DENTAL IMPLANTS

REPLACE MISSING TEETH

Dental implants are the ideal way to replace missing teeth, whether due to accident or periodontal disease, is a dental implant, which can be made of a variety of materials.

Implants stop the natural erosion of the jawbone which would continue if a missing tooth is not replaced. A denture does not prevent this and has to be adjusted every few years as the jaw shrinks. A dental bridge does stop the misalignment that occurs when a tooth is lost and the neighboring teeth naturally lean in to fill the gap and become loose themselves. However, bridges do not last nearly as long as implants, which can be semi-permanent, depending on how well you take care of your oral health.

EROSION PREVENTION

The implant itself is a metal screw, usually made of titanium, which the body readily accepts. It is surgically placed in the socket of the missing tooth (or after a loose tooth is extracted), which is then allowed to heal for 3-6 months.

We take an impression of the area to have a dental laboratory craft a crown that will look exactly like the neighboring teeth, to be placed on top. We send you home with a provisional to wear in the meantime to make it easy to chew and speak.

The crown can be made of a variety of materials, depending on the appearance you want, how strong it needs to be, and your budget:

Porcelain is the gold standard for being lifelike and strong, but there are other excellent options.
One is porcelain-infused metal (PFM), which provides a highly aesthetic artificial tooth that is very durable, but is less expensive
Zirconia is a biocompatible metal oxide similar to titanium that is extremely strong, resembles tooth enamel in color and translucence, and resists staining.
IPS e-max handcrafted crowns are made of lithium disilicate glass ceramic that combines lifelike opalescence and superior strength. We will discuss your goals and recommend the best options.

BOOK A CONSULT

Once the sockets have healed, you will return to the office and we will attach the crown to the implant with an abutment, then test the result for a comfortable bite and make any necessary adjustments.

Whether you are replacing a single tooth or many with dental implants, you will be amazed at how functional and attracted they are. No one who did not originally notice your missing teeth will ever know that you now have the most sophisticated implant possible.