DENTAL IMPLANTS
Dental Implants
Dental implants can last a lifetime with proper placement and diligent patient maintenance. A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that is placed into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge. Dental implants are an ideal option for people in good general oral health who have lost a tooth or teeth due to periodontal disease, an injury, or some other reason. Dental implants are natural-looking and feel like your own teeth.
Single Tooth Dental Implants
Even a single missing tooth can have a huge impact on your overall oral health, causing remaining teeth to shift and contributing to decay and gum disease. Dr. Joiner or Dr. Zwart can restore the tooth to its original form with a dental implant, which is the only tooth-replacement option that replaces the tooth, as well as the tooth’s root. A single titanium post anchored in the jawbone serves as the tooth’s root, and a custom-designed crown replaces the portion that shows when you smile. Implant-supported crowns look and feel natural, and they help prevent the jawbone deterioration that accompanies tooth loss.
Replacing a single tooth with a dental implant has become a very common procedure and the technology has improved over the years. Therefore, simple cases with ample bone are able to be completed in our office. Because of this we are able to keep your cost lower making the procedure more affordable.
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.
