Tooth decay, injury, a genetic condition, or gum disease often result in missing teeth. Irrespective of the cause, advancements in prosthetic dentistry allow you to restore your smile with dental implants. Losing a precious tooth may impacting your smile while also weakening your jawbone and altering your bite and ability to chew.
Implants are a functional addition and allow you to enhance your mouth’s overall health and appeal by replacing a lost tooth or multiple lost teeth. Your oral surgeon takes the condition of your general health, gums, jawbone, and teeth into consideration while determining the best course of action. Search now for teeth implants near me to treat terminal decay or gum disease around your existing teeth and to prevent bone loss from arising.
With your oral surgeon’s intervention, the following options can put your mouth back in order:
Dental Implants
Placing a dental implant involves replacing your missing tooth’s root without altering your existing set of teeth. The dental implant functions similarly to a regular tooth, so you cannot tell the difference while smiling, speaking, chewing, or brushing. The dental implant placement procedure is frequently performed under dental implant sedation and completed by your restorative dentist placing an abutment, or connector from the implant to crown, and then placing a dental crown.
Dental Implant
Dental Implant + Abutment + Crown
Maintains healthy teeth
“Traditional” Dental Bridge
requires grinding of natural teeth
Implant Bridge
Dental Implant Bridge
A dental bridge replaces one or more missing teeth with anchor teeth, or alternatively, implants, on either side. A “traditional” dental bridge is cemented after grinding the teeth which lie adjacent to your missing tooth. Implant-supported bridges, however, rely on surgically placed dental implants to secure the bridge. Since dental implants are made of titanium metal, they are not prone to break or decay like natural teeth.
When adequately maintained, dental implant bridges are a more permanent solution to missing teeth. An implant bridge allows your oral surgeon to replace three to four teeth in a row without any filing down of your healthy adjacent teeth.
Fixed Implant Denture
If you are stuck with dentures and crave for a secure bite, all on 4® dental implants maybe your best option. Whether you are missing all of your teeth, or all of our teeth are failing and need replacement, a fixed implant denture with full mouth dental implants come to the rescue.
Your full-arch prosthetic teeth are affixed to your jawbone using four or more fixed implants to guarantee support. What is encouraging is that this permanent tooth replacement solution does not warrant bone grafting, and it preserves healthy tissues.
All on four® implants are secured in place and the secure teeth, or fixed prosthesis, can only be removed you your dentist annually for cleaning. An All-on-4® Secure Bite offers long-term stability and improved chewing ability without the need for special denture adhesives. In a scenario where you are missing most or all of your teeth and facing significant bone loss, this procedure is often advisable. You no longer have to rely on your cheek and tongue muscles, or denture adhesives to keep your dentures from slipping out of place.
All-On-Four® Fixed Implant Denture offers a Secure Bite compared to other tooth replacement measures.
The average price of dental implants is economical in the long-run. Dental implants continue to be a superior alternative to missing teeth or traditional bridges with the listed reasons working in their favour:
- Frequently last a lifetime without necessitating replacements
- Proven cost-effective as a one-time investment
- Prevent bone loss and deterioration of the jaw and facial structure, which is otherwise the natural outcome of missing teeth
- Do not compromise the health of adjacent teeth
- Function like regular teeth, thereby maintaining the visual appeal and function
- Enable you to maintain oral hygiene
Dental implants are made from titanium or its alloys and bond well with a strong and healthy jawbone. These artificial teeth have a root-like structure embedded firmly within your jaw, on top of which an abutment and crown is placed.
If you are considering dental implants, it is a highly recommended you seek the help of a dental specialist, like your local oral surgeon, who has extensive experience in the evaluation and treatment of missing teeth or broken teeth. Oral Surgeons are uniquely experienced and trained in placing dental implants, and are a valuable team member along with your family dentist to and enable you to smile with confidence.
About the Author
Dr. Chris Tye, MD, DDS is a Board Certified Oral Surgeon in Colleyville, TX serving Grapevine, TX and the surrounding areas.
