Last Wednesday I spoke with a patient who needs to replace a missing tooth and wanted to know all about the use of an implant to do it. After we talked she suggested I add the information to our blog site, so here it is.
A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that is placed into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge. Dental implants are an ideal option for people in decent oral health who have lost a tooth or teeth due to periodontal disease, an injury, or some other reason.
Many people get kind of anxious when they think about something being put into their jawbone. But if you talk to people who have had implants, they will tell you that the whole procedure was simple and was not painful or uncomfortable and they always say they were amazed by how easy it was.
Sometimes things sound scarier than they actually are.
Dental implants allow us to replace missing teeth without the need to use teeth on each side of the space to hold the replacement. This dramatically reduces any trauma to the other teeth -- a good thing, right?
Here's how it works. The first step is for the dentist who will place the actual implant in the jaw to check out the site and make sure all is ready. I like to ask a trusted colleague to do the placement of the implant. I have some favorite periodontists and oral surgeons I have worked with for years and who really know what they are doing. We plan the work together to determine the best position and other factors to ensure the best and most successful placement.
After the implant is in, there is a period of waiting while the implant and the jawbone kind of marry and the implant becomes completely solid to the bone. It is rock solid at that point. During the waiting period a little cover is placed on the implant and if needed, a temporary replacement tooth is placed to eliminate the space if it is in the visible zone.
OK. Once the implant is ready, I take over. It usually takes me two visits to do what is needed to create and place the new tooth and attach it to the implant. Sometimes, if the situation is complex it can take more than two visits. These are comfortable visits.
Here's what dental implants can do.
- Replace one or more teeth without affecting bordering teeth.
- Support a bridge and eliminate the need for a removable partial denture.
- Provide support for a denture, making it more secure and comfortable.
Implants are:
Esthetic. Dental implants look and feel like your own teeth! Since dental implants integrate into the structure of your bone, they prevent the bone loss and gum recession that often accompany bridgework and dentures. No one will know that you have a replacement tooth.
Tooth-saving. Dental implants don't sacrifice the quality of your adjacent teeth because neighboring teeth are not altered to support the implant. More of your own teeth are left untouched, a significant long-term benefit to your oral health!
Reliable. The success rate of dental implants is highly predictable. They are considered an excellent option for tooth replacement. The success rate is 90%-98% in my office.
Dental implants are so natural-looking and feeling, you may forget you ever lost a tooth. You know that your confidence about your teeth affects how you feel about yourself, both personally and professionally. Perhaps you hide your smile because of spaces from missing teeth. Maybe your dentures don't feel secure. Perhaps you have difficulty chewing. If you are missing one or more teeth and would like to smile, speak and eat again with comfort and confidence, there is good news! Dental implants are teeth that can look and feel just like your own!
If you are missing a tooth, or several teeth, or if you are wearing a denture that is loose or troublesome, let us show you how implants can help you. Don’t let anything stop you from having a strong, healthy, attractive, comfortable mouth and smile. We are here to help! Give us a call at 845-297-6206, or send e-mail to DrSteveRoss@aol.com, or visit our web site at DrSteveRoss.com.
We’d love to help you.
