Despite improvements in dental care, millions of Americans suffer tooth loss — mostly due to tooth decay, periodontal disease or injury. For many years, the only treatment options available for people with missing teeth were bridges and dentures. But, today, dental implants are available.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are replacement tooth roots. Implants provide a strong foundation for fixed (permanent) or removable replacement teeth that are made to match your natural teeth. They can be used to restore your smile whether you are missing a single tooth or need to replace a full arch of missing teeth, thus creating a beautiful, confident smile.

What Are the Advantages of Dental Implants?

There are many advantages to dental implants, including:

• Improved appearance.Dental implants look and feel like your own teeth. And because they are designed to fuse with bone, they become permanent.
• Improved speech.With poor-fitting dentures, the teeth can slip within the mouth causing you to mumble or slur your words. Dental implants allow you to speak without the worry that teeth might slip.
• Improved comfort.Because they become part of you, implants eliminate the discomfort of removable dentures.
• Easier eating.Sliding dentures can make chewing difficult. Dental implants function like your own teeth, allowing you to eat your favorite foods with confidence and without pain.
• Improved self-esteem.Dental implants can give you back your smile and help you feel better about yourself.
• Improved oral health.Dental implants don’t require reducing other teeth, as a tooth-supported bridge does. Because nearby teeth are not altered to support the implant, more of your own teeth are left intact, improving long-term oral health. Individual implants also allow easier access between teeth, improving oral hygiene.
• Implants are very durable and will last many years. With good care, many implants last a lifetime.
• Removable dentures are just that; removable. Dental implants eliminate the embarrassing inconvenience of removing dentures, as well as the need for messy adhesives to keep them in place.

How Successful Are Dental Implants?

Success rates of dental implants vary, depending on where in the jaw the implants are placed but, in general, dental implants have a success rate of up to 98%. With proper care, implants can last a lifetime

Single Tooth Implant

Replacing a single missing tooth requires a single dental implant which consists of three parts:The Implant: It is usually made of Titanium and looks somewhat like a screw. The implant is placed into your empty root socket and left to heal for 3-4 months to integrate with your jaw bone. This will create a lasting bond that will support your jaw structure.

1. The Abutment: This is small connector which connects the Implant inside the bone to the dental crown.
2. The Dental Crown: This is the Tooth shaped part above your gumline which you see in your mouth. The dental crown is made of a highly durable material called Zirconia. It is colored and shaped to match your natural smile. Once the permanent crown is installed, you won’t be able to tell the difference between your prosthetic tooth and your natural teeth.
   

Implant-secured Bridge

An implant-secured bridge offers an alternative for more than one missing teeth next to each other. The process is almost similar to a single implant except it consists of 2 implants on both ends of the gap where the missing teeth were. The 2 implants act as support pillars for 2 or more dental crowns joined together. The final bridge is then fixed to the implants with 2 abutments. You should clean and care for your dental bridge as if it were your natural teeth. Routine dental check-ups, and a diligent at-home oral hygiene routine, can keep your implant-secured bridge beautiful and functional for many years to come.

Implant Over Denture

Dentures have been used for centuries to replace a full arch or full sets of missing teeth. Patients who wear dentures don’t show their smile as often because a denture falling out while eating or speaking is a common fear. Implant Overdentures are secured by snapping on to 2-4 implants but are easily removable for cleaning. Securing a denture with dental implants adds support for the denture, thus improving the patient’s overall experience.

Overdentures combine the strategic placement of two or more dental implants with the convenience of full or partial removable dentures. This connection with implants provides heightened stability and denture retention, improving biting force and ability while eliminating denture slippage and other concerns. Overdentures provide an option that feels permanent but can be removed for cleaning and maintenance of implants.