Enhance, Restore, Renew
Dental Implants
Why Choose Dental Implants?
Dental implants are the best tooth replacement option because of how closely they simulate the appearance and feel of natural teeth. Implants preserve bone structure, allow for better chewing efficiency, and give patients more confidence to smile more!
What Happens After a Tooth is Lost?
A missing tooth can lead to changes to that area of the mouth over time, including bone loss and shifting of the teeth above and on either side of the missing tooth. This can also result in a more “sunken” appearance.
Can Dental Implants Prevent Bone Loss?
Yes! Dental implants prevent bone loss by preserving the bone around the implant, which strengthens the bone and builds support. Dental implants also prevent the shifting of surrounding teeth and prevent the sunken appearance, giving a more desirable aesthetic outcome.
Single Dental Implant
A dental implant is a small titanium post that is placed in the jawbone to replace missing teeth in the mouth. After placement, the implant will begin to fuse, or integrate, with the bone over the course of a few months. Once integration has occurred, the implant will be ready for attachment of the permanent replacement tooth.
Implant Supported Bridge
An implant-supported bridge replaces a larger area of missing teeth using two or more implants. This is a great restorative solution for replacing multiple teeth with a “fixed” option instead of replacing teeth with a partial denture.
Implant Supported Dentures
An implant-supported denture requires the placement of four to six dental implants as “anchors” to provide a sturdier fit and minimal mobility for your denture. With implant-supported dentures, there is no plate covering the roof of the mouth, so speaking and eating are more natural and comfortable than with traditional dentures.
Implant Retained Dentures
Available for full or partial dentures, implant-retained dentures require the placement of two or more dental implants to secure the dentures in the mouth. This type of denture will “snap” onto the implants and can be removed for cleaning at night.
Steps for Dental Implant Placement
Extraction of the Tooth
If an implant is planned to replace a broken and/or infected tooth, the tooth is first extracted. During the extraction appointment, a bone graft is placed in the tooth socket after the tooth is removed, which greatly aids in preserving the height and width of the bone in that area for future implant placement. The grafted area must heal for about 3-4 months before a 3D scan of the jawbone can be taken to evaluate the quality of the bone, and is used for planning the implant placement.
Surgical Placement of the Dental Implant
The implant is placed surgically, often using a custom-designed surgical guide, in the area where the tooth (or teeth) is missing. A healing cap is placed over the implant, and stitches are placed in the gums, as needed. In some cases, an implant can be placed on the same day as the tooth removal. This is referred to as “immediate implant placement” and, when it can be done, it saves a lot of time in the healing process. Your dentist will determine if you are a candidate for an immediate implant.
Crown Fabrication and Placement
After the implant has fully integrated and it has been verified to have adequate stability, an impression is taken and sent to a dental lab to make a crown to put on top of the implant. After impressions have been taken, it takes about 3 weeks to get a final abutment and crown back from the dental lab, at which time the crown will be seated, adjusted as needed to fit comfortably in the mouth, and secured to the implant.
Implant Post-Op Care and Maintenance
It is important to schedule regular cleanings and check-ups. Keeping up with these appointments is critical to the success and longevity of the implant. Implant teeth cannot develop cavities; however, you must brush and floss diligently around the implant the same as you would a natural tooth.
Crown Lengthening
At Vachon Dental, crown lengthening is a routine periodontal surgical procedure that is sometimes needed to expose more tooth structure by lowering the gum line. Crown lengthening is typically recommended in situations when a tooth is broken or decayed too far below the gums, or if a tooth is too short to retain a crown. In many cases, crown lengthening is needed to make a restorative or cosmetic procedure possible, and sometimes, crown lengthening is the only option to save a tooth.
The Treatment Process
Crown lengthening treatment of a single tooth can be a straightforward procedure, which in most cases can be performed under local anesthesia. After numbing the area, an incision is made around the tooth and adjacent teeth to provide access to reduce the bone. Following these adjustments, the gum tissue is positioned further down the root and sutured in place. Healing is quick with only minimal discomfort, and the area is evaluated in about 4-6 weeks to determine if you are ready to move forward with any previously recommended restorative treatment.
Transform your smile and reclaim optimal oral health with our personalized dental implants solutions—schedule a consultation today by calling 603-627-2092!