A Permanent Option for Tooth Replacement
Traditional bridges and dentures can be used to replace missing teeth, but what if you want a more permanent solution? Dental implants can last a very long time with the right maintenance. On top of that, many dentists and patients see them as the next best thing to natural teeth! At Weston Dental Specialists Group, our team can personally handle every step of the dental implant process. Call us today to start on the path toward rebuilding your smile!
Why Choose Weston Dental Specialists Group for Dental Implants?
- Start-to-Finish Dental Implant Procedures
- Skilled Periodontist and Knowledgeable Prosthodontists
- Team That Prioritizes Comfort and Convenience
What Are Dental Implants?
There are three main parts of a dental implant: the post, the prosthesis, and the abutment. The post is shaped like a screw and is surgically inserted into the jawbone, allowing it to fulfill the same functions as your natural tooth roots. Meanwhile, the prosthesis is the crown, bridge, or denture that will be used to replace your missing teeth. Finally, the abutment is the metal connector piece that will keep your prosthesis firmly anchored to the implant posts so that it doesn’t slip when you don’t want it to.
The 4-Step Dental Implant Process
- Initial Dental Implant Consultation: An initial consultation needs to be held to confirm that you’re a good candidate for dental implants as well as whether preparatory procedures such as bone grafting will be necessary.
- Dental Implant Surgery: After your mouth is numbed, your gums will be opened, and the implant posts will be surgically placed into the jawbone. Each post will be inserted into precisely the right spot at a carefully chosen angle.
- Osseointegration/Abutment: Your implant posts will need about three to six months to fuse with the jawbone. Once they do, they will be ready to receive abutments.
- Delivery of the Final Restoration: Impressions of your mouth will be taken so that the final crown, bridge, or denture can be designed. Once the prosthesis in question is ready, it can be attached to your implant posts.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Because dental implants essentially act as artificial tooth roots, they can stimulate your jaw and prevent bone loss. On top of that, they offer better chewing power and stability than other tooth-replacement options, which means you will be able to eat virtually anything you want without issue. And if you take good care of your dental implants (which is easy since you can brush and floss them as if they were real teeth), they can last for decades.
Who Dental Implants Can Help
Before you can get dental implants, our team will need to make sure that you meet the following criteria:
- Your mouth is healthy and free of issues such as gum disease.
- There is plenty of bone present in your jaw.
- You are able to commit to an excellent oral hygiene routine to maintain your dental implants.
If you are able to get dental implants, it’s worth remembering that the treatment can look different from patient to patient depending on the number of teeth that need to be replaced.
Missing One Tooth
Instead of having your remaining natural teeth permanently altered to support a dental bridge, you can simply fill the gap left by a single missing tooth with one dental implant post. Said post can support a crown that blends right in with the rest of your smile.
Missing Multiple Teeth
There’s no need to get a dental implant post for every single tooth that you’ve lost. If three or more teeth in a row are gone, they can be replaced with a bridge that uses a pair of dental implants for support. You can also fill in multiple gaps in your smile with implant partial dentures.
Missing All Teeth
Why worry about a traditional full denture that might slip at awkward moments when you can get a stable, reliable implant denture to replace all your missing teeth at once? Implant dentures typically require around four to eight implant posts, and they can either be removable or fixed in place.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants
The number of implant posts and the kind of prosthesis you need will influence the amount that you end up paying. Also, you may have to make room in your budget for bone grafting and other preparatory procedures. Don’t forget that dental implants typically last much longer than other forms of tooth replacement, so they can actually end up saving you money.