Dental Implants
The Benefits and Importance of Dental Implants
Want to know more about why you should choose dental implants?
Single Tooth Dental Implants
Implant dentistry is the latest in missing tooth replacement, which involves placement of a “post” or implant into the jawbone. Once the implant has been fused into the bone (four to six months), an implant crown is custom made to fit the implant. Unlike a bridge, implant does not involve the adjacent teeth and a safe method to replacing missing tooth.
Implant Supported Bridges
An implant supported bridge is a restorative solution for spaces where three or more adjacent teeth are missing. This restoration typically requires two implants to support the porcelain bridge. The bridge provides a functional and aesthetic replacement for a patient’s natural teeth.
Implant Supported Dentures
For patients who are missing many or all of their teeth, implant supported dentures may be an alternative to traditional dentures. This solution requires the placement of two or more implants. In order to replace a full arch denture, a minimum of four implants is generally recommended. Eligibility for this solution is dependent upon a number of factors, with jaw bone density being one of the most significant determining factors.
Traditional dentures rely on an acrylic base that sits directly on the gums, held in place by a paste or adhesive. Using implants as supports for dentures allows for a smaller and more comfortable base and less shifting of the prosthesis during use.
Implants can support both full and partial dentures as well as both fixed and removable dentures. If a removable denture is selected, the denture will “snap” on to the implant rather than requiring the use of denture paste or adhesives.