Dental Implants in Philadelphia

Laudenbach Periodontics & Dental Implants specializes in dental implants for complete, lasting replacement of missing teeth. Dental implants are the only permanent, fixed solution for individuals who have lost one or more teeth due to injury, decay, gum disease, or genetic anomalies. Dental implants have an impressive success rate of 97% with very few complications.

Advantages of Dental Implants

Dental implants offer several advantages over other tooth replacement options, including their longevity. Other advantages include:

• Dental implants provide a natural look and feel.
• You can eat any food you enjoy.
• Dental implants preserve bone density by stimulating the jawbone.
• Your facial contours are maintained, avoiding the sunken, aged appearance common with traditional dentures and bridges.
• There is no worry about slipping or shifting dentures.
• Dental implants are easy to care for; you brush and floss them like natural teeth.
• With a fixed implant design, there is nothing to remove at night.
• Dental implants can last 30 years or longer. For many patients, they last a lifetime.

What is a Dental Implant?

A dental implant is a replacement tooth that restores both the root and crown (the visible portion) of a missing tooth. A dental implant has three distinct sections, each crucial to lasting placement, stability, safety, and oral health.

Implant Fixture

This is a small, screw-like post made of biocompatible materials such as titanium or zirconia. The implant fixture is surgically placed into the jawbone, where it acts as an artificial tooth root.

Abutment

Once the implant fixture has fused with the jawbone through a process called osseointegration (which usually takes a few months), an abutment is attached to the top of the implant. The abutment serves as a connector between the implant fixture and the final restoration.

Restoration

The restoration is the visible part of the dental implant that resembles a natural tooth. It can be a crown for a single missing tooth, a bridge to replace multiple adjacent teeth, or even a denture to replace an entire teeth arch. The restoration is custom-made to match the shape, size, and color of the patient’s natural teeth, ensuring a seamless appearance.

Dental Implant Process

The first step in the implant process is evaluating the patient’s oral health. We take X-rays and 3D images and perform a thorough oral exam to determine if you are a suitable candidate for dental implants.

On the day of surgery, the implant fixture is placed into the jawbone by an experienced surgeon to ensure precise orientation. After this step, a healing period is needed for osseointegration to occur. This usually takes 3-6 months. In many situations, a temporary restoration is worn so that you do not have to go without teeth.

When osseointegration is complete, the abutment is attached to the fixture. While the gums heal around the abutments, your permanent restorations are created by your dentist or a dental prosthetic specialist. After the gums have healed around the abutment, the final restoration (crown, bridge, or denture) is securely attached to the abutment, completing the dental implant process.

Innovations in Dental Implant Placement

Using the latest advancements in dental implant technology, Dr. Laudenbach, Dr. Slauch, and Dr. Bhavsar can now place single-stage implants. These implants do not require a second procedure to uncover them but need several weeks for healing before permanent artificial teeth are attached. In some situations, a dental implant can be placed immediately after a diseased or damaged tooth is extracted to reduce the number of surgical procedures.

Are You a Candidate for Dental Implants?

If you are in good health and have one or more missing teeth, you may be a candidate for dental implants. At your initial consultation, one of our specialists will evaluate your overall health, perform an oral exam, and take x-rays and digital images to determine whether implants are right for you. In some situations, if a patient does not have sufficient jawbone to support the implant fixtures, bone grafting may be required before the implants are placed.

If you have uncontrolled diabetes, some forms of cancer, immune disease, or a bleeding disorder, implants may not be suitable.

Dental Implant Options

A wide range of dental implant options are available depending on how many teeth are missing, your overall health, and your aesthetic and functional goals. A consultation with one of our surgeons is the first step toward discovering what kind of dental implant is right for you.

Dental Implant Crowns and Bridges (Fixed option)

The most common form of tooth replacement with dental implants are crowns and bridges. This type of tooth replacement is fixed in place and does not require removal at night. Instead of cutting down the adjacent natural teeth to provide support for a tooth-supported bridge, a dental implant is placed in the missing tooth space so that the natural teeth are left unharmed. A single tooth can be replaced with a single dental implant, whereas multiple missing teeth are replaced by several implants.

In situations where all of the teeth require replacement, a larger “implant-supported” bridge can replace all of the teeth in a single arch. This type of tooth replacement typically requires at least 6 dental implants to ensure adequate support and longevity.

Although dental implant-supported crowns and bridges are typically more expensive compared to other treatment options, the investment is worthwhile because of the enhanced support, function, and confidence that patients experience.

Dental Implant Dentures (Removable option)

Another option for patients who are missing many teeth is a removable denture that is stabilized or retained by dental implants. In this situation, the denture “clicks” into place on several attachments. As more dental implants are placed, the stability of the denture improves, assuring better function and comfort for the patient. This type of dental implant restoration is a good option for patients who are currently struggling to wear a removable denture. Dental implants can help to reduce the movement of the denture, help patients preserve the jawbone, and avoid the use of unhealthy denture adhesive.

Although this type of tooth replacement is more affordable, the denture is a removable appliance and should be taken out of the mouth each night to ensure proper hygiene and oral health.

Patients interested in replacing missing teeth with dental implants can contact our office at Philadelphia Office Phone Number 215-985-4337 or use our online appointment request form to arrange a consultation.