Tooth Replacement Options In Philadelphia
Dental Implants Presentation
To provide you with a better understanding of dental implants, we have provided the following multimedia presentation. Many common questions pertaining to dental implants are discussed.
Your teeth affect your whole body. When they’re healthy, you’re healthier too. A missing tooth can affect your bite, speech, and eating choices. As you rely more on your remaining teeth, you increase the chance they will wear out prematurely or be damaged or lost. You may also experience headaches and jaw pain.
Who would want their appearance and health to deteriorate? That’s the natural consequence of missing teeth – the. Generally, people will lose 25% of their supporting jawbone structure within the first year after tooth loss. Dental implants are more easily placed when teeth are first extracted because bone replacement becomes more complex as time passes. The great news? Implants act just like your natural teeth. They safeguard and preserve your bone structure, oral health and appearance. Your dentist and the implant surgeon will provide you with options so that you can make the most informed decision concerning tooth replacement.
Tooth Replacement Options
You can choose several options to replace missing teeth – from temporary to long-lasting solutions.
A good candidate is anyone missing one or more teeth or who is unhappy with their dentures. Age is not a factor. However, smoking, diseases such as diabetes, and radiation therapy to the area, have been shown to lower the success rate of implant placement. X-rays of your jaw will be taken to evaluate whether they will accommodate implants. Detailed x-rays may also be required to determine if other tests or procedures are needed to place implants properly.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are the most comfortable and permanent solution. They form a strong foundation for teeth and keep the jaw healthy and strong. Implants support individual replacement teeth or secure specialized dentures in place. Unlike bridges, no healthy teeth are damaged. Unlike most bridges, implants can last a lifetime. Implant-supported replacement teeth can be attractive, stable, and comfortable for almost any patient.
What Kinds of Dental Implants Are Available at Laudenbach Periodontics & Dental Implants?
Dental implants are available for a single missing tooth, several teeth, or a complete set of teeth. After a thorough examination, including x-rays, our doctors will discuss the appropriate options to help you choose the right solution for your dental problem.
Single Tooth Dental Implant
This is the most common and simplest tooth replacement we perform. When a tooth is missing because of illness or a traumatic injury, the surrounding area is affected by the missing tooth. The adjacent teeth will shift out of alignment over time if the space is left empty. The jawbone will also deteriorate if the socket for the tooth root is empty.
A single-tooth dental implant starts with a titanium post being placed into the jaw socket where a tooth root used to be. Over several weeks, the jawbone will grow around and fuse to the implant, providing a sturdy base for the new tooth. After the implant is in place, a temporary cap will be placed.
When the implant and bone are strong and secure, a permanent crown, or artificial tooth, is attached to the implant with a screw. The look and feel are natural and comfortable. It can take three to six months for the jaw to heal sufficiently for the permanent tooth, but once it is in place, it can last a lifetime.
Multiple Tooth Dental Implants
A multiple-tooth dental implant is similar to a single-tooth implant but replaces more than one tooth. It is especially helpful for individuals who have lost several teeth because it provides a natural look and feel without wearing a bridge or partial plate. Bridges and plates rely on the surrounding teeth for support, so they aren’t the best solution if more than one tooth is missing.
The procedure for a multiple implant is similar to that for a single implant. Instead of an individual replacement tooth, a custom set of attached teeth, similar to a bridge, is made and attached to abutments. These will screw into the implants so they are permanent and stable.
Full Arch Dental Implants
More and more Philadelphia residents are choosing full-arch dental implants to replace entire rows of teeth. This method uses several implants to support a one-piece set of replacement teeth.
After placing four to six implants, you’ll wear temporary dentures during healing. Once the implants fuse with the jawbone, the permanent teeth are attached with metal screws called abutments.
Other Tooth Replacement Options
Fixed Bridge
A fixed bridge is a connected set of replacement teeth. It is cemented into position on top of the teeth adjacent to the empty space for support. The protective outer layer of these teeth is usually removed or ground down before attaching the bridge.
Flipper
A fragile, temporary and inexpensive solution is a removable plastic tooth with a plastic retainer, often called a “flipper”.
Metal Partial
A less fragile option is a removable partial denture cast in metal and plastic. It is held in place by wire clips. A removable partial denture can be removed and reinserted when required by the patient.
Denture
The most common solution, for people missing all teeth in one or both jaws are complete dentures. Some people adapt well to dentures. Others find them uncomfortable, even intolerable, because of differences in jaw size and shape.
Why select dental implants over more traditional types of restorations?
There are several reasons: A dental bridge can sacrifice the structure of surrounding good teeth to bridge the space of the missing tooth/teeth. In addition, removing a denture or a “partial” at night may be inconvenient, not to mention dentures that slip can be uncomfortable and rather embarrassing.
Experience the Life-Changing Benefits of Dental Implants in Philadelphia
Discover the transformative power of dental implants and regain your confident smile. Benefit from advanced implant placement techniques by scheduling a consultation today!