How Dental Implants Work, Jupiter Dentist

How Implants Work

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that is surgically imbedded into the jaw. A crown or bridge is then permanently affixed onto the implant via an abutment. Implants are made of various materials. The implants we use at Southeastern Dental Associates are of the very highest quality. Implants are today's best alternative to replacing your natural teeth. They support crowns or dentures that look like real teeth, and they feel like real teeth because they are anchored securely and permanently With implants, you can eat and chew again without pain or irritation.

Here is a very brief explanation of how implant procedures are done: First, the tooth is removed (if it is not already missing), its natural root is removed, and the area is thoroughly cleaned. Then, using very delicate surgical techniques, an incision is made in the gum tissues and a dental implant is placed into a controlled site in the jawbone.

The second step is to attach an abutment (a small metal post) to the implant. This step completes the foundation on which your new tooth will be placed. Sometimes, the abutment is attached during the implant procedure. Sometimes, it is attached 8-16 weeks later, when the gum has healed and is ready for a permanent crown.

In either case, a temporary crown can be placed over the implant so the patient is never "toothless". Eight to 16 weeks after the initial implant, the gums will be healed and a dentist can create a permanent crown. This schedule may vary, depending on such issues as tooth location, the anatomy of the bone and the presence of infection. The implant process is generally performed in the office and is painless.

Dental implants require the same care as your natural teeth. Brushing and flossing are needed to keep the implant clean and plaque-free. We work closely with our patients to develop a customized care plan. Periodic visits are scheduled to monitor the implant, teeth and gums.

Benefits of Implants

Dental implants are teeth that look and feel just like your own.

With dental implants you can:

Eat whatever you like. Implants can significantly improve your health by giving you the ability
to chew a wider variety of foods.
Smile with confidence. Discolored or missing teeth can ruin your appearance. Implant
supported restorations help increase your self-esteem.
Express yourself clearly or simply be understood. Implants increase the retention and
stability of your teeth.

Improve your external facial structure and decrease the likelihood of continued bone loss.

At Southeastern Dental Associates, the benefits most frequently cited by our dental implant patients are:

That the replacement teeth look, feel and function like natural teeth.
That foods taste better and appetite is improved.
That it feels good to smile again with embarrassment over missing teeth
That they are able to chew with pain or gum irritation
That they can speak more confidently than before the implants
That they have peace of mind because implants are a permanent solution

Another very important benefit can be the reduction or elimination of bone atrophy or shrinkage,
commonly associated with loss of teeth.

Advantages

Traditional dentistry can provide replacements for missing teeth using bridges, removable partials and dentures. However, each of these solutions has its own problems.

Bridgework usually involves altering natural teeth to provide a stable foundation for support of replacement teeth. Partials and dentures can, at times, be very unstable, leading to tooth mobility, denture sores or speech difficulties.

Dental implants don't sacrifice the quality of your adjacent teeth like a bridge does because neighboring teeth are not altered to support the implant. Your own teeth are left untouched, a significant long-term benefit to your oral health. Dental implants are secure and offer freedom from the irksome movement of dentures. They eliminate messy denture pastes and glues….and they can’t be misplaced, since they are permanent and non-removable.

While high-tech in nature, dental implants are actually more tooth-saving than traditional bridgework, since implants do not rely on neighboring teeth for support.

Since dental implants integrate into the structure of your bone, they prevent the bone loss that often accompanies dentures. Another little known problem associated with tooth loss is a process known as "atrophy," a shrinking of the jawbone that can progress relentlessly over the years. Bone atrophy not only affects jaw function, but can cause adverse facial cosmetic changes. Dental implants can reduce or eliminate this atrophy.

Replacing a Single Tooth

Missing just one tooth? One implant and a crown can replace it. A dental implant replaces both the lost natural tooth and its root. A dental implant provides several advantages over other tooth replacement options. In addition to looking and functioning like a natural tooth, a dental implant replaces a single tooth without sacrificing the health of neighboring teeth. The other common treatment for the loss of a single tooth, a tooth-supported fixed bridge, requires that adjacent teeth be ground down to support the cemented bridge.

Because a dental implant will replace your tooth root, the bone is better preserved. With a bridge, some of the bone that previously surrounded the tooth begins to resorb (deteriorate). Dental implants integrate with your jawbone, helping to keep the bone healthy and intact.

In the long term, a single implant can be more aesthetic and easier to keep clean than a bridge. Gums can recede around a bridge, leaving a visible defect when the metal base or collar of the bridge becomes exposed.Resorbed bone beneath the bridge can lead to an unattractive smile. And, the cement holding the bridge in place can wash out, allowing bacteria to decay the teeth that anchor the bridge.

Dental implants do not decay like natural teeth.

Here is a summary of the procedure:

First, the tooth is removed (if it is not already missing), its natural root is removed, and the area is thoroughly cleaned. Then, using very delicate surgical techniques, an incision is made in the gum tissues and a dental implant is placed into a controlled site in the jawbone.
The second step is to attach an abutment (a small metal post) to the implant. This step completes the foundation on which your new tooth will be placed. Sometimes, the abutment is attached during the initial implant procedure. Sometimes, it is attached 8-12 weeks later, when the gum has healed and is ready for a permanent crown.In either case, a temporary crown can be placed over the implant so the patient is never "toothless".
Eight to 12 weeks after the initial implant, the gums will be healed and a dentist can create a permanent crown. This schedule may vary, depending on such issues as tooth location, the anatomy of the bone and the presence of infection. The implant process is generally performed in the office and is painless.