Do you hide your smile because of spaces or missing teeth? Do you have difficulty chewing?
The loss of teeth can be devastating. Once the teeth are gone the bone structure that supported them begins to deteriorate. This can lead to a collapse of the facial structure and advanced signs of aging.
If you are missing one or more teeth and would like to smile and eat again with comfort and confidence, there’s good news! Our doctor performs a procedure using dental implants for patients in our region to provide safe, long term tooth replacements that stop bone loss and can restore a healthy, natural smile and lifestyle.
What are dental implants?
Dental implants are teeth that can look and feel just like your own. They are used to hold a replacement tooth or bridge. Dental implants are an ideal option for people in good general oral health who have lost a tooth or teeth due to periodontal disease, trauma or poor hygiene.
Who are the best candidates for dental implants?
If you are missing one, several or all of your teeth, dental implants may be the solution you have been waiting for. The best candidates for dental implants are in good general health, have adequate bone in their jaw to support the implant, and have healthy gum tissues that are free of periodontal disease.
The procedure
Dental implants rely on titanium fixtures surgically inserted into your jawbone. The procedure is performed in our office under anesthesia. The length of your procedure depends on the number of implants you require.
How will I feel after my procedure?
After our doctor performs your dental implant procedures, patients experience some degree of discomfort. This will vary from patient to patient depending on the extent of their procedure and their own pain threshold. There will be some bruising and a little swelling. This too will subside in a few days.
During the two to six months following your procedure, your implants and jawbone will heal together to form the anchors for your new teeth. Often, it is necessary to uncover the implants and attach extensions called abutments to complete the foundation on which your new teeth will be placed. Your gums will need an additional few weeks to recover following this procedure. Once your implants and gums are stable, your replacement teeth will be created for you by your dentist and attached to the abutments.
Why choose dental implants?
For most patients, dental implants are a great solution to the problem of missing teeth. They will look and feel like your own teeth. Implants blend into the structure of your bone and may prevent further bone loss and gum recession. Implants do not interfere with your adjacent teeth like a bridge does because healthy teeth are not altered to support the implant. Once you have your new implants you will be able to speak and eat with comfort and confidence. Implants are secure and long lasting. You won’t have the irksome clicks and wobbles of dentures and you can stop worrying about misplaced dentures and those messy pastes and glues.
The best thing about dental implants is that our patients love them because no one ever knows that they have them. They just look great!
During your consultation you may be shown several before and after treatment photographs of patients having similar conditions, and you will receive an explanation of your treatment. Before and after photos may be taken of the area to be treated to document your results.