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Dental Implants

Replacement Teeth That Look and Feel Like Your Own

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that a surgeon places into the jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge. Dental implants are an ideal option for people who have lost a tooth or teeth due to periodontal disease, an injury, or some other reason.

Dental implants are more tooth-saving than traditional bridgework since implants do not rely on neighboring teeth for support.

Dental implants are replacement teeth that can look and feel just like your own! Under proper conditions, such as placement by a periodontist and diligent patient maintenance, implants can last a lifetime. Long-term studies continue to show very high success rates for implants.

What Can Dental Implants Do?

  • Replace one or more teeth without affecting bordering teeth.
  • Support a bridge and eliminate the need for a removable partial denture.
  • Provide support for a denture, making it more efficient, secure and comfortable.

Advantages of Dental Implants Over Dentures or a Bridge

Dental implants are an excellent solution to the problem of missing teeth.

  • Esthetic-Dental implants can look and feel just like your own teeth! Since dental implants integrate into the structure of your bone, they prevent the bone loss and gum recession that often accompany bridgework and dentures.
  • Tooth-saving Dental implants don’t sacrifice the quality of your adjacent teeth like a bridge does because neighboring teeth are not altered to support the implant. More of your own teeth are left untouched, a significant long-term benefit to your oral health!
  • Confidence– Dental implants will allow you to once again speak and eat with comfort and confidence! They are secure and stable.
  • Reliable – The success rate of dental implants is highly predictable. They are considered an excellent option for tooth replacement.

Are You a Candidate for Dental Implants?

The ideal candidate for a dental implant is one who is in good general and oral health and has adequate jaw bone needed to support the implant. The best candidates have healthy gum tissues that are free of periodontal disease. However, there are many patients with medical conditions as well as insufficient bone. We specialize in managing these complicated cases where jaw augmentation procedures are performed to assist implant placement and long term success. We pride ourselves with many years of experience with multiple implant systems and understanding of the biology behind implant dentistry.

Dental implants are intimately connected with the gum tissues and underlying bone in the mouth. Since periodontists are the dental experts who specialize in precisely these areas, they are ideal members of your dental implant team.

What Is Treatment Like?

This procedure is a team effort between you, your general dentist and your periodontist. Your periodontist and dentist will consult with you to determine where and how your implant should be placed. Depending on your specific condition and the type of implant chosen, your periodontist will create a treatment plan tailored to meet your needs. Click for more information about the treatment options described below.

  • Replacing a Single Tooth – If you are missing a single tooth, one implant and a crown can replace it. A dental implant replaces both the lost natural tooth and its root.
  • Replacing Several Teeth – If you are missing several teeth, implant-supported bridges can replace them. Dental implants will replace both your lost natural teeth and some of the roots.
  • Replacing All of Your Teeth – If you are missing all of your teeth, an implant-supported full bridge or full denture can replace them. Dental implants will replace both your lost natural teeth and some of the roots.
  • Sinus Augmentation – A key to implant success is the quantity and quality of the bone where the implant is to be placed. The upper back jaw has traditionally been one of the most difficult areas to successfully place dental implants due to insufficient bone quantity and quality and the close proximity to the sinus. Sinus augmentation can help correct this problem by raising the sinus floor and developing bone for the placement of dental implants.
  • Ridge Modification – Deformities in the upper or lower jaw can leave you with inadequate bone in which to place dental implants. To correct the problem, the gum is lifted away from the ridge to expose the bony defect. The defect is then filled with bone or bone substitute to build up the ridge. Ridge modification has been shown to greatly improve appearance and increase your chances for successful implants that can last for years to come.

What Can I Expect After Treatment?

As you know, your own teeth require conscientious at-home oral care and regular dental visits. Dental implants are like your own teeth and will require the same care. In order to keep your implant clean and plaque-free, brushing and flossing still apply!

After treatment, your periodontist will work closely with you and your dentist to develop the best care plan for you. Periodic follow-up visits will be scheduled to monitor your implant, teeth, and gums to make sure they are healthy.

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