With our expertise in placing dental implants, we ensure that you have the best treatment possible. Due to our advanced technology, most of our patients have little to no pain or discomfort with implant placement. We are here to help and want you to feel confident in the health, appearance, and longevity of your smile.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are today's most advanced replacement for missing teeth. A dental implant fully replaces a missing tooth, including its root. We use high-end implant materials.
The dental implant process begins by extracting the damaged tooth. If the tooth has been missing for some time, you may need a sinus lift or a bone graft. If a tooth is extracted, then a bone graft is needed to maintain bone height and width.
Implants consist of a titanium post that is placed into the jaw bone and an abutment that holds a lifelike dental crown. The surgery site and dental implant post takes several months for the bone to grow around it before the dentist can place the abutment and crown.
Benefits of Dental Implants
- Dental implants provide a seamless look, blending in perfectly with your existing teeth. We can replace single teeth or a full arch using implants.
- They last for years, with the post lasting a lifetime with proper care and the crown lasting for decades, or the rest of your life.
- Dental implants prevent teeth from moving out of position which is important because misaligned teeth can increase the risk of tooth decay.
- You can have anything you like to eat or drink with dental implants and will not have to adapt your diet as you would with dentures.
- Dental implants are easy-care, requiring the same routine as healthy natural teeth.
- Dental implant placement can be pain free.
Are You a Good Candidate for Implants?
People with missing or compromised teeth are often excellent candidates for dental implants. People who get implants should be in generally good oral health, with tooth decay and gum disease under control. Good candidates for implants also have adequate bone mass in the jaw.
Single Dental Implant
Dental implants are small anchors made of a biocompatible metal called titanium that are placed in the jawbone to replace missing teeth in the mouth. After placement, the anchors will begin to fuse with the bone over the course of a few months. After the fusing process, known as osseointegration, abutment posts are inserted into the anchors to allow for the permanent attachment of the replacement teeth.
Implant Supported Bridges
What are the advantages of an implant supported bridge?
Because of the natural look and feel and the functional stability provided by the implants, implant supported bridges are an effective solution to replace multiple missing teeth. A traditional bridge uses teeth on either side of the missing tooth space for support, and preparing teeth for crowns can weaken them. Because these teeth serve as attachments, they are subject to additional forces that can damage both healthy and compromised teeth or bone tissues.
A dental implant supported bridge replaces missing teeth by placing two or more dental implants rather than adjacent teeth. These implants avoid putting any additional stress on your natural teeth and help preserve the health and function of the surrounding bone tissue and teeth.
Fully Edentulous (Toothless) Solutions including All-on-X
For patients missing many or all of their teeth, implant retained or implant supported dentures may be an alternative to traditional dentures. These solutions can simulate the look and feel of natural teeth and stay fixed in place with the implants acting as anchors. Using implants for retention or the support of dentures allows for a smaller and more comfortable base and less shifting of the prosthesis during use.
Implant Supported Dentures
An implant supported denture requires the placement of four to six dental implants as “anchors” to provide a sturdier fit and minimal mobility for your denture. With implant supported dentures, there is no plate covering the roof of the mouth, so speaking and eating are more natural and comfortable than with traditional dentures. For qualifying patients, our doctors may be able to complete the removal of all teeth and the placement of a temporary arch on the same day.
Implant Retained Dentures
Available for full or partial dentures, implant retained dentures require the placement of two or more dental implants to secure the dentures in the mouth. This type of denture will “snap” onto the implants and can be removed for cleaning at night.
Guided Dental Implant Placement
3D technology allows our doctors to more accurately place dental implants using minimally invasive techniques that improve patient comfort and healing while maintaining the highest standard of treatment and restoring your smile.
The 3D digital guidance provided by this specialized software helps our team plan the implant placement procedure. It also allows the patient to visualize the implant’s future location and its support for the final restoration. Once planning is complete, our team uses this 3D-guided implant technology to create a customized surgical guide that provides greater precision and accuracy during implant placement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Many patients are nervous about dental implant surgery, but most have no pain and little discomfort. One of our patients even told us it was easier than getting her teeth cleaned.
For the first few days following dental implant surgery, we recommend liquids such as soups and meal-replacement drinks. For the next few days we recommend soft foods such as ice cream, yogurt, smoothies. Cooked cereal and scrambled eggs are also good choices.
After about two weeks, you will still want to avoid seeds, popcorn, and anything crunchy or chewy, but you can generally eat as you normally would as long as you don't chew with a newly placed implant and instead chew on the opposite side of your mouth. Avoiding chewing near the implant area helps to minimize any kind of movement around a newly placed implant.
The process takes approximately six months, from removing the damaged tooth, placing the dental implant, and then crown placement. When your new implant is complete, you will enjoy an improved smile and a higher quality of life.