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Dental Implants
Dental implants are designed to provide a foundation for replacement teeth that look , feel, and function like natural teeth. The person who has lost teeth regains the ability to eat virtually anything and can smile with confidence, knowing that their teeth appear natural and that the facial bone contours will be preserved. The implants themselves are small titanium posts that are placed into the jawbone where teeth are missing. The bone bonds with the titanium, creating a strong foundation for artificial teeth. In addition, implants can help preserve facial structure, preventing bone deterioration that occurs when teeth are missing.
Dental Implant Presentation
To provide you with a better understanding of dental implants, we have provided the following multimedia presentation. Many common questions pertaining to dental implants are discussed.
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Dental Implants - Replacing a Single Tooth
If you are missing a single tooth, one implant and a crown can replace it. A dental implant replaces both the lost natural tooth and its root.
What are the advantages of a single-tooth dental implant over a bridge?
A dental implant provides several advantages over other tooth replacement options. In addition to looking and functioning like a natural tooth, a dental implant replaces a single tooth without sacrificing the health of the neighboring teeth. The other common treatment for the loss of a single tooth, a tooth supported fixed bridge, requires that adjacent teeth be ground down to support the cemented bridge.
Because a dental implant will replace your tooth root, the bone is better preserved. With a bridge, some of the bone that previously surrounded the tooth begins to resorb (deteriorate). Dental implants integrate with your jawbone, helping to keep the bone healthy and intact.
In the long term, a single implant can be more aesthetic and easier to keep clean than a bridge. Gums can recede around a bridge, leaving a visible defect when the metal base or collar of the bridge becomes exposed. Resorbed bone beneath the bridge can lead to an unattractive smile. Additionally, the cement holding the bridge in place can wash out, allowing bacteria to decay the teeth that anchor the bridge.
Procedure
Maxillary Lateral Incisor
The implant, which looks like a screw or cylinder, is placed into your jaw. Over the next three to six months, the implant and the bone are allowed to bond together to form an anchor for your artificial tooth. During this time, a temporary tooth replacement option can be worn over the implant site. Occasionally, a temporary crown can be placed on the implant several days after the implant is placed. This can be worn for the duration of the three to six month healing period.
Often a second step of the procedure is necessary to uncover the implant and attach an extension. This small metal post, called an abutment, completes the foundation on which your new tooth will be placed. Your gums will be allowed to heal for a couple of weeks following this procedure.
Finally, a replacement tooth called a crown will be created by your dentist and attached to the abutment. After a short time, you will experience restored confidence in your smile and in your ability to chew and speak.
Dental Implants - Replacing Several Teeth
If you are missing several teeth, implant supported bridges can replace them. Dental implants will replace both your lost natural teeth and some of the roots.
Dental implants provide several advantages over other teeth replacement options. In addition to looking and functioning like natural teeth, implant supported bridges replace teeth without support from adjacent natural teeth. Other common treatments for the loss of several teeth, such as fixed bridges or removable partial dentures are dependant on support from adjacent teeth.
In addition, because implant-supported bridges will replace some of your tooth roots, the bone is better preserved. With a fixed bridge or removable partial denture, some of the bone that previously surrounded the tooth roots may begin to resorb (deteriorate). Dental implants integrate with your jawbone, helping to keep the bone healthy and intact.
In the long term, implants are aesthetic, functional and comfortable. Gums and bone can recede around a fixed bridge or removable partial denture, leaving a visible defect. Resorbed bone beneath bridges or removable partial dentures can lead to a collapsed, unattractive smile. The cement holding bridges in place can wash out allowing bacteria to decay the teeth that anchor the bridge. In addition, removable partial dentures can move around in the mouth and reduce your ability to eat certain foods.
Procedure
Implants which look like screws or cylinders, are placed into your jaw. Over the next three to six months, the implants and the bone are allowed to bond together to form anchors. During this time, a temporary teeth replacement option can be worn over the implant sites.
Often a second step of the procedure is necessary to uncover the implants and attach extensions. These small metal posts, called abutments, complete the foundation on which your new teeth will be placed. Your gums will be allowed to heal for a couple of weeks following this procedure.
Finally, replacement teeth, or bridges will be created for you by your dentist and attached to the abutments. After a short time, you will experience restored confidence in your smile and your ability to chew and speak.
Dental Implants – Replacing All of Your Teeth
If you are missing all of your teeth, an implant-supported full denture can replace them. Dental implants will replace both your lost natural teeth and some of the roots.
Dental implants provide several advantages over other teeth replacement options. In addition to looking and functioning like natural teeth, implant supported full bridges or dentures are designed to be long lasting. Implant-supported full bridges and dentures are more comfortable and stable than conventional dentures, allowing you to retain a more natural biting and chewing capacity. Conventional dentures make it difficult to eat some foods. Because implant-supported full bridges and dentures will replace some of your tooth roots, the bone is better preserved. With conventional dentures, the bone that previously surrounded the roots begins to resorb (deteriorate). Dental implants integrate with your jawbone, helping to keep the bone healthy and intact.
In the long term, implants can be more aesthetic and easier to maintain than conventional dentures. The loss of bone that accompanies conventional dentures leads to recession of the jawbone and a collapsed, unattractive smile.
Procedure
First implants, which look like screws or cylinders, are placed into your jaw. Over the next three to six months, the implants and the bone are allowed to bond together to form anchors for your artificial teeth. During this time, a temporary teeth replacement option can be worn over the implant sites. Often, a second step of the procedure is necessary to uncover the implants and attach extensions. These small metal posts called abutments, along with various connecting devices that allow multiple crowns to attach to the implants, complete the foundation on which your new teeth will be placed. Your gums will be allowed to heal for several weeks following this procedure.
Depending on the number of implants placed, the connecting device that will hold your new teeth can be tightened down on the implants or it may be clipped to a bar or a round ball anchor to which the denture snaps on and off.
Finally, full bridges or full dentures will be created for your by your dentist and attached to your implants or the connecting device. After a short time, you will experience restored confidence in your smile and your ability to chew and speak.
MARK C. WARING, D.D.S.
COSMETIC & RECONSTRUCTIVE PERIODONTICS & IMPLANT SURGERY - TEMPE, AZ