Dental Implant If you are missing at least one tooth and want to get replacements, it is likely that you want to get some that look like teeth and will not stand out as being artificial. No one wants to deal with teeth that are shifting, sliding around, or falling out. Dental implants may be the perfect option for you. If you are considering dental implants, our team at Robert F. Walker Jr. DDS is here to help. What are Dental Implants?Dental implants are simply metal fixtures that are surgically fastened to the jawbone by our dental professionals. This allows artificial teeth to get mounted onto them. The goal of the surgery is to get the metal implants anchored to the bone through a process known as osseointegration so that the metal from the implant will stay in place. This will provide our patients with the stable support they need while eating and speaking. Are There Different Types of Implants?There are two options our team can provide to our patients for dental implants. These include endosteal and subperiosteal. Our dental team can help you decide which of these two choices will be the best for you based on the health, shape, and size of the jawbone when we start. What are Endosteal implants?Endosteal implants include simple titanium cylinders or blades that will be inserted into the jawbone right where the teeth are missing in your mouth. These are the most common type of implants available, and we often work with our patients to choose these for their needs. Once the dental implant is in place, we typically allow between four to six weeks for the osseointegration of the implant before we place the abutment into the implant post. While this may seem like a long time to wait, it ensures that the process is done well. You are still able to talk, drink, and eat normally during this time. What are Subperiosteal Implants?These implants will rest on top of the jawbone but under the tissue of the gum. They will rely on osseointegration to fasten to the jawbone over time. If the shape and the health of your jaw are not good or there is too much bone loss in the jaw, then these types of implants are better. You will have two procedures done for this kind of implant. During the first one, our team can cut into the gumline. This needs to be done close to the area of tooth loss, allowing us to create a mold of the bone. Sutures are then put in place to help protect that incision until we perform the second part of the procedure, where our staff can place the implant. These implants may take longer, but they allow many people who may have had to go without implants to finally get this procedure. Dental Implant PlacementMissing a Tooth?Nothing may be more frustrating than having a missing tooth. Thankfully, modern dentistry provides a way to restore the natural function and appearance of a smile that has been plagued by a missing tooth or teeth. Dental implants give Chandler, AZ patients a reason to smile again! When a tooth is missing, so is the stability of the bone in the jaw. If the missing tooth isn’t replaced, the bone begins to deteriorate. As this loss of bone progresses, facial features are put at risk and general health is compromised. Dental implants are the only tooth-replacement restoration that halts the bone deterioration process by acting as a direct replacement for the tooth root. Dental implants have become an extraordinary tooth replacement solution. They provide a solid foundation of support for new, permanent replacement teeth, increasing the ability to eat, speak, and smile with confidence. With the added health benefits, dental implants are an incomparable alternative to tooth replacement. Your Perfect Solution For Tooth ReplacementMany who have chosen dental implants as their solution to replace a missing tooth have found their experience to be life-changing. Dental implant placement has become a routine process. Here is how an implant is placed: Placing the RootsFirst, a titanium implant is placed in the jawbone by an oral surgeon and left to heal. Adding the RestorationOnce this fusion is complete, an abutment will be placed on the implant, and Dr. Walker will attach a natural-looking crown that becomes the new tooth. Integrating With the JawAs it heals, the implant and jawbone begin to fuse and become one, creating a solid foundation for your replacement tooth. Outstanding OutcomesThe end result is a sturdy tooth that looks as natural as your real tooth. How We Can HelpWhen you are missing teeth, having a dental implant is a great way to naturally restore your smile and make it look as good as new. Our team at Robert F. Walker Jr. DDS are happy to discuss this option and see if it is the right fit for your oral health needs. Contact us today at (602) 782-4856. |
