Dental Implants
What are Dental Implants?
A dental implant is a type of restoration that replaces a missing tooth within the mouth. Implants are often made out of surgical-grade titanium, making them a durable and solid part of your smile. The implant itself replaces both the root system and upper crown portion of a tooth that has either fallen out or been extracted. Implants are considered permanent, since they bond with your surrounding jawbone over the course of just a few months.
Dental implants will enable the people who have previously lost teeth to regain their confidence and smile again. Aside from being a confidence booster, it has the more practical benefit of allowing the person to enjoy eating again. No need to be nervous about eating their favorite food anymore since they can eat anything again.
The procedure is considered to be under prosthetic dentistry. However, it can also be considered as a kind of cosmetic dentistry. This procedure is not just meant to help restore missing teeth, but also to prevent jaw bone loss.
Why would Dental Implants be needed?
When you’re missing teeth, it can be difficult to feel confident in the way that you look. It might even be difficult to eat and chew because your natural teeth are no longer there to be useful. Implants are ideal for replacing these areas of missing dentition without having to compromise surrounding teeth. Implants work independently on their own and can last for decades without showing signs of wear.
Breaking Down a Dental Implant
In order to fully understand what a dental implant is and how it can help, we’ll need to break it down. Indeed, what it offers is perhaps the best solution available to missing teeth. And it not just provides relief and peace of mind for the present, it does it for the foreseeable future. So it’s also a long-term solution.
An implant is basically made up of three main parts:
Crown
The crown is the tooth part of the dental implant. It sits on top of the abutment and the implant itself. Its role is to work and function as a natural tooth would. Also, it needs to blend in with the rest of your natural teeth.
Abutment
The abutment serves as the connection between the crown and the implant below. While the implant is secured on the jaw, the abutment secures the crown on to the implant.
Implant
The implant is a piece that anchors the artificial or replacement teeth on the jaw bone. It functions the same way that a natural tooth root would. And not only does it serve as a solid foundation, it also helps improve bone health, particularly the jaw bone.
Who is a candidate for Dental Implants?
In order to be considered a good candidate for dental implants, we will examine your teeth and take x-rays. The implant works best when there is enough solid, healthy bone in the area where the restoration is being placed. If you are missing bone, we may recommend that a bone grafting be done to build up the area where it is lacking. Most of our patients who want or need implants can safely come in for the procedure to be done.
What Can Dental Implants Do for You?
Get Your Smile Back
You can smile again with the help of your dental implants. It helps you get your confidence back because you know you can smile and it would look natural. And your smile is one of those things that are unique to you and makes you who you are. So the confidence that you display is natural and people will see that.
Improve Dental Health
Dental implants are not just for aesthetic purposes. They replicate not just the look but the function of real teeth. So when they’re placed, they also help prevent the loss of jaw bones, promote gum health, and maintain facial structure. The implants basically guarantee the improvement and maintenance of overall dental health.
Comfortable Fit and Feeling
You wouldn’t be able to give your best smile if you don’t feel comfortable. Our dental implants will fit and feel so natural that you can’t help but smile. And you’ll never again think twice about taking a bite of your favorite food. There’s also no danger that your implants will fall or slip out, ever.
What happens during the Dental Implant procedure?
The procedure begins with a local or general anesthetic that is used to numb the area and relax you during surgery. The surgery consists of making a small incision through the gums and then creating a cannel-like hole into the jawbone. The titanium implant is placed and given time to heal.
Over the course of roughly six months, the implant will bond naturally with the surrounding jawbone. Once this occurs, we can make a crown, bridge or denture that is then placed over the freshly healed restoration to enhance your smile. While the implant itself should last for decades, the restoration placed on top of the implant will need to be replaced more frequently.
If you think you might benefit from dental implants, call us today to speak with one of our helpful and highly skilled team members.
Dental Implants Options
Single Implant
A single implant is what you’re going to need if you’re a single tooth. This offers a good stable and healthy option. All of your bone density is maintained with this option. Osseointegration transpires, which basically means that your jawbone recognizes the implant as your tooth’s root. You can chew any food and flash your smile with no worries whatsoever.
Implant Retained Denture
Implant retained denture is the option for you if you are missing all of your upper or lower teeth. It’s also the option for you if you’re planning or need to have most or all of your upper or lower teeth pulled. In this option, you have the implants and you’ll simply snap your dentures on it for security and stability. This is the least expensive option and yet it’s also the most secure option for those with dentures.
Full Fixed Arch
The full fixed arch option is for either the upper or lower set of teeth. This offers an extra secure option that is guaranteed to not come out no matter what. The only one that can remove this option is your dentist or any other dental specialist. This is made from the best and finest material available, so not only do you get your smile back but also all of your biting force.
Our Process
It might not seem like it, but choosing to have dental implants is a major step in your life. The move signifies a positive step towards living a fuller, healthier life.
We at Floss and Gloss Dental follow the process below to ensure you get the smile that you deserve:
Consultation and Evaluation
The first step in the process of getting dental implants is to determine if they’re actually right for you. To do this, you will have to undergo a consultation with your dentist, periodontist, or oral surgeon. You will be given a dental and radiographic examination as well as dental history.
After a thorough examination of your teeth and gums, and bone density, the area where the implant or implants will be placed will be determined. Your dentist will also provide you with an explanation of the best treatment plan for you. This treatment plan will be based on your oral hygiene as well as the condition of your oral tissues.
Before the Procedure
If you happen to have any underlying oral health problems, then that will be addressed first. It might be gum disease or tooth decay, but it needs to be managed first as it will affect the procedure if left untreated.
The actual procedure will start when your dentist finally determines that your oral health is at the level required for treatment. This is also the time when your dentist will provide you with the details such as the length and duration of the treatment process and how many visits to the dental office you’ll need to take. You’ll also be provided with details on what will happen after each procedure.
Dental Implant Procedure
A short description of the actual dental implants before the procedure. The implants are small metal anchors, made of titanium, that are put in place in the jawbone where the missing teeth are supposed to be. The titanium posts are going to bond with the bone to create a solid foundation for the replacement teeth.
The entire process is done surgically, with the titanium posts serving as tooth root substitutes. They will protrude from the gums and act as anchors for the artificial teeth.
From start to finish, the entire dental implant procedure is going to last several months, from around four to eight in total. You’ll probably appreciate the fact that most patients live a full and normal life throughout the process and there are basically no disruptions during that time period.
