Implant Dentistry

What is Implant Dentistry? Let us start by saying that implant dentistry has revolutionized the restoration and reconstruction of teeth for people who are missing some or even all of their teeth. Regardless of the cause of your tooth loss (trauma or poor oral health), implants can be used to replace, stabilize, or completely restore your smile and the function of the tooth or teeth. The information that follows will help you learn more about dental implants is and how they can be used to create a healthy mouth for you.
 

Implants Versus Bridges or Dentures
How do implants compare to fixed bridges or dentures? Implant dentistry results in:

• Natural appearance and feel. Dental implants look and feel like your own teeth. Because dental implants integrate into the structure of your bone, no one will likely ever know that the implanted teeth aren’t the ones you were born with.
• Tooth sparing. Implant dentistry doesn’t sacrifice the quality of your adjacent teeth. Neighboring teeth are not altered in any way to support the implant. (With bridges, crowns are required for support!) Implants also leave more of your own teeth unaltered – a key benefit for maintaining your oral health.
• Confidence. With dental implants, you can speak and eat with confidence and comfort. Implants are secure and let you avoid the clicks and wobbles that often occur with dentures. Dental implants also helps you avoid the possibility of misplacing your denture, and let you skip the purchase and use of messy pastes and denture adhesives.
• Reliability. We gather all the proper medical information before we perform implant dentistry. That allows us to accurately predict the rate of success. Implants are often an excellent option for tooth replacement.

What Is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is a small post made of metal (titanium) that is coated with a special material that enables the implant to attach to your jawbone. At the beginning of the implant procedure, this small post is surgically inserted in the position where a tooth is missing. After the implant is placed, the surgical area and bone are allowed to heal for a period of time – sometimes as long as four to six months. During this healing phase, We can use implant dentistry to replace a single tooth, to create an anchor point for several adjacent teeth (bridge), or to provide an anchor point for dentures.
 

What Is Involved In the Dental Implant Process?
One, and sometimes two, dental procedures must be performed to place the anchor and the associated post support that may be required to connect replacement teeth. Different types of implants that we can use affect whether one or two dental implant surgeries may be necessary. We will advise you on the best approach to use for your situation. After your gums have healed for several weeks, artificial teeth are made and fitted to the post portion of the anchor. This step can take one or two months to complete because several fittings may be required.
Implant dentistry surgical procedures can be performed in a dental office or in a hospital, depending upon a number of different factors. Local or general anaesthesia may be used. Pain medications and, when necessary, antibiotics are sometimes prescribed. We will define and discuss our recommended implant dentistry plan with you. We will include clear instructions on diet and oral hygiene procedures that you should follow during and after completing the process.
 

Are You a Candidate for Dental Implants?
The ideal candidate for a dental implant is one who is in both good general and good oral health. Adequate bone in your jaw is essential to support the implant. The best candidates for implant dentistry have healthy gum tissues – no periodontal disease. Implant dentistry is an ideal option for people in good general oral health who have lost one or more teeth due to an injury or some other cause.
 

What Can I Expect After Dental Implant Treatment?
Your own natural teeth require conscientious at-home oral care and regular dental visits. In that way, dental implants are much like your own teeth – they require the same care. You will need to keep your implant clean and plaque-free by brushing and flossing regularly. Your customized dental implant treatment plan will include periodic follow-up visits that will allow us to monitor your implant, teeth, and gums to make sure they remain healthy.