(Our Services)
Dental Implants
Dental Implants: the Modern Tooth Replacement
Approximately 10% of adults in the U.S. experience tooth loss. Dental implants now offer a stable, permanent, and natural-feeling alternative to traditional options like bridges or dentures.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are crafted from biocompatible materials like titanium, mimicking the shape of a natural tooth root. Atop the implant is an abutment, supporting a fixed restoration such as a porcelain crown. Implants can also anchor a multi-tooth bridge or stabilize dentures, blending seamlessly with adjacent teeth. They provide stability and durability, enabling natural biting and speech functions similar to your original teeth.
The Treatment Process
Considering dental implants? Start by consulting your dentist. They will review your records, x-rays, and current oral health, and discuss your long-term smile goals. It’s crucial to have enough healthy bone to support implants, as jawbone can shrink over time or due to gum disease.
If you have good bone density, your dentist can schedule and install the titanium implant promptly.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants provide numerous advantages over removable dentures and fixed bridges, including:
- High Success Rate: 98% success rate.
- Natural Appearance: Implants mimic natural teeth.
- Ease of Care: Simple to care for and maintain.
- Non-Invasive: No need to reshape healthy teeth.
- Comfort: Enhanced comfort compared to other options.
- Bone Preservation: Prevent bone density loss in the jaw.
Conventional tooth replacements often require altering healthy teeth or using bulky prosthetics. Existing dentures can be retrofitted to attach to implants, enhancing their stability. While the initial cost of dental implants is higher, they are a wise investment due to their long-term success and durability, often lasting a lifetime.
Do You Need a Bone Graft?
Sometimes, a sinus lift or bone graft is needed for the upper jaw. For bone grafts, there are two options:
Autografts: Bone is taken from another part of your body, such as the hip or rib. This is usually done in a hospital under sedation.
Xenografts and Synthetics: Sterilized bovine bone or synthetic materials are used. These help your body regenerate bone by absorbing the minerals.
After Implant Placement
A bone graft heals in about 6 months, providing support for a dental implant. Osseointegration, the process where the bone fuses with the implant, takes between 6 weeks and 6 months, allowing the implant to function like a natural tooth. Once healed, a crown, bridge, or denture can be attached. Your new tooth will look and feel natural. Schedule a consultation to find out if dental implants are right for you.