Dental Implants
Implants Reamin Fixed in Your Mouth
There are many ways to replace missing teeth and, while nothing in this world can truly replicate a healthy natural tooth, implants may be the preferable option for many folks. Implants have been one of the biggest advances in dentistry in the last 40 years and more than 5.5 million are placed annually. They are popular because they can replace single missing teeth without compromising the adjacent teeth, as with a bridge, and stay fixed permanently in the mouth, unlike partials and dentures.
What is a Dental Implant?
Implants are titanium posts that are surgically placed in the jaw and serve to anchor replacement teeth. They receive a crown after an initial healing period, just like natural teeth. If several teeth are missing, multiple implants may be able to be placed and restored with crowns or bridges.
Why do I Need a Dental Implant?
If a tooth is removed without replacement, you may run the risk of having adjacent teeth drift and tilt or the teeth in the opposite jaw erupt further. This can affect your bite and could lead to stress on the remaining teeth as well as jaw pain. If replacement is delayed, bone loss will occur at the site of the missing tooth making implant placement difficult later, sometimes requiring bone grafting.
If you have a denture, implants may be placed under the denture to help hold it in place. dentures.
How Does it Work?
The first step is placement of the implant. There may be some swelling and/or minor pain after the surgery and you may be prescribed some pain medication. We may give you antibiotics or a special rinse to keep the area clean. After a period of healing, which could be several months, we will take an impression and fabricate a crown.