Dental Implants
No matter what
your age, if you are missing teeth due to a dental extraction, an
accident, or decay, or you are simply tired of your ill-fitting dentures,
you may be a candidate for dental implants. Dental implants can be for one
tooth, several teeth, or, in some cases, your entire mouth.
What is
an dental implant?
A dental implant is a replacement
dental tooth root made of titanium, which anchors into the jawbone and
supports an implant crown. The bone grows around the implant as if it was
a natural tooth but even stronger.
How are implant
crowns and fixed implant bridgework different from conventional
bridges?
An implant supported crown or a multiple tooth
implant restoration is different from removable bridgework in that no
natural adjacent teeth need be altered. A conventional bridge needs two
natural teeth to be attached to on either end. A fixed implant bridge is
self-supporting and does not involve altering the structure of other
adjacent teeth. It is permanently attached to the jawbone.
How is fixed implant bridgework
different from dentures?
Dentures are typically supported by gums
and remaining teeth. In time they loosen, become uncomfortable and can
lead to the eventual loss of the natural teeth that the denture is
attached to.
Dental Implants feel like natural teeth, they are
stable, secured to the jawbone and not removable. With implants you avoid
the need to purchase denture adhesives and the bother of using adhesives.
They allow you to eat foods such as apples, corn on the cob, just as with
natural teeth.
Do dental implants work
immediately? How many visits are required?
Dental implants generally require an initial
surgical visit for implant placement and can be done relatively quickly.
Implants are placed into the jawbone creating an artificial tooth root.
The healing process usually takes three to six months.
After the
healing process, a minor surgery is performed to uncover the implants
which have stabilized in the jawbone and are underneath the
gum.
During the healing process you will be fitted with temporary
natural looking teeth. Mini-transitional implants can be used for a
temporary acrylic bridge or crown during the healing phase of the
definitive implants.
Once the implant is stable and integrated into
the bone, a permanent implant crown is placed
on top of it. Since the implant acts like a
natural tooth root, the crown visits are similar to the visits required to
create a crown on a natural tooth —final impressions are taken, the crown
is cast and custom made, and adjusted to fit as comfortably in your mouth
as your natural teeth.
How do I know if I am
a candidate for dental implants?
No matter what your
age, if you have a space from a missing or extracted tooth, missing teeth
from age or decay, or you are a denture wearer, you may be a candidate for
dental implants. Dental implants can be for one tooth, several teeth, or,
in some cases, your entire mouth. Anyone with healthy bone structure can
benefit from implants.
Before
Implant Missing Tooth |
Final
Implant Crown Placement |
What are the advantages of dental
implants?
Improved biting pressure
?Healthy teeth are able to absorb a tremendous amount of
biting pressure (500 psi). Dental implants can often restore the amount of
pressure that can be withstood to the same level of healthy, natural
teeth. This means you can go back to eating corn on the cob, apples, pears
and the like with confidence and pleasure.
Comfort and fit
?Because your replacement teeth are anchored and secured
to the implants in your jawbone, they won’t slip and slide like dentures
can.
Longevity &
reliability ?With proper oral hygiene and care, scientifically
tested and approved dental implant systems have been shown to last as long
as 20 years or more.
Increased self-confidence ?Because dental implants
function like natural teeth, most people feel a renewed sense of
self-confidence. No more cleaning dentures, no more empty space between
your teeth when you smile and laugh. You can eat, talk, laugh and smile
with confidence.
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The best advantage of all is an attractive
smile!!
If you have further questions about dental implants or any
other dental treatment, please contact us.
J.
Richard Shih, D.D.S.
General Orthodontics, Implant and Restorative Dentistry
Mail to: stephanie@drshih.com