If you have missing teeth, it may cause embarrassment and functional issues like jaw joint pain or difficulty chewing. Dental implants are becoming the most popular choice for tooth replacement. Whether you want to replace a single tooth or you are interested in implant dentures to replace all of your teeth, dental implants offer unsurpassed durability, functionality, and aesthetics. At Exceptional Dentistry, our doctors are well-trained in implant placement and ensure you will be pleased with your results. With proper care and maintenance, your implants could last the rest of your life.
Are dental implants the best choice for replacing missing teeth?
Every smile is unique. Therefore, treatment is unique, too. At Exceptional Dentistry, we believe that the best tooth replacement treatment is one that fulfills the patient’s smile needs.
However, consider these dental implant benefits to help you decide if this treatment is right for you:
Long-lasting
Implant posts are made from titanium, one of the strongest materials available. With proper care and maintenance, dental implants can last 30 years or longer. In contrast, other tooth replacement options may only last five to 10 years.
Provides chewing stability
Since implants are secured by your jawbone, they provide chewing stability better than any other tooth-replacement option. With dental implants, your food choices are not limited, which may help improve your overall health.
Natural results
Dental implants replace the root and crown of the missing tooth. Therefore, they look, feel, and function almost like natural teeth. Once in place, you won’t be able to distinguish the look or feel from your other teeth.
Improved oral health
Dental implants also provide oral health benefits, including jawbone stimulation for bone density and strength, and help support your facial structures like your cheeks and lips for a more youthful appearance. Plus, filling the gaps left by missing teeth will help maintain your tooth alignment, preventing them from drifting and causing misaligned teeth or jaw joint issues related to TMJ disorder.
How do dental implants work?
Dental implants consist of three components and involve several appointments to complete.
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The components include:
- Implant post, placed by an experienced oral surgeon.
- An abutment serves as a connector between the implant post and the crown.
- An implant crown, placed by our cosmetic dentists in Louisville.
The treatment plan may follow this timeline in most cases.
- The dentist assesses your oral health during your first appointment and takes x-rays to determine if you are eligible for dental implants. Ensuring you have adequate, healthy jawbone and gums is necessary for the longevity of your implant.
- Next, we’ll refer you to one of Louisville’s best oral surgeons for the implant placement procedure. Afterward, a healing period of about four to six months is needed to allow the bone to fuse to the implant, creating a stable foundation for the implant crown.
- Once the implant is stable, work begins to make your dental crown. You return to Exceptional Dentistry for impressions to be taken that are used by the dental lab that fabricates your crown.
- A couple of weeks later, your dental crown is ready for placement. The dentist connects the crown to the abutment that connects to the top of the implant. We’ll check your bite and ensure everything feels natural and comfortable.
Other Ways Implants Can Help Restore Your Smile
While dental implants replace a single missing tooth, they can also be used in conjunction with dental bridges or dentures. Suppose you have more than one missing tooth in a row. A dental bridge may be a viable option for tooth replacement. However, a traditional dental bridge requires a healthy tooth on both sides of the space. A dental implant support bridge may be an option for patients missing two or more teeth in a row.
Dental implant-supported bridges work similarly to a single implant. Instead of a single dental crown, though, our cosmetic dentists design a bridge that is three or more crowns fused together as one unit. The bridge looks like separate teeth, although the crowns connect, forming a bridge from the implant post to the nearest healthy tooth or another implant.
Implant-retained dentures or locator dentures offer a way to restore your smile while adding stability to your bite. If you wear dentures or are considering getting dentures for the first time, ask if implant-retained dentures are right for you. This treatment involves placing four or more implants along each dental arch, which serve as anchors for specially made dentures that snap into place for a secure bite. Since traditional dentures are known to slip and shift while speaking and eating, implant-retained dentures are often a better choice. You can have a confident smile without worrying about your dentures moving around when you eat or speak.
All-on-4 implant system is another tooth replacement option for patients missing all their teeth. The All-on-4 implant system also referred to as hybrid dentures, uses four implants to secure a permanent set of replacement teeth made of a single unit. Unlike implant-retained dentures that allow you to remove your false teeth when needed, the All-on-4 system permanently secures your replacement teeth so that you never have to worry about taking them out. It’ll almost be like having your real teeth again, except better because the porcelain teeth will be in perfect alignment and a natural white shade free of stains.
