All Treatment Options
Nearly all adults will need tooth replacement at some time in their lives. There are many options for single tooth replacement; but none are as long-lasting and natural-looking as dental implants. Like natural teeth, dental implants are rooted in the bone beneath the gums. They are customized to each patient’s natural tooth shape, size and color, making for a more functionally and cosmetically appealing tooth replacement option than bridges or partial dentures can offer.
Did you know…
know that missing one or more teeth puts you among the majority of adults in America? The American Associate of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons reports that nearly 70 percent of U.S. adults are missing at least one tooth by ages 35 – 44. Young to middle-aged adults can expect to require at least one tooth prosthetic for up to 50 years or more. Instead of visiting the dentist frequently to replace or re-fit a partial denture or bridge, many people choose dental implants, which are designed to last a lifetime.
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I a candidate for single tooth replacement ?
You may be a candidate for single tooth replacement if you are missing one or more teeth and are in search of a long-lasting prosthetic that will most closely resemble the look, feel, and function of your natural teeth. You’ll need an initial consultation with your oral provider to determine whether you have sufficient bone to support an implant. If you wait too long to get an implant after losing a tooth, the bone that once supported it may begin to deteriorate beneath the surface of your gums.
What should I expect during single tooth replacement?
A dental implant is placed over the course of multiple appointments. After the initial consultation, you’ll return to your dental provider to have the implant – which is made of a titanium rod – surgically placed into the jawbone. The gums will be sutured shut, and the implant will be left to fuse with the bone over a period of 6 to 9 months. After that time, you can return to your provider to have a crown placed over the implant.
Will I need to follow any special instructions after getting a tooth implant?
It is normal to experience some discomfort and swelling following an implant procedure. Your oral surgeon may prescribe medications to help prevent infection and alleviate pain. Expect to require a soft foods diet for the first 2 weeks after surgery. Once you receive your crown, you’ll probably find that keeping a dental implant clean is much like cleaning your own teeth. Because they are not removable, you can brush them and the gums around them like you would your surrounding teeth. Continue to visit the dentist regularly for dental cleanings and examinations.
Implant supported bridges are a blend between single tooth implants and bridges. Implants are individual teeth surgically placed within the jaw. A bridge is comprised of crowns that are fused together and anchored in place – usually by surrounding abutment teeth. An implant specialist may recommend an implant supported bridge in lieu of individual implant crowns if there are multiple teeth missing in succession and there is concern that tooth grinding or clenching could put too much pressure on individual teeth. When an implant supported bridge is used, individual implants are still used to replace each individual tooth; but the crowns are fused together for equitable distribution of bite pressure.
While most implant supported bridges are anchored in place by dedicated implants, some are instead anchored by individual implant supported crowns that serve as abutment teeth. In other words, individual teeth are replaced with implants and crowned, and those new prosthetic teeth are used as abutments for a traditional bridge. This type of implant supported bridge is often used when there is only a fractional areas of the gum line.
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I a candidate for an implant supported bridge?
You may be a candidate for an implant supported bridge if you have more than one tooth missing or if you are prone to clenching or grinding that could loosen individual implants. You’ll need a consultation with your oral provider to determine whether you have sufficient jawbone density beneath your gums to support implants. If supported bridge facilitated via bone grafting.
What should I expect if I decide to get an implant supported bridge?
If you decide to get an implant supported bridge, a titanium implant will be surgically placed beneath your gums and into the area of your jawbone that your tooth root once occupied. You’ll probably experience some discomfort and swelling following the procedure. Expect to follow a soft-foods diet for at least 10 to 14 days after your surgery. Implants are left in place to fuse with the jawbone for a period of 6 to 9 months. After that time, you’ll return to your implant specialist to be fitted for a bridge and any additional crowns you may require.
Will I need to follow any special instructions to care for my new bridge?
Your implant supported bridge will require little care outside of routine brushing and cleaning. However, your dentist will advise you to take time to clean the area between your gums and bridge using a specialty floss or small brush. Be sure to continue to attend periodic dental cleaning and examination appointments.
