to anchor a bridge. Dental implants often eliminate the need to modify healthy teeth.

• A solution for life:
A dental implant and ceramic crown or bridge offers a long lasting solution, often for life.

• More comfortable:
Because dental implants are securely anchored, there is no slipping or movement as there is with dentures. This eliminates some of the key worries of dentures, including poor fit, gum irritation, and pain from exposed nerves.

• Boosted self esteem:
With dental implants, you’ll never need to cover your mouth when laughing, smiling, or speaking. You can eat your favorite foods without pain or fear of embarrassment – and taste every bite. You’ll look and feel great and improve quality of life.

What type of dental implant solution would be best for me?
Whether you are missing a single tooth, several teeth or all of your natural teeth, there is an implant solution for you.
 

Single Tooth With Ceramic Crown

The dental implant replaces the lost tooth root and provides a stable foundation for the replacement tooth. This solution both looks and functions just like a natural tooth and in most cases is a permanent solution. It also eliminates the need to grind down and destroy healthy neighboring teeth for a cemented bridge. A removable partial denture is a relatively inexpensive solution and will not destroy adjacent natural teeth as with a bridge.
 

Several Teeth With Non-Removable Ceramic Bridge

In this case, when replacing three teeth in the far back of the mouth, a fixed bridge anchored to dental implants is the only fully fixed, non-removable alternative. A traditional removable partial denture or precision partial denture does not offer the same stability or function.
 

All Teeth With Non-Removable Ceramic Bridge

When all teeth are missing or in such condition that they need to be replaced, a fixed bridge anchored to dental implants is the best permanent solution. Before dental implants, there was no fixed solution available for people who lost all their teeth. Today, it is possible to replace a full jaw with dental implants and a fixed bridge that results in a permanent, stable and high esthetic solution.
-Lets you eat and function like having natural teeth
-A solid, stable solution that will often serve you for life
-Preserves your facial appearance and prevents bone loss
 

All Teeth With Removable Acrylic Overdenture

A removable implant acrylic overdenture is a complete denture that is connected to either a ball abutment or a bar attachment, which in turn is anchored on two or more implants in the front part of the jaw. This treatment is considered the minimum standard of good denture care and will help keep the denture in place and provide better function and comfort.

Will Dental Implants Work For Me?
Occasionally, 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. You may be a candidate for a dental implant solution if:

 

Disease leads to tooth loss.

An accident leaves you with missing teeth.

Teeth are congenitally missing.

Is the treatment painful?
Just as with any surgery, there can be some discomfort. Anesthesia and patient sedation are used to eliminate any discomfort at the time of the procedure. Most patients report that they were much more comfortable following the procedure than they had anticipated.

How much does dental implant treatment cost?
Since each patient has different needs and priorities, dental implant treatments and the corresponding costs differ as well. Some of the factors that influence the costs are:
• The number of implants needed
• The type of replacement teeth desired
• Additional procedures that may be necessary to enhance the look and feel of your facial expressions.

It is important to consider long-term versus short-term costs when making a decision about tooth replacement. Dental implant treatment may be a larger initial investment, but it is a more cost-effective solution in the long term.