What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are small titanium fixtures
that are placed in the jawbone and bond with the bone to replace the root
portion of natural teeth and serve as anchors for crowns, bridges and dentures.
Dental implants can be used to replace a single lost tooth or many missing
teeth. |
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Why Dental Implants?
In the past, replacement of missing teeth
has been accomplished with fixed bridges or removable dentures. However,
not all people can adjust to partial or complete dentures or have teeth
that are strong and healthy enough to support bridges. In addition, healthy
tooth structure must often be sacrificed in order to create the supporting
portions of a bridge. Dental implants allow each replacement tooth to stand
on its own. |
What Are the Benefits
of Dental Implants?
Implant supported teeth will improve your
appearance. They look and feel like your natural teeth. Implant supported
teeth are more comfortable. The pain and gum irritation often associated
with dentures is eliminated since implant supported replacement teeth are
anchored to your jawbone. Implant supported teeth will allow you to speak
more naturally, without worrying about slipping dentures. Implant supported
teeth will provide improved chewing efficiency, allowing you to eat the
foods you choose. Implant supported teeth will restore your confidence
and let you get on with your life. |
I Have Dentures. What
Can Implants Do For Me?
Dental implants can greatly improve the quality
of life for complete denture wearers. Either or both of the lower and upper
denture can be "locked down" by securing it to a number of implants which
have been placed in the jawbone. The procedure is quick and simple and
patients enjoy greater denture stability on the very day the procedure
is performed. In addition, with dental implants the palate can be removed
from your upper denture so that you can taste and enjoy your food. In some
cases, if the patient so desires, all of the missing teeth can actually
be replaced with implant supported crowns and bridges. |
Am I A Candidate for Dental
Implants?
In most cases, anyone healthy enough to have
a tooth extracted is a candidate for dental implants. Age is not usually
an obstacle. Time is important, however, as the size and thickness of the
jawbone begins to decrease once the teeth are lost. This bone shrinkage
makes the face look older and is the reason why lower dentures tend to
become looser with time. The placement and "loading" of dental implants
will halt this loss of bone just as regular exercise helps to prevent osteoporosis. |
How Long Does It Take?
Your dental implant surgery will take 1-2
hours and you will be able to return to work the next day.
Securing your lower denture to dental
implants can take as little as two weeks after the implants have been placed.
If you are having one or more missing teeth
replaced with implant supported teeth the complete reconstruction process
will take 4 to 9 months. This is because it takes time for your bone to
grow around and bond securely to your implants. Once that has occurred,
the replacement teeth can be connected to the implants and you will have
teeth that feel like your own. |
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