Feeling worn out from handling gaps in your smile and not being able to savor your favorite foods? At Cornerstone Dentistry, we know how missing teeth can affect your everyday life. That’s why we’re excited to provide dental implants as the best solution for replacing lost teeth.
Dental implants are a popular option for filling the gaps in your smile. They not only resemble and feel like real teeth but also function just as well.
How Do Dental Implants Work?
Dental implants are these tiny screws made of titanium that get placed into your jawbone through a surgical procedure. These screws act as artificial tooth roots to support a replacement tooth or bridge. The implant is then covered with a custom-made crown or bridge with the same appearance and function as your natural teeth.
Getting dental implants usually goes through a few stages. The first step is to undergo a thorough examination and consultation with our dental team. This will allow us to determine if you’re a good candidate for dental implants.
If you are, the next step is to have the implant placed into your jawbone. This procedure is usually done under local anesthesia, and it’s relatively painless. Once the implant has been placed, it will need some time to fuse with your jawbone. This process can take several months, but it’s essential for the long-term success of the implant.
After the implant has fused with your bone, we’ll then place a small connector called an abutment on top of the implant. This will allow us to attach the custom-made crown or bridge to the implant. Once the tooth replacement is attached, you’ll have a fully functioning and natural-looking tooth!
The Benefits of Dental Implants
Now that you know how dental implants work, let’s talk about why they’re an excellent option for replacing missing teeth.
- You Look and Feel Better
Dental implants offer an incredible advantage – they not only appear natural but also provide a similar sensation to real teeth. The individually crafted crown or bridge is meticulously designed to look and feel exactly like your existing teeth, granting you a flawless smile. With such remarkable results, your confidence and self-esteem are bound to soar to new heights.
- Better Speech and Eating
Losing teeth can make it hard to talk clearly and enjoy all types of food. Dental implants solve these problems for you! They’re safely attached to your jawbone, so you can speak and eat without any problems or concerns.
- Long-Term Solution
Dental implants are reliable replacement for missing teeth. With good care, they can last for years, even a lifetime! Unlike dentures or bridges, dental implants don’t require frequent replacement or adjustment.
- Prevents Bone Loss
Losing a tooth can cause the bone in your jaw to weaken because the root of the missing tooth no longer stimulates it. This can lead to more oral health issues and even changes in your face shape. Dental implants serve as substitutes for tooth roots, stimulating the bone to prevent bone loss.
- No Impact on Surrounding Teeth
Dental implants don’t rely on neighboring teeth for support unlike other tooth replacement options. This means that your healthy teeth won’t be affected or compromised in any way during the implant procedure.
Types of Dental Implants
There are many kinds of dental implants to choose from, each with its own advantages and purposes. Your dentist will collaborate with you to find the ideal implant that suits your unique requirements and goals.
- Single Dental Implant
When you have one missing tooth, a single implant can be used to replace it. It consists of a titanium rod that is surgically placed into the jawbone topped with a dental crown to complete the look and function of a natural tooth.
- Mini Dental Implant
Mini implants are a smaller version of traditional dental implants. They are often used for patients who have less bone density in their jaw or for those who need multiple implants in one area.
- Multi-Tooth Dental Implant
Multi-tooth implants, or implant-supported bridges, can replace multiple missing teeth in a row. Instead of using individual implants for each tooth, the bridge is supported by two or more implant posts.
- Full Mouth Dental Implant
A full mouth implant, also called an implant-supported denture, is used when all teeth in one jaw are missing. It involves placing several implants strategically throughout the jawbone and attaching a custom-made denture to the implants.
- All-on-4 Implant
All-on-4 implants are a type of full-mouth implant that uses only four implants per jaw to support a full set of teeth. This option is ideal for patients who have experienced significant tooth loss in their upper or lower jaw.
- Same-Day Implant
As the name suggests, same-day implants allow patients to receive their implant and restoration in just one visit. This is made possible by using advanced technology and techniques that allow for immediate placement of implants after tooth extraction.
