Introduction to Dental Implants

Did you realize that your confidence about your teeth and appearance affects how you feel about yourself, both personally and professionally? Perhaps you hide your smile because of spaces from missing teeth or feelings of insecurity because your dentures don't feel secure; maybe you have difficulty chewing.

A dental implant is an artificial tooth (a small titanium cylinder or screw that looks like a tooth root) that is placed into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge in place. While high-tech in nature, dental implants are actually more tooth-saving than traditional bridgework and since implants do not rely on neighboring teeth for support, you can preserve and protect your remaining natural teeth while implants support the crowns that replace your missing teeth. Dental implants can be so natural looking and feeling that you may forget you ever lost a tooth.

The number and position of implants needed in your case will be determined by which teeth are missing and where support will be needed. When one tooth is lost, a single restoration (crown) is used to replace the missing tooth – each prosthetic tooth attaches to its own implant. A fixed partial prosthesis (fixed bridge) can replace two or more teeth and may require only two or three implants where less than three teeth are missing. A complete dental prosthesis (fixed bridge) replaces all of the teeth in your upper or lower jaw and it can be planned to be a fixed restoration or a removable prosthesis. The number of implants varies depending upon which type of prosthesis (over denture or fixed bridge) and the condition of the teeth in the opposing arch. A removable prosthesis attaches to a bar or precision attachments, whereas a fixed prosthesis is permanent and removable only by the dentist.

Implants are a team effort between the Surgeon and the Restorative Dentist. While your Periodontist performs the actual implant surgery and any initial tooth extractions and bone grafting needed, your General Dentist fits and makes the permanent prosthesis. Your general dentist will also make any temporary prosthesis needed during the implant process. Depending on your specific condition and the type of implants and restorations that are chosen, you will be provided a treatment plan tailored to meet your needs.

Our doctors perform in-office implant surgery in a hospital-style operating suite, thus optimizing the level of sterility. Inpatient hospital implant surgery is reserved for patients who have special medical or anesthetic needs.

If you are missing one or more teeth and would like to smile, speak and eat again with comfort and confidence, we have good news for you! Dental implants can fill these missing spaces with teeth that can look and feel just like your own!