Dental
Implants
Dental Implants
Missing teeth can not only affect your smile and confidence, they can also affect your speech, muscle tone and face shape, your ability to chew and your overall health. If missing teeth are not replaced, they can also affect the alignment of your remaining teeth.
Whether gum disease, trauma or issues with your health are the culprit for your loss of teeth, dental implants can bring back your brilliant smile and give you a new lease on life.
Different types of dental implants
Standard dental implants
Dental implants can be used for single or multiple tooth replacement. A single tooth replacement uses one implant that supports a single artificial tooth. If you have more than one tooth that needs replacing, you will need additional implants, or larger implants to support your replacement teeth. If you have a small space between your teeth, don’t worry. Mini or micro implants use smaller screws to replace teeth.
If your smile gets you down due to missing, broken, crooked, stained or unhealthy teeth, you can replace your entire mouth full of teeth with dental implants. Some patients choose to replace either the upper jaw of teeth, the lower jaw, or the entire mouth. If you are considering major restoration, consult your dentist for the best advice.
Fixed bridgework
When multiple teeth are missing, bridgework may be required. Fixed bridges do not rely on the support of your remaining teeth like standard bridges. Dental implants are responsible for supporting the bridgework.
Implant supported Dentures
When you think of dentures, you think of the false teeth your grandmother used to keep in a glass of water beside her bed, right? These days, dentures can be implant-supported to provide a more permanent and secure fix. Implant-supported dentures use special attachments to reduce movement.
When you choose implant-supported dentures, there is no need to remove and clean your dentures or worry about losing, dropping or breaking them. Implant-supported dentures are secure, comfortable, feel natural and will not irritate your gums or cause gum and bone damage, like traditional dentures sometimes can. Dentures can be made to closely resemble your original smile or can be designed to improve your smile.
You will be a candidate for implant-supported dentures if you have enough bone in your jaw to support implants.
IMPLANT SUPPORTED FIXED TEETH ( ALL ON 4 )
What Are All-On-4 Dental Implants?
Unlike removable dentures, All-on-4 dental implants are a permanent solution for a healthier smile for life. “All-on-4” lets you replace your dentures straight away, without the lengthy procedure for conventional implants.
All-on-4 dental implants are a whole set of teeth that rest on 4 dental implants. The four titanium implants support a fixed dental prosthesis with 10 to 14 teeth. Once placed, your replacement teeth will look, feel, and chew similar to your natural teeth.This treatment is popular as the prosthesis is placed immediately, so patients can immediately replace missing teeth.
DENTAL IMPLANTS FROM PROFESSIONALS
The whole staff is great. Super professional
and friendly. They add that extra personal
touch and really get to know you.
- Emily K.
Caring for your dental implants
Dental implants look, feel and function like real teeth and should be cared for like real teeth. Dental implants are permanent, strong, secure and hassle-free, but this doesn’t mean you can neglect them.
Dental implants are permanent if you care for them properly. Treat your implants as you would your real teeth and practice good oral hygiene:
- brushing twice daily
- floss daily
- visit your dentist for regular check-ups.
- avoid chewy and sugary foods
- limit citrus fruits
- limit tea, coffee, wine and soft drink
- quit smoking
DENTAL IMPLANTS Q&A
What are dental implants?
Dental implants replace the root of missing teeth. Metal posts become your new tooth root and are surgically inserted into your mouth. Implants can be placed into or above your jawbone. When it comes to replacing missing teeth, dental implants are a popular choice providing a safe, secure and long-term solution.
Once your implant is carefully positioned, your dentist can mount replacement teeth, crowns, or fix bridges to them. Dental implants look and feel natural, and if cared for properly, can last you a lifetime.
Dental implants are usually applied in two stages. If your dentist has recommended a traditional dental implant, your gum will firstly be cut open to expose your jawbone. The implant is then drilled into and implanted into your jawbone. The second stage, once your gums have healed, is when your artificial tooth, crown or bridge is mounted or fixed. Once your gums heal, your implant will become securely fastened in your jawbone.
The implant experts at Diamond District Dental are proud to only use premium implants from Straumann — the most advanced dental implant company in the world.
Why use dental implants?
When you have missing, broken or damaged teeth, it can be a huge knock to your confidence, not to mention placing you at risk of nasty side effects for your remaining teeth and your overall health. Dental implants can restore your smile, bring back your confidence and keep your oral health in tip-top condition.
Without a full set of teeth, you run the risk of losing face shape and muscle tone. It can affect your speech, your ability to chew and can also cause your remaining teeth to become misaligned.
If you lose teeth due to gum disease or ill health, you should contact your dentist immediately to treat the situation and nip the problem in the bud before it’s too late. Likewise, teeth lost due to trauma should be addressed immediately.
Are dental implants right for me?
To be a candidate for dental implants, you must have healthy gums and sufficient bone to support an implant. If you don’t have sufficient bone, you may require a bone graft. Your dental professional will provide you with a thorough examination of your teeth and advise on the best course of action for bringing back a healthy smile.
WHY ARE DENTAL IMPLANTS THE BEST OPTION FOR TOOTH REPLACEMENT?
A missing tooth leaves a gap in your gums that can cause severe oral health consequences, including:
- Jawbone degrading due to lack of stress from biting
- Teeth next to the gap leaning toward it and possibly falling into it
- Opposite teeth growing in the direction of the gap
- Mouth sagging
- Pain in the jaw
- Pain chewing and impaired chewing
- Improperly chewed food
- Trouble speaking
A dental implant extends into your jawbone, like a natural tooth root. That means when you bite and chew with your implant, it puts healthy stress on your jawbone, stimulating it to produce new bone cells. Other forms of tooth replacement, such as dentures and dental bridges, don’t do that.
HOW IS THE DENTAL IMPLANT INSERTED?
Dental implants are inserted in an in-office procedure that takes about one hour per tooth. First, your Diamond District Dental dentist evaluates your jaw to be sure there’s enough bone to accept the post. If not, you may receive a bone graft that can take months to fuse and grow.
Once your bone is ready, your Diamond District Dental professional inserts the implant post into your jawbone. You get a temporary crown to wear during the six to 12 weeks it takes for your jawbone to fuse to the post.
Your dentist places your custom-designed crown on the post after the post has fused to the jawbone. Your jaw and gums heal over the next few months.
After healing, you can treat your dental implant like a real tooth. That means you can eat normally and clean the implant during your regular brushing and flossing sessions.
WHAT KINDS OF ADVANTAGES CAN I EXPECT FROM A DENTAL IMPLANT?
The main advantage of a dental implant is that it’s almost like having a natural tooth again; no other tooth-replacement technique can give you that. They also:
- Protect against infection
- Keep your teeth in alignment
- Are permanent
You don’t need to suffer the embarrassment and pain of tooth loss anymore. Call Diamond District Dental or book an online appointment for your dental implant procedure today.
