Unlike dental bridges, which require the filing down of adjacent teeth, an implant can replace missing teeth without damaging healthy tooth enamel. Your restorative dentist will help you determine the best type of implant for your needs and goals.
Dental Implants Las Vegas are the number one way to replace missing teeth because they restore full chewing power and provide a stable anchor for crowns. However, some may still need to qualify for this restorative dentistry procedure.
Dental implants are a great option for replacing missing teeth; they look and feel like your natural teeth. They are also great for those looking for a permanent tooth replacement solution. If you are considering dental implants to replace one or more of your missing teeth, it is important to understand what they will be like to live with on a day-to-day basis to make the best decision for your situation.
Unlike other tooth replacement options, dental implants include the entire structure of a tooth, including the root and the crown. They are extremely durable and can last a lifetime with proper care. Additionally, dental implants are not susceptible to damage or deterioration due to excessive chewing and biting.
Because they are anchored in your jawbone, dental implants are more secure than other replacement teeth. Dental implants can restore your full chewing function and provide the same stimulation that natural tooth roots do, which helps maintain bone mass. This is why dental implants are the preferred tooth replacement option over traditional dentures.
It is common to experience discomfort while adjusting to dental implants, but this usually does not last very long. During this period, it is recommended to eat soft foods, so you do not put too much pressure on the implant area. Additionally, it is important to brush and floss regularly around the area of your implant to prevent infection. Call your dentist immediately if you experience discomfort or feel something is wrong.
When you first get dental implants, you may notice a slight metallic taste in your mouth while eating. The implant is made from metal and firmly anchored into your jawbone. This sensation should fade after a few weeks, and you can eat confidently again.
Taking proper care of your dental implants is important to ensure they remain healthy and in good condition for as long as possible. This includes proper daily brushing and flossing and regular visits to your dentist. It is also important to avoid smoking and any other activities that can negatively impact the success of your dental implants.
The structure of the jaw is crucial for preserving the strength of your teeth and overall oral health. While replacing missing teeth, dental implants fill in gaps and help preserve the bone density of your jaw. This is important because the more bone mass you lose, the more brittle your remaining teeth become and the more likely they will fall out. Dental implants prevent the cycle of bone deterioration that can lead to the loss of more teeth and a collapsed jaw.
The titanium implant posts are surgically inserted into the gap left by the missing tooth, where they bond with the surrounding tissue through a process known as osseointegration. Once the implant has bonded with the jawbone, it will function like a natural tooth. When a restoration (such as a dental crown) is placed on the implant, it will transmit pressure and force to the jawbone, stimulating its growth and fortifying it against resorption.
We will perform a thorough oral examination and take X-rays of your mouth to determine whether you have enough healthy jawbone to support an implant. A bone graft can be performed to build up the area if necessary.
A dental implant is a long-term investment. You must maintain good oral hygiene and visit your dentist for regular checkups. People who smoke or have uncontrolled chronic health conditions may not be able to sustain the implant as well as others, so they’ll need to be evaluated on an individual basis.
The most important factor is your general health, as infection can interfere with healing after surgery. Implants can be successful for many patients if they’re committed to maintaining good oral health and visiting their dentist regularly. Those who don’t follow the recommended maintenance plan could face additional costs or even need to replace their implant restorations. This is an expensive process, not something we want our patients to experience. For this reason, we encourage patients to commit to a maintenance plan that includes brushing twice daily, flossing once a day, and attending routine visits with our dental hygienists.
Dental implants are firmly anchored in the jawbone, unlike dentures, which shift and slip while chewing. Consequently, they allow you to enjoy a wider variety of foods than possible with dentures, such as crunchy vegetables and chewy meats. The implant also will enable you to taste foods, as the roof of your mouth is still intact (unlike dentures, which use a plate to cover it).
During your initial evaluation for dental implants, we will take a detailed dental history and perform a full oral exam. Then, we will determine if you have enough healthy bone in your jaw to support an implant. If not, we may recommend a bone graft to build up the area. This typically requires four to six months to heal before the surgeon can place the implant.
A titanium screw-shaped implant post, equivalent to a tooth root, is surgically placed in your jawbone. Then a metal spacer, called an abutment, is screwed on the top of it. The crown, which looks and functions like a natural tooth, is then affixed to the abutment.
Dental implants are the most natural-looking and performing replacement option for those missing one or more teeth. They are the only restorative solution miming a natural tooth from root to crown. As a result, they are nearly indistinguishable from your natural teeth and allow you to smile confidently.
The longevity of your dental implant depends on how well you care for it at home and during regular visits to the dentist. Smoking, for example, can slow down the healing process and can also lead to infection, both of which can threaten your dental implants. Therefore, it is critical to stop smoking and maintain good oral health, which includes a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Because dental implants involve a significant financial investment and a commitment to meticulous at-home care, they aren’t right for everyone. If you have other health problems, they can also aggravate them. So, seeing your family dentist before you decide on this replacement solution is best.
When a tooth is replaced with a dental implant, the bone in that area receives constant stimulation from chewing and biting. This helps keep the jawbone strong and healthy. In contrast, when a tooth is lost, the bone in that area is no longer stimulated and begins to break down and resorb. Over time, the jawbone in the affected area can shrink, which affects your overall oral health and causes other teeth to shift out of place. This can result in crooked or crowded teeth and may cause you to have serious bite problems.
Dental implants are the only tooth replacement option that prevents bone loss in the socket of a missing tooth. Unlike traditional dentures, which can slide or fall out of place, dental implants remain permanently attached to the jawbone. The titanium post, the equivalent of a tooth root, anchors into the jawbone and is topped with a porcelain crown that looks like your natural tooth. In addition, the metal spacer on top of the implant is designed to hold the crown and prevent it from slipping or shifting out of position.
However, the success of a dental implant depends on the amount of healthy bone in the affected site. Before recommending an implant, your dentist will perform special tests to determine the amount of bone present. A bone graft may be needed first if the bone is too thin or weak. The surgeon can take bone from a stronger portion of the jaw, the hip, or the chin to add to the implant site.
The implant is placed during a minor surgical procedure that involves local anesthesia. The site will heal for two to six months, and a temporary denture can be used for aesthetic reasons.
Finding a qualified oral surgeon is important if you want to replace one or more of your teeth with dental implants. In addition to ensuring that you are in good general health, your oral surgeon will consider several factors, including how much bone loss has occurred and where the bone has lost density and volume in the jaw.
