Dental Implants

Missing teeth not only create unsightly gaps in your smile—they can also cause pain or discomfort, and can even contribute to long-term dental health problems. Whether you’re embarrassed by a missing tooth, avoiding your favorite foods because they’re difficult to chew, or concerned about the likelihood of other teeth shifting to fill the space, full arch dental implants might be the best solution for you.

What are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are artificial roots that are surgically attached to the jawbone to fill the gaps left by missing teeth. Implants are a smart solution for missing teeth due to injury or periodontal disease, and they make it easy to speak, eat, smile, and sleep without pain or discomfort.

Replacing Missing Teeth

Why is it important to replace missing teeth? Even if you’re not yet noticing any gum or tooth problems, filling a gap in your mouth is essential to your long-term dental health. Even “invisible” gaps at the back of your mouth can create problems as other teeth shift to fill the space.

Many people don’t realize that missing teeth should be replaced as quickly as possible to prevent tooth misalignment, tooth decay, gum disease, and painful chewing. That’s why we offer thorough patient education about dental implants and the kinds of problems they can solve and prevent.

Dental Implant Success Story

Jim Before

Jim and his wife came to our practice as referrals from an existing patient. He was very particular about the results that he wanted to achieve and how he wanted us to help him accomplish them.

Jim After

The outcome of our work together was that we accomplished Jim’s goals while also developing a relationship of trust and friendship.

A Permanent Solution

A dental implant is a long-lasting solution that acts as a durable support for a replacement tooth or bridge. If cared for properly, your dental implant could last for the rest of your life, and prevent dental health problems such as:

• Shifting tooth alignment
• Tooth decay
• Gum disease
• Gum shrinkage
• Bone loss in the jaw
• Difficultly biting or chewing
• TMJ Discomfort
• Slipping bridges or fussy dentures

Implants are one of the most durable and reliable repairs for missing teeth offered by modern dentistry.

FAQs

What’s the advantage of a dental implant over other types of tooth replacements?

Unlike dental  bridges and other tooth replacements, dental implants are permanent, and are installed directly into the jawbone. This means they rely on the jawbone itself to hold the new tooth root in place, unlike other tooth replacements that can put stress on the surrounding teeth. Implants protect the gums and jaw bone from shrinkage, and they’re just as easy to care for as your normal teeth. As a long-lasting, low-maintenance solution, dental implants can save you lots of money—and time in the dentist’s chair—by preventing the need for future dental work.

The gap from my missing tooth is hardly noticeable. Do I really have to replace it?

It’s important to replace missing teeth, whether or not they’re very visible. If a gap is left unfilled, the surrounding teeth will move into the space, creating problems with tooth alignment that can lead to decay, gum disease, difficulty chewing, and even jaw problems. Filling a gap now will save you money, discomfort and frustration down the line.

How long will my dental implants last?

Dental implants are permanent, and require no special care once they have been installed. The artificial tooth attached to the implant may become damaged if it sustains trauma, but the implant itself solidly fuses to the jawbone and will never need to be replaced.