If you are missing one or more teeth or have ill-fitting dentures or partial dentures, dental implants may be right for you. Implants can replace single missing teeth, can replace multiple teeth by supporting fixed bridgework, or can support a loose denture by providing a stable attachment.
Dental implants are small titanium posts that are surgically placed within the jawbone. These posts fuse with your own bone, making the implant stable enough to support permanently placed false teeth called dental prosthesis such as crowns, bridges, and over-dentures.
Single Tooth Replacement
Implants can replace single teeth that have been lost due to injury, gum disease, or severe tooth decay. The implants act as a base on which your restorative dentist places a lab-designed crown that looks just like your own teeth. Because implants fuse to jawbone like natural tooth roots, they look and feel like natural teeth. They can be cleaned similarly to natural teeth with brushing and flossing.
Replacing Multiple Teeth
Multiple missing teeth can also be replaced with implants by using them to fabricate bridgework, which is a prosthetic that is a group of fused crowns that are secured to the implants. Implant-supported bridges can replace as few as two teeth or an entire arch, which means you can finally eliminate removable partials and dentures.
Replacing All Your Teeth/ Stabilizing Dentures
For patients who have dentures that do not fit properly and are loose or uncomfortable when chewing or speaking, implants can help to stabilize them as well. Implant-supported over-dentures are made in coordination with implants to secure together similarly to a ball and socket. Although dentures are removable, they ‘click in’ to the implants when worn so that your denture stays in place and allows for better chewing. Having stable dentures also allows you to speak and laugh without worry.
If you have missing teeth or poorly fitting dentures, implants could be the best option for you to have a better smile and greater chewing ability. Through detailed treatment planning, your implant surgeon can help you understand and plan the type of implant procedure that is best for you.
You deserve a beautiful and healthy smile!