Losing a tooth to gum disease or an accident can cause more than just an aesthetic gap in your smile. When you lose a natural tooth, your other teeth begin to shift toward the gap. This can cause trouble with regular eating, biting, and even talking. For restorative and cosmetic purposes, the best option after tooth loss is a dental implant. Working with a qualified oral surgeon in Union City can help you determine if implants are right for you.
An implant is a synthetic tooth root in the shape of a post surgically placed into the jawbone. The “root” is usually made of titanium, the same material used in many replacement hips and knees, and a metal well suited to pairing with human bone. A replacement tooth is then fixed to the post. The tooth can be either permanently attached or removable. Legacy Oral Surgery is here to help you rebuild a smile you are proud of.
- Dental implants offer a permanent solution for tooth loss, acting as synthetic tooth roots surgically placed in the jawbone for those seeking restorative and cosmetic dental solutions.
- Candidates for dental implants now include those with previously disqualifying conditions, such as insufficient bone density. Implants can replace a single tooth, multiple teeth with a bridge, or all teeth with a full denture.
- Dental implants help prevent bone deterioration and shifting of remaining teeth, providing a biocompatible and natural-looking solution for normal eating and oral hygiene practices.
- Legacy Oral Surgery offers advanced dental implant treatments including sinus lift augmentation, autogenous bone grafting, multiple teeth replacement, and computer-enhanced planning backed by over 35 years of combined professional experience.
Candidates for Dental Implants
Advancements in diagnostics and bone reconstruction have made it possible for those who have insufficient bone density, certain health conditions, or certain oral health habits to be considered candidates for dental implants. In the past, these factors would have disqualified many patients from treatment.
Implants are versatile. If you are missing only one tooth, one implant plus a replacement tooth may do the trick. If you are missing several teeth in a row, a few strategically placed implants can support a permanent bridge, which is a set of replacement teeth. If you have lost all of your teeth, a full bridge or full denture can be permanently fixed in your mouth with a strategic number of implants.
Candidates who are uncomfortable with other treatment options such as dentures, partial dentures, or bridges are great candidates to try dental implants for a more permanent solution.
Are Dental Implants a Solution for Missing Teeth
Losing a tooth impacts not only your smile but also your overall oral health. If you are seeking a permanent and effective solution for missing teeth, dental implants may be the transformative answer you have been looking for. At Legacy Oral Surgery, we offer comprehensive implant solutions going beyond mere aesthetics and providing a durable, natural-looking remedy for tooth loss.
The Implant Advantage
Dental implants stand out as a remarkable solution due to their ability to closely replicate the structure and function of natural teeth. Composed of biocompatible titanium posts fusing with the jawbone, implants provide a sturdy foundation for replacement teeth. This integration supports stability and stimulates the surrounding bone, preventing the deterioration typically following tooth loss.
Unlike traditional options such as bridges or dentures, dental implants offer a permanent fix. This eliminates the need for removable prosthetics and provides a level of confidence and comfort unmatched by other solutions. Whether you are missing a single tooth, multiple teeth, or seeking to secure a denture, our experienced oral and maxillofacial surgeons tailor implant treatments to address your specific requirements.
Indications for Dental Implants
Dental implants are a versatile option for various scenarios of tooth loss. They are an excellent choice for individuals who have lost a single tooth due to trauma or decay. Additionally, implants can be strategically placed to support bridges for those with multiple missing teeth or to anchor a full set of dentures securely.
If you are looking for a solution restoring your smile and enhancing your oral health, dental implants may be the ideal choice. They offer a long-term investment in your well-being, contributing to improved chewing ability, speech, and overall confidence.
Benefits of Dental Implants
There are many benefits to opting for dental implants as a state-of-the-art tooth replacement solution. Unlike other treatment methods, this is a permanent option aiding in gaining confidence in your smile, helping your bite, and improving your overall health and quality of life.
Where you have experienced tooth loss, the bone may deteriorate in the region from lack of stimulation. This can cause your sinuses to sag, your jawbone to weaken, and your other teeth to shift. A dental implant helps correct these problems by acting as a new placeholder for your natural tooth.
Because dental implants are composed of titanium and embedded into the jawbone, they offer a permanent solution to missing teeth. This treatment is also biocompatible, meaning it is a non-toxic solution unlikely to be rejected by the body. This means implants are long-lasting and natural-looking. The solid material also allows you to eat whatever foods you like, as well as brush, floss, and chew normally.
Dental Implant Treatments at Legacy Oral Surgery
At Legacy Oral Surgery, we offer various state-of-the-art treatments and innovative patient care for dental implant procedures. The following are the treatment options we offer.
Sinus Lift Augmentation
Often, the sinuses will enlarge following the loss of the upper back teeth. This can preclude the placement of dental implants in the upper back areas of the mouth since the sinus is an air-filled space and dental implants need to be surrounded by solid bone. A sinus lift augmentation is a surgical procedure restoring the sinus cavity to its original size and replacing the bone lost as a result of the enlarged sinus. This new bone graft typically takes nine to 12 months to heal before the dental implants can be placed into the grafted bone.
Autogenous Bone Grafting
Occasionally, the ideal areas for dental implants do not have sufficient bone quantity to support the implants. In these cases, it is often necessary to “borrow” bone from another area of your mouth and graft it into the deficient area. Often, the area of choice is the chin or back of the jaw where your wisdom teeth once were.
Multiple Teeth Replacement
If you have lost more than one tooth, your oral surgeon can discuss your options regarding multiple teeth replacement. This can look like a couple of different options, including multiple dental implants, an All-on-4, or a bridge. While dental implants are sturdier than bridges, bridges may provide a more cost-effective alternative to filling the gaps in your mouth.
Implant Site Development
When a tooth needs to be removed due to infection, it is not uncommon to have lost bone around the infected area. In these cases, various types of bone grafting can be done at the same time the tooth is removed to facilitate the placement of a dental implant at a later date.
Computer-Enhanced Treatment Planning
We have special software enabling us to evaluate your dental CT scan in three dimensions for bone quality, bone quantity, and bone location. This enables the best possible placement of your dental implants. It also allows us to work closely and smoothly with your restorative dentist to help achieve an ideal result where your dental implants are concerned.
After Implant Replacement
Once your dental implant restoration is completed, it is crucial to keep the area clean and infection-free. Dental implants can accumulate plaque and tartar just as teeth can. Whether you have just one tooth replaced by an implant or several, a professional cleaning schedule is necessary to keep your implants healthy. The time interval for these professional cleanings is determined by your individual needs.
If your implant does not integrate well or you need another due to improper maintenance, Legacy Oral Surgery can help devise an appropriate plan of action for your specific needs.
Speak With Our Experienced Oral Surgeons
If you would like to transform your teeth and your oral health with the help of dental implants, speak with Legacy Oral Surgery to assess whether dental implants are the best option for you. We see over 7,000 patients per year and offer innovative, effective, and client-oriented care restoring the look and feel of your smile, bite, and oral health.
With over 35 years of combined professional experience, Dr. Nancy Herbst and our team have completed dental implant treatments for patients who experienced an improvement in quality of life. We work to fully customize a treatment plan for each patient while utilizing state-of-the-art technology to deliver the best results. Fill out our contact form or call our Union City office today at (201) 601-9262.
