Dental Implants Avery Dental Center offers dental implants to individuals who want to replace their missing teeth with a permanent solution that looks and acts like a natural tooth. There are several implant procedures that may be suitable, depending on the extent of your tooth loss.What Are Dental Implants?The dental implant procedure is a restorative dentistry option that provides replacements for missing teeth. An implant is a three-part prosthetic. The implant is inserted under the gum into the jawbone to take the place of a tooth root. An abutment (connector) attaches to the implant which protrudes through the gums where a false tooth (crown) is attached on top to complete the procedure. Although one dental implant was traditionally used to replace one tooth, these days there are more options for replacing multiple teeth. Thanks to new innovations and advancements in technology dentists, multiple or even all the teeth can be replaced using fewer implants. Some of the multiple tooth options include: All on 4The All-on-4® procedure is an innovative solution for those who have lost all of their teeth in either the upper or lower jaw. The implant replaces a whole arch of teeth that are attached permanently on four dental implants. Thanks to two front and two rear implants that are longer and positioned at acute angles, more bone contact is generated which leads to greater stability. Implant Supported DentureThis is another option for individuals who have no teeth. However, unlike the All-on-4 where the arch of teeth is permanently attached, implant-supported dentures are removable. The implants are permanent, providing a stable base to attach the removable dentures, which simply snap on and off as required. Implant Supported BridgeAn implant-supported bridge can support several missing teeth in a row. In this scenario, two implants are placed on each side of a gap and then covered with a bridge that goes over the gaps. Am I A Good Candidate For a Dental Implant?Although dental implants are a good solution for many people, they aren't suitable for everyone. Before you are considered for dental implant surgery, you will have to undergo a thorough examination and assessment of your jaws and mouth first. If you suffer from any kind of blood clotting disorder, or long-term health issues such as diabetes then there may be complications that make an implant impractical. However, these instances are assessed on a case-by-case basis. One of the most prevalent issues for patients who want dental implants is bone loss in the jawbone. Periodontal disease, which affects many Americans, causes bone loss in the jawbone, resulting in tooth loss. However, there are options to build up the bone sufficiently to hold an implant with a bone graft. Smoking cigarettes can hinder the healing process because smoke reduces blood flow in the body which is important for transporting nutrients that fight infection and help the tissues to heal. This is a major problem when the implants have first been placed when integration with the jawbone is crucial to the success of the implant. However, in terms of implant longevity, patients who smoke tend to experience gum disease more than non-smokers, which can also affect the implant and cause it to fail. Find out more about dental implants at Avery Dental Center. Call our office at (380) 257-1684 to make an appointment. |
