When you get a dental implant, you’ll notice improved confidence as your smile once again becomes full. Implants allow you to regain so much of your former, active lifestyle. No more food restrictions exist for you. In addition, you can now chew your foods easier and more completely, which aids in digestion. With implants, you can replace your missing teeth naturally!
cross-section of a dental implant
What are Dental Implants?
Dental Implants are small titanium posts that are about the size of your natural tooth roots. They are placed where teeth are missing and they act as tooth root substitutes. The bone bonds with the titanium, creating a very strong foundation for artificial teeth. Your replacement teeth typically attach directly to the implants. Implants also help preserve facial structure, preventing the bone deterioration that occurs when teeth are missing.
What are the Benefits of Dental Implants?
Dental implants have enhanced the quality of life for hundreds of thousands of people throughout the world, of all age groups, providing them with tremendous benefits:
- Preserved facial structure by virtually stopping the deterioration of the jaw
- Improved health with the ability to chew comfortably once again
- A mouth restored as closely as possible to its natural state
- Increased comfort by eliminating loose-fitting dentures and partials
- A more natural smile
- Improved appearance and self-confidence
This highly successful method of tooth replacement was developed in the 1950′s and carefully monitored studies have proven that it can be over 95% successful. In our practice, the success rates have been even higher!
An estimated 100 million people in the United States are missing one or more teeth. Dental implants allow people who have lost teeth to regain the ability to eat virtually anything and to smile with ease, confident in the knowledge that their appearance is natural once again.
(a) Bone is maintained by the presence of natural teeth or implants. (b) Bone loss occurs with the loss of teeth.
What are the Consequences of Tooth Loss?
Bone Resorption: When teeth are missing, the bone which previously supported the teeth has no function and begins to resorb, or shrink. This can accelerate the aging process as the facial structures become compromised.
Facial Structure Collapse: When all of the teeth are missing, the bone resorption, or deterioration, results in compromised facial structures and contours. The impact of deteriorating bone from tooth loss includes:
- Collapsed facial profiles
- Lost lip support
- Increased wrinkles
- Appearance of a pointed nose and chin too close together
The roots of the natural teeth hold the bone and gum tissue in place. Since there is no longer a root to hold, the bone in place when a tooth is missing the bone appears to collapse or cave in.
Bite Collapse: When teeth are missing, the opposing teeth have nothing to chew or bite against. Over time, the teeth will drop down or shift into the space created by the missing teeth. When several teeth are missing in the back of your mouth, your front teeth begin to flare out, the corners of your mouth droop and you loose jaw height.
Dental Implant Treatment Options
We place dental implants as an office procedure, often under the comfort of anesthesia. The length of the procedure varies depending upon the treatment plan, but the typical treatment time is about an hour. Time frames for care will vary according to your healing response, the number of teeth being replaced, and the technique selected by your dentist. We will discuss this in detail at your consultation visit.
Fixed bridges may require the shaping or cutting down of adjacent healthy teeth.
Traditional Tooth Supported Bridge for Single Tooth Replacement
When a single tooth is missing, the two most common treatments options are the traditional tooth supported bridge and the implant supported crown. When a traditional fixed bridge is used to replace a missing tooth, the adjacent teeth are cut down into pegs, permanently removing tooth structure This is necessary to fit the cemented bridge into place.
This method of tooth replacement can be very aesthetic and functional. However, the bridge does not replace the missing tooth root, and therefore, does not preserve the bone that previously surrounded the root.
(a) Implants can be used to replace one missing tooth so that the replacement looks and feels natural. (b) Also, two or more implants can serve as a stable support for the replacement of many teeth.
Implant Supported Crown for Single Tooth Replacement
There are several advantages to replacing a single tooth with an implant-supported crown:
- Stands on its own; looks, feels and functions just like a natural tooth
- Does not require cutting down the adjacent natural teeth
- Replaces tooth root, which preserves bone
- Cleaned like a natural tooth —more hygienic
- Prevents bone collapse, providing long term esthetics
- Does not decay if cement washes out, unlike a tooth supported bridge
Great News for Denture Wearers!
Denture wearers will find their whole appearance looking full and vibrant now that their facial structure has been restored. Plus, bone loss from dentures will no longer occur now that you have implants. You will no longer need adhesives or have the embarrassing problem of dentures shifting around in your mouth. Do you find yourself unable to speak clearly or easily with dentures? Dental Implants will restore your former expressive speech.
Care of Implants
Dental Implants truly improve your quality of life. There is no extra work involved for you to care for your implants. They are treated like all of your other natural teeth. Regular brushing and flossing along with routine dental examinations are all you need. There is nothing to stop you from living an active, unrestricted lifestyle. Implants have always had high success rates. Continued improvements and innovations have made their success even greater and has allowed us much shorter treatment times. Once you and Dr. Wagner fully discuss this state of the art procedure and outline your individual treatment plan, it won’t be long before you’re smiling brightly!
