Dental implants are a long-term solution for tooth loss. They are also used to secure partial or complete dentures as well as support for dental bridges. Their high success rate have allowed for more treatment options than ever before. Even one missing tooth can cause surrounding teeth to drift and support a larger work load. In the past, bridges or partials were some of the only treatment options to replace a single missing tooth. By using an implant, the teeth on either side of the missing tooth no longer have to be altered, like in the case of a bridge. They can also be used in more complex cases replacing multiple or all natural teeth. A removable prosthesis doesn’t function like natural teeth whether the prosthesis contains one fake tooth or a complete complement of teeth (denture). Using implants to support these prostheses allows for better chewing efficiency, a more natural appearance and less chance of it causing embarrassment by falling out of the mouth.

An artificial tooth is surgically anchored into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth in place. Since these implants are held by the jaw bone, they have the same, dependable foundation as natural tooth roots. With permanently placed implants, you will no longer have to experience discomfort in chewing, laughing or speaking.

Dental implants resemble natural teeth and can completely restore your smile and substantially improve your oral health. More advantages of dental implants include:

• Improved speech – With a removable device like dentures, teeth can slip within the mouth and can cause you to slur or mumble your words. A dental implant allows you to speak without the worry that teeth might slip.
• Improved comfort – Dental implants remove the discomfort of removable dentures.
• Improved oral health – Because nearby teeth are not altered to support the implant, more of your own teeth are left intact, improving long-term oral health.
• Durability – With proper oral care, dental implants can last a lifetime.
• Easier eating – Dental implants function like your own teeth, allowing you to eat foods without pain.

There are many factors that will be considered prior to recommending a dental implant, including: adequate bone support, healthy gum tissue, overall health, and sinus and nerve location.

Implants have been around for more than 50 years. They are a great option for replacing teeth or retaining partials or dentures. There are several reasons you may need an implant; a tooth may fail or you may not have been born with a full complement of teeth. Implants are placed within the bone as the foundation for which single crowns, bridges, partials or dentures can be built upon.

At Fede Family & Cosmetic Dentistry we evaluate the bone and other important factors using a 3-D x-ray (CBCT) as well as conducting a clinical exam. This 3-D x-ray is utilized to plan the best location of the implant based on esthetic and functional needs, bone quality and bone quantity while avoiding vital structures. Our clinical evaluation takes certain medical and behavioral issues into consideration to increase the chance of implant success.

There are many misconceptions surrounding implants. You may see commercials promising implant retained teeth in one day. While this can be done, not everyone is a candidate for this type of treatment. In many instances, implants are placed, and a waiting period of 2-6 months is needed before any teeth can be added to the implants. Proper planning can increase the likelihood of immediate teeth but ultimately the bone quantity and bone quality will dictate the best course of treatment. Implants may look like screws, but bone is a living tissue, not a piece of wood, and we must respect that.

We place all our implants using a surgical guide. Surgical guides allow us to determine the best placement of an implant before we place the implant in the mouth. The placement of an implant is critical to maximizing functional and esthetic outcomes. An implant can be placed in any area where there s enough “good” bone. However, if an implant isn’t placed in the correct orientation it can become difficult to attach teeth to.