Do you have one or more missing or severely damaged teeth? If so, you may be a candidate for dental implants. Dental implants are the highest quality tooth replacement option available. Through advanced technology, they provide a fully functional, natural looking dental prosthetic.
Find out more about dental implants whether or not you may be eligible for this highly desired dental procedure.
What Are Dental Implants?
A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that is surgically placed in the jaw. It is made of titanium, which is a biocompatible material used in many medical and dental procedures. The implant fuses with the bone through a process called osseointegration, forming a solid bond that is capable of supporting a crown. The implant acts as an anchor to hold the crown securely in place, providing the bite and chewing strength of a natural tooth.
What Are Implant Supported Dentures?
When the majority or all of the teeth are severely decayed beyond repair, implant supported dentures are a replacement option. A few (4-6) dental implants can be placed throughout the jaw that provide support for a full arch denture. The dental implants anchor dentures securely in place so that they don’t slip or shift out of place the way traditional dentures often do. Patients find that implant supported dentures are more comfortable and function better than traditional dentures.
What Are the Requirements for Dental Implant Placement?
The biggest factor in dental implant eligibility is the bone structure of your jaw. The bone must be thick enough and wide enough in the place where the implant needs to be placed. There may not be sufficient bone structure if one or more teeth have been missing for a while, because the jaw bone weakens and resorbs over time in the absence of a tooth. Gum disease can also cause deterioration of the jaw bone that may prevent dental implant placement.
Are There Any Solutions for Bone Loss?
Just because you have insufficient bone structure to support dental implants doesn’t mean they are not an option for you. There are ways to regenerate lost bone tissue to make dental implant placement possible. Bone grafting is a procedure used to thicken and encourage regrowth of bone tissue in the area where the implant needs to be placed. A bone fragment is placed under the gum tissue on top of the existing bone. Over the course of a few months, the bone thickens and strengthens until it is ready to receive an implant.
Am I a Candidate for Same Day Dental Implants?
A complete dental implant restoration can sometimes be done in a single appointment. In order to be a candidate for this procedure, an evaluation must be done to determine eligibility. There are many factors to be considered, including bone density, current oral health, and more.
Why Choose Emerson Dental?
We constantly strive to provide the highest quality dental care, which is why we offer dental implant restorations. When it comes to replacement teeth, there is no better option than dental implants and implant supported dentures. The success of your dental implants depends on proper placement, which is why we use advanced technology in the form of cone beam scanning and guided implant placement for optimal precision and accuracy.
To learn more about dental implants, contact us at one of our two convenient locations to schedule an appointment.