Dental Implants: The Permanent Solution for Missing Teeth
At Deerpath Orthodontics and Family Dental, we know the impact missing teeth can have on a patient’s life. It can be difficult to speak and eat properly, and some patients are embarrassed by their smiles. Our dental implants can help restore your smile to its proper function and beauty.
Dr. Emgushova uses the latest in digital treatment planning to create the ideal plan to meet your unique smile needs and help you achieve your smile goals.
What Is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is an artificial tooth root, typically made of titanium, which is surgically implanted into the jawbone. Once the implant has become integrated into the bone, a crown or bridge can be affixed, creating a natural-looking and functioning tooth to replace a missing tooth.
Benefits of Dental Implants
- Dental implants offer a host of benefits, including:
- Natural look and functionality. Dental implants look and function just like natural teeth.
- Stability. Because dental implants are secured directly into the jawbone, they offer the most stable replacement for missing teeth.
- Restored chewing function. Missing teeth can make it difficult to chew properly, which can eliminate certain foods from your diet. Dental implants restore your bite, allowing you to once again enjoy all the foods you love.
- Improved speech. Our teeth play an important role in our speech, and missing teeth can affect the clarity of our speech. Dental implants can restore that clarity.
- Prevent bone loss. When we are missing teeth, the bone in our jaw can start to deteriorate. Dental implants stimulate the jawbone.
- Preserve surrounding teeth. Other restoration options can affect the surrounding teeth, but dental implants don’t require any alteration to adjacent teeth.
- Maintain facial structure. Missing teeth can give our faces a more hollow look, but dental implants restore our facial structure.
What Is the Process for Getting a Dental Implant?
Dental implants are an excellent long-term solution for restoring missing teeth; however, the process is more involved than other restoration options. The team at Deerpath Orthodontics and Family Dental is here to guide you every step of the way.
At the initial appointment, Dr. Emgushova will take a 3D CBCT and do a thorough clinical evaluation. At this visit, a patient will be able to see the bone density of the area and an implant digitally placed in the ideal placement. A treatment plan will be made, and the timing and procedures will then be discussed. If the patient is ready to proceed, we will take a digital scan of the mouth and digitally fuse with the CBCT for a surgical guide fabrication. All pre-operative paperwork and pre- and post-operative instructions will be provided and discussed with the patient.
At the next appointment, the implant will be surgically inserted into the jawbone using a custom-made surgical guide to ensure an optimal positioning of the implant. Some patients may require a bone graft to ensure there is adequate bone structure to support the implant. Once the titanium screw implant has been successfully placed in the bone, a process called osseointegration then takes place. During this process, the jawbone fuses directly to the implant. This provides the stable foundation the artificial tooth can then be placed on. This process typically takes between 3-6 months.
Once the osseointegration is complete and the implant site has fully healed, you’re ready for your prosthetic tooth to be attached. An abutment and replacement tooth are securely affixed to the implant. The crown or bridge replacement will be made to blend in seamlessly with your natural teeth, and your implant will ensure it can function just as your natural teeth do.
Caring for Your Dental Implant
Caring for your dental implant is important to ensure it lasts. All patients are recommended to get an occlusal guard to prevent heavy grinding during nighttime. You can care for your implant exactly as you do your natural teeth. Brush at least twice daily, using a fluoride toothpaste, and use an antibacterial mouthwash to ensure the area stays clean. Floss daily and avoid crunching on hard foods that could damage the implant. We also recommend smokers make a plan to quit, as smoking can weaken jawbone structure. Maintain your regular dental checkups so we can monitor the condition of the implant and your overall oral health.
Dental implants are the most permanent way to restore your smile to its proper function and beauty. Our team at Deerpath Orthodontics and Family Dental is here to help answer your questions and get you started on your smile journey. Call us today to schedule your consultation.