Dental Implant
Dental implants are the most durable and functional tooth replacement option available today. The implant is comprised of a titanium post that serves as the root of your replacement tooth, a porcelain crown, and an abutment that attaches the crown to the implant. With proper oral care, a dental implant can replace a natural tooth for a lifetime.
There are numerous reasons why dental implants are superior to all other forms of tooth replacement.
Benefits of Dental Implants
- Convenience: Once the implant is placed, it serves all the functions of a natural tooth. No eating restrictions or speaking impediments.
- Oral health: With other tooth replacement options, the bone where the root used to be may deteriorate over time, causing neighboring teeth to shift and loosen. Implants are the only option that helps prevent bone loss in the jawline.
- Reliability: Implant placement surgery is one of the most effective types of surgery with a success rate of over 95%.
- Confidence: Implants are nearly indistinguishable from natural teeth. Smile more often with a full, healthy set of teeth.
Placing the Implant
First, your Dr. Roginsky will take x-rays of your mouth and determine the optimal placement of the implant along your jawline. Once the implant has been surgically placed, the abutment and crown will be attached during restoration procedures. Most patients report less pain during recovery than with wisdom teeth extractions, but any discomfort can be treated with over-the-counter pain medication. If you are anxious about any stage in the implant procedure, the team at A2zOral Surgery Associates is always ready and willing to answer any questions or concerns you may have.
Stages of Dental Implant Treatment
- The titanium implant is placed into your jaw. Over the next few months, the implant and bone osseointegrate (grow together).
- Once the implant is integrated with your bone, an abutment is placed on the dental implant.
- A replacement tooth is then attached to the abutment for a beautiful, natural appearance.
Implant Bridge
When several neighboring teeth are missing, an implant-supported bridge is the optimal treatment option for replacing them. The implant bridge consists of three major aspects: dental implants, abutments, and the dental bridge. While a traditional bridge uses healthy neighboring teeth to secure the dental crowns in your mouth, the implant-supported bridge is firmly held in place by the implants.
Unlike a traditional bridge, the implant bridge supports bone growth in addition to replacing the exterior appearance of teeth. When multiple neighboring teeth are missing, the bone begins to resorb and shrink at a rapid pace. The surrounding teeth will then begin to shift and move into the open space, possibly causing greater damage to your remaining teeth. The implant bridge not only replaces missing teeth, it actively prevents further tooth loss as well.
Advantages of a dental implant bridge
- Efficient chewing
- Normal biting force and sensation
- Natural appearance
- Preservation of bone