Implant supported dentures are preferred by many [city] dental patients who are missing all of their teeth but want a more stable prosthetic replacement option than traditional dentures provide. Unlike regular dentures, which rest on the gums unsupported, an implant supported denture is anchored in place by titanium rods surgically embedded into the jaw bone. This prevents the dentures from slipping or becoming loose during wear. Many patients find that implant supported dentures provide greater comfort, easier chewing, and better communication capabilities than are available via traditional dentures.
There are two types of implant supported dentures – ball retained and bar retained. Ball retained dentures are secured by ‘ball and socket’ joint attachments connected to each individual implant. A bar retained denture uses attachments connected to a bar that runs along the curvature of the jaw bone. This bar is held in place by between 2 and 5 implants, requiring fewer implants overall than ball-retained dentures do.
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I a candidate for implant supported dentures in [city]?
You may be a candidate for an implant supported denture if you are missing all of your upper or lower teeth and have enough jawbone to support artificial tooth roots. If you don’t have sufficient bone structure, your provider may recommend undergoing a grafting procedure to help build up the jaw in preparation for implants. You’ll need to consult with an implant specialist to ensure that an implant supported denture is right for you.
What should I expect if I undergo an implant procedure?
Getting implant supported dentures is a multi-step process that generally requires 2 in-office surgeries performed several months apart. During the first visit, implants will be secured within their designated locations inside the jaw. They will then be left to heal over a period of 6 to 9 months. You may be fitted for temporary dentures to wear during this time. At the conclusion of your waiting period, you’ll return to your provider’s office to have the implants re-exposed and either an abutment or bar secured to them. Lastly, you’ll be fitted for your final dentures, which will contain connective hardware for easy attachment.
How will I need to care for my implant supported dentures?
Although implant-supported dentures are designed to remain in place without slipping, they must be removed each night for cleaning. You’ll also need to carefully brush around each attachment and soak them nightly.
All-on-4 implants are revolutionizing the way dentists replace missing teeth. For years, patients have been choosing dental implants as permanent tooth prosthetics. But instead of placing as many as 10 implants into the gums for traditional dental implants, all-on-4 implant therapy makes it possible to secure all of the teeth to just four dental implants. Unlike traditional implants, which are placed vertically, all-on-4 implants are placed at an angle, which increases their strength and allows them to better support multiple prosthetics. The benefits of all-on-4 implants are significant, including a faster single-visit implant placement process that is minimally invasive and usually prevents the need for bone grafting.
Did you know…
that all-on-4 dental implants are placed while you are fully sedated? That means that you will have little or no memory of the procedure; and because there are fewer implants, you are also likely to experience an easier recovery period. When you choose all-on-4 implants to replace your missing or damaged teeth, you will gain a permanent, non-removable solution that looks and functions like a real tooth. In many cases, all-on-4 implants can last for several decades, or even a lifetime.
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I a candidate for all-on-4 implants?
You may be a candidate for all-on-4 dental implants if all or nearly all of your teeth are missing or badly damaged. Implants placed early after tooth loss can help prevent bone atrophy and also reduces the need for bone grafting. To find out more about all-on-4 dental implants, schedule a consultation with your dentist.
What should I expect if I get all-on-4 dental implants?
Your damaged teeth will be extracted to make room for your new implants. When the time comes to place your implants, you will be asked to avoid eating and drinking the night before and day of your procedure, as you will be fully sedated for its duration. A minimum of four implants will be strategically placed into the supporting bone beneath your gums. The gums will be sutured closed to allow the implants time to fuse with bone and heal. Several months later, you will return to have your tooth prosthetics secured to the implants where they will remain permanently.
Will I need to follow any special care instructions after I get all-on-4 implants?
Dental implants have a very high success rate, but there are some special care instructions you will need to follow after having them placed. It is normal to experience some pain and swelling after your procedure, though you may treat discomfort with over the counter medications or pain medications prescribed by your dentist. You may also need to rinse the treated area with a special solution several times each day and avoid using a straw. You may also be provided with an antibiotic and a list of temporary diet restrictions that will help you prevent infection.
