What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are today's most lifelike replacements for missing teeth. Dental implants combine excellent strength and durability with an attractive appearance. The implant post bonds with the jawbone, creating a solid replacement that feels and looks natural.
Types of Dental Implants
- All On X: This innovative system replaces all upper or lower teeth with custom-fitted dentures that sit on four to six implants. The implants act as supports for the fixed denture. All On X does not require as much bone density as regular single-tooth implants.
- Straumann-Neodent Implants: We use advanced implant materials from a leading manufacturer. They perform better and last longer than comparable single-tooth implants.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Restore Your Chewing Ability
If you have missing teeth, you know how difficult it is to chew. With implants, you can finally stop "chewing around" gaps in your teeth. You will also lose any possible discomfort or sensitivity while chewing.
Eat Anything You Want
With dental implants, you don't have to restrict what you eat. With other forms of tooth restoration, like dentures, you must be careful with chewy, sticky, hard, or crunchy foods.
Preserve Your Jawbone Mass
Missing teeth cause the jawbone to deteriorate around the empty socket. The jawbone relies on the stimulation it receives from chewing to stay healthy. Without jawbone stimulation, bone loss begins. The bone can lose as much as 25% of its mass in the first year after losing a tooth, with more lost in the following years. If you have had a missing tooth for some time, you may need a bone graft to bulk up your jawbone before receiving an implant.
Promote Better Oral Health
Dental implants keep your other teeth from shifting. When teeth move, they may become crossed and crooked. Crooked teeth are much harder to keep clean through brushing and flossing, and your chances of tooth decay and gum disease could increase.
Restore Your Appearance
With all of these health benefits, it is worth remembering that dental implants also have cosmetic benefits. Dental implants are attractive replacement teeth and can contribute to a healthy smile.
Are You a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?
People who are good candidates for dental implants have the following:
- Missing teeth or damaged teeth that need extraction
- No untreated gum disease
- No untreated tooth decay
- Sufficient jawbone mass
If you have gum disease or tooth decay, the dentist will discuss addressing these problems before you receive dental implants. You can receive a dental bone graft if you do not have sufficient jawbone mass.