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DENTAL IMPANTS IN WINSTON SALEM
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CUSTOM DENTAL IMPLANTS
Dental implants have come a long way over the last 25 years. The dental industry has worked hard to improve the process related to getting dental implants, and now patients can enjoy near permanent, realistic teeth without ever having to worry about having them falling out, needing replaced, or having to fuss with dentures ever again!
WHY CONSIDER DENTAL IMPLANTS?
If you are missing a tooth, or many teeth. Dental implants can help. People who are missing teeth, or who have damaged or decaying teeth are all good candidates for dental implants. Within a few months, or even visits, you can have a complete and beautiful smile to be proud of. In addition to improving the look of your smile, having dental implants placed can reduce the risk of bone loss. When teeth are not present in the mouth, the bone can wear away because it is not needed to secure teeth. This can also cause surrounding teeth to move forward or backward, causing future dental problems. Another reason to consider dental implants is to improve the bite of your teeth and improve the way you eat your food. Finally, missing teeth can impact the way you talk, so having a full set of teeth can prevent speech impediments from developing in the future. As you can see, there are many reasons to consider dental implants.
WHAT THEY'RE MADE OF
Dental implants posts are made from a solid material called titanium. Long ago it was discovered that titanium is the only metal in the world that will graft with the human bone to create a strong, lasting bond.
The dental implants used today consist of three major parts:
- The titanium fixture that is placed in the jawbone
- The implant abutment that is used to secure the tooth
- And the ceramic crown that is attached to the abutment - this is the part everyone will see
DENTAL IMPLANT BENEFITS
The benefits of getting dental implants, or even just one dental implant, are plentiful. One of the most beneficial aspects of dental implants is that they preserve the integrity of the bone after a tooth has been lost. Missing teeth can cause a whole host of problems, so filling those gaps as soon as possible prevents significant issues from developing over time. Other benefits include upgrading your dentures: if you have removable dentures, you can get dental implants to secure your dentures to your gums. Other benefits including getting the look and feel of a full set of teeth, and not to mention the total function of your mouth. Dental implants improve your appearance as well: when teeth are missing, the shape of the face and jaw can change. Overall, most people seek dental implants simply to improve their quality of life and to again be proud of their smile. Replacing even one tooth can have considerable impact on your quality of life, and that's worth the effort involved in getting dental implants.
THE DENTAL IMPLANT PROCESS
There are several stages associated with placing dental implants in a patient's mouth. The first stage is planning. This stage involves determining whether or not a patient is eligible for the procedure: there needs to be enough bone in the jaw to support the placement of the dental implant.
When it is decided to move forward, patients undergo a procedure to place the titanium rod so that it can begin to graft to the bone. After a few weeks, the healing will be complete. In the meantime, your dentist may provide you with a temporary tooth to hide the implant as it heals and to give you that better-looking smile you’ve been waiting for.
When the implant has grafted and healed, patients will have the abutment placed on the titanium rod. This will house the crown. The crown will be set using dental cement or a dental screw.
Implant technology has changed so much over the years that patients will experience virtually no pain. Even with healing time, dental implants can be completed in a relatively short period, and patients can walk away looking and feeling better with full use of their teeth.
BRIDGES VS DENTAL IMPLANTS
When patients and dentists are considering treatment options for missing teeth, the two most common choices are bridges and implants.
Implants are far superior to bridges for several reasons:
- Implants are fixed
- Healthy teeth don’t need to be reshaped or ground down to accommodate the appliance
- Bridges don’t fix bone loss issues
- Bridges expose teeth to unwanted bacteria over time and bacteria can get lodged between teeth and appliances
- Flossing is challenging when patients have bridges that span more than three teeth
CONTACT LEAL, SPANGLER & JOHNSON
Drs. Leal, Spangler, and Johnson in Winston-Salem, NC provide the highest quality dental care with a personal touch, thoughtfully considering each patient and their needs. We offer comprehensive family and esthetic dentistry and love helping people achieve a healthy smile.
We are accepting new patients.
DENTAL IMPLANTS ARE RIGHT FOR YOU.
There is no age limit on how old a patient can be to receive dental implants, as long as there is sufficient bone structure to support the placement of the titanium rods. However, younger children are not candidates for dental implants. Younger adults who have their adult teeth, but are missing teeth, are candidates for dental implants. Typically men who are over 21 years of age and women who are over 18 or 19 years of age.
For patients who are having teeth extracted, implants can be placed at the same time. That does not mean, however, that people who have had missing teeth for years aren’t good candidates for dental implants; as long as there is enough healthy bone to support the procedure, most people are eligible for dental implants as an option to replace missing teeth.
MORE READING ON DENTAL IMPLANTS
Albrektsson, T., et al. "The long-term efficacy of currently used dental implants: a review and proposed criteria of success." Int j oral maxillofac implants 1.1 (1986): 11-25.
Cox, J. F., and G. A. Zarb. "The longitudinal clinical efficacy of osseointegrated dental implants: a 3-year report." International Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Implants 2.2 (1987).
Porter, Judith A. "Success or failure of dental implants? A literature review with treatment considerations." General dentistry 53.6 (2005): 423-32.
