Dental Implants
 Tooth loss has several significant effects on your life. Even the loss of just one tooth can have major effects. Not only is the appearance of your smile affected, but tooth loss can also cause difficulties with eating and speaking. Any healthy teeth still in your jaw begin to shift out of natural alignment as your jawbone begins to weaken. This can throw off your bite and lead to several other issues, including bruxism and temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ). Missing teeth should be replaced. Singing River Dentistry can replace your missing teeth with dental implants.
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Components of Dental Implants
Dental implants are a recent addition to the options available for tooth replacement, having been in use since their first successful implantation in 1965. Since their first placement, implants have undergone numerous developments, making them better, stronger, and more reliable.
Dental implants consist of three components:
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Titanium posts. The titanium posts are the actual implants. These posts are surgically inserted into your jawbone. As you heal, your bone fuses with them in a natural process known as osseointegration. This process stabilizes the posts within your jaw, enabling them to securely hold your new teeth in place.
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Abutments. The abutments are the connectors that provide stability for your replacement teeth. These pieces are placed on the exposed ends of the titanium posts.
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Crowns. The crowns, typically made from ceramic, are your replacement teeth. They replace the visible portion of your missing teeth, restoring your abilities to bite, chew, and speak. They also restore the appearance of your smile. |
Types of Dental Implants
Dental implants are a versatile treatment that can be used in some different tooth loss situations. To meet numerous needs, there are several different types of dental implants.
Types of implants include:
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Single tooth. With this treatment, a single post holds a single crown, replacing an individual tooth.
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Multiple teeth. Two or more crowns are supported by one or more posts. This type of implant is often called an implant supported bridge.
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Full arch replacement. When you are missing an entire arch of teeth, a common treatment is an implant supported denture. This treatment uses six to eight posts to support your new teeth.
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The All-on-4 Treatment Concept. If you are missing an entire arch of teeth, but are lacking enough bone mass to support six to eight posts, you may be a candidate for All-on-4. This treatment uses only four posts, which are placed in your jaw in a way that enables them to maximize contact with your existing bone mass. |
Dental implants offer numerous benefits, including:
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The crowns look just like your natural teeth. Ceramic can be made to blend in perfectly, and the material reflects light just like tooth enamel.
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They feel completely natural.
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They function just like your natural teeth. You can go back to enjoying all of your favorite foods. Additionally, your speech is also restored, and you do not need to worry about relearning how to speak.
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They are comfortable. Your teeth are supported by the posts rather than your gums.
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They are easy to take care of.
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The posts restore stimulation to your jawbone, stopping and preventing bone loss in your jaw. |
Are There Any Downsides?
While there are several advantages to dental implants, they do also have their downsides as well, which includes:
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You have to undergo a surgical procedure.
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Your recovery could last several months.
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If you do not have enough bone mass in your jaw, you may need a bone graft, which is an additional surgery that has a lengthy recovery period.
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If you do not properly care for your implants, you can develop gum disease, which, untreated, can cause implant failure. |
Schedule an Appointment
When you lose your teeth, no matter if it is just one or you are missing several, replacing them is crucial for giving you back your quality of life. Call Singing River Dentistry today at to schedule your appointment and find out if dental implants are the right option for you.
Request an Appointment
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