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Dental Implants
Dental implants are anchoring
units for natural-looking replacements for missing
teeth. Whether it’s one tooth or all of your teeth, most
dental professionals agree that implants are superior to
conventional dentures. In fact, you could say implants
are the closest substitute to having your natural teeth.
The placement of an implant generally is a three-part
process that takes several months. An implant consists
of the implant body, implant abutment, and implant
crown.
If you are missing teeth,
there are plenty of reasons to correct the problem:
- A gap between your teeth, if obvious when you smile or speak, is a cosmetic
concern.
- Missing teeth may affect your speech.
- Missing a molar might not be noticeable when you
talk or smile, but its absence can affect chewing.
- When a tooth is removed, the biting force on the
remaining teeth begins to change. As the bite
changes to compensate for the lost tooth, there is a
risk of extra pressure and discomfort on the jaw
joints, which may lead to temporomandibular
disorder, also known as TMD.
- If a missing tooth is not replaced, the
surrounding teeth can shift. Harmful plaque and
tartar can collect in new hard-to-reach places
created by the shifting teeth. Over time, this may
lead to tooth decay and periodontal disease.
- Bone loss can occur in the region of the missing
tooth.
- An implant can be used to support a bridge or
denture.
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Implant supported full or partial
dentures:
Dental implants eliminate the pain
and discomfort of removable full or partial dentures.
Since dentures sit on top of the jawbone and gums,
continuous shrinkage of the jaw bone changes the fit of
the denture resulting in slipping or rocking of the
dentures. Dental implant supported replacement teeth are
like natural teeth because they are anchored securely to
your jawbone. Gum irritation and the pain of exposed
nerves associated with conventional full or partial
dentures are eliminated. Just think, no more
uncomfortable dentures. Never again worry about
slippage, embarrassing gaps, sore spots or adhesives.
Dental implants can give you the confidence, look and
feel you deserve.
Implants in place of full or partial
dentures:
Dental implants can eliminate the
numerous embarrassing inconveniences of removable
partial and full dentures. You will eliminate the use of
sticky denture adhesives that must be applied many times
throughout the day. You will no longer need to cover
your mouth when you laugh or smile, for fear that your
teeth will pop out.
Dental implants allow you to eat the things you like
without fear. The average denture patient with an
excellent fitting denture eats at 15-20% efficiency when
compared to a person with natural teeth. As the jawbone
shrinks, your chewing efficiency is reduces even more,
making it difficult to eat certain foods. Dental
implants, on the other hand, can restore chewing
efficiency comparable to that of natural teeth. This
allows you to eat your favorite foods with confidence
and without pain. A full upper denture covers the palate
of the mouth and reduces the ability to taste foods.
With dental implants, you can have the palate removed
from your upper denture so you taste and enjoy your
food.
Dental implants give you improved speech ability. With
ill fitting dentures the teeth slip and slide around the
mouth. The facial muscles become tense in an attempt to
hold the teeth in place. This often results in mumbling,
slurred speech or clicking noises. Implant supported
replacement teeth allow you to speak with confidence in
a relaxed and natural tone.
Great Investment:
Although dental implant treatment
may initially be more expensive than other treatment
methods it often turns out to be the best investment
from a long term perspective since most patients can
expect them to last a lifetime. Other treatment methods
like bridges and dentures often require regular
alterations and adjustments over time.
If you are considering dental
implants Dr. Smith will help determine if you would be a
good candidate.
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