Oral Implants or Dental implants, as they are commonly called, are designed to provide a foundation for replacement teeth that look, feel and function like natural teeth. The patient regains the ability to eat regular food, and smile with confidence, guaranteed that facial contours are preserved.
Oral Implants
Dental implants are tiny titanium posts placed into the jawbone to replace missing teeth. The bone grows into the biocompatible metallic post to form a strong bond that becomes foundation for artificial replacement teeth. Therefore, dental implants help preserve facial structure by preventing bone deterioration when missing teeth are not properly replaced.
Dental implants provide comfort and confidence to eat, speak, laugh in public, and enjoy life. They have contributed greatly to improved nutrition, healthy lifestyles, and longer life.
Patient Assessment for Dental Implants
It is not everyone that desires to have dental implants qualify for it. However, if you ask us about it, we are willing to evaluate you and to address your concerns.
Dental Implant Procedure
Dental implants are metal anchors for replacement tooth crowns during the replacement of missing teeth. They are placed into the jawbone in the space created by the missing tooth without involving other neighboring teeth with any preparation. This contrasts with bridges where the fixed replacements anchor to neighboring teeth. Small posts attached to the implant protrude through the gums. Artificial replacement teeth hook to these posts for anchor.
The placement of dental implants routinely involves two surgical procedures. Initially, implants are placed within your jawbone. After an intervening three to six months healing period, when the implants bond with the jawbone, patients wear temporary dentures, and are placed on a soft diet currently.
The second procedure follows satisfactory implant bonding to the jawbone. The dentist uncovers the implants to attach the healing collar, take new impressions to fabricate your final replacement crown or bridge. The whole process takes six to eight months. Most patients do not experience any disruption in their daily life.
There are situations when implants are made in a single visit. We are willing to evaluate you for this option too.
For denture wearers, the All-on-Four dental implant technique is considered one of the most effective and reliable methods of eliminating the need for dentures. Patients who have relied upon dentures to replace missing teeth often complain that the dentures are uncomfortable. Many denture wearers go without teeth except in public because a denture is so difficult for them to comply with. The All-on-Four dental implants technique provides a permanent solution to missing teeth which results in a prosthesis which looks, feels and functions more like natural teeth.
Dentures versus Dental Implants
The design of the complete denture involves wearing an acrylic plate which is molded to the exact anatomy which exists when the impression is taken. This plate spans the entire lower arch and covers the entire upper arch, spanning the palate.
Problems which occur for patients utilizing a denture are generally the result of the constantly changing anatomy of an edentulous (without teeth) mouth. Your natural teeth act as anchors for the bone and gum tissue which hold the teeth in place. In the absence of teeth, the jaw bone begins to shrink and recede. With the added pressure of a denture sitting atop the ridge, bone shrinks at a faster rate.
A denture is made to conform exactly to the contours of the ridge, so as the shape of the ridge changes due to bone loss and shrinkage, the denture no longer fits properly.
Some of the most common complaints of denture wearers are:
- Denture slippage/falling out
- Speech difficulties
- Sores, ulcers and pain
- Difficulty or inability to chew
- Loss of self confidence
- Loss of facial volume (sunken face)
- Inability to wear the denture at all
- Reduced sense of taste
Dental Implants and the All-on-Four Dental Implant Technique eliminate these complaints and provide a permanent, natural looking and feeling alternative which restores quality of life. Building Smiles Dental Clinic professionals can replace dentures with implants using a technique that provides for the replacement of an entire arch with just four dental implants.
