A Permanent Solution To Missing Teeth
If you struggle with eating or speaking due to missing teeth or find yourself frustrated with your current tooth restoration, dental implants may be ideal for you. They’re a permeant and natural-looking solution to restoring your smile. Dental implants have been extensively researched, with original patients reporting ongoing success after more than forty years, which is why Dr. Stern highly recommends them.
Dr. Stern works with reputable implant specialists in the area of Willoughby Hills to restore patients’ smiles to their most natural state following tooth loss. Our colleagues will discuss with you your options and help you determine if titanium or zirconium implants are most suitable for your needs.
Read on to learn more about why our team at Smile Brighter recommends this highly effective restoration option.
What are Dental Implants? Explained by Dr. Stern
Dental implant is a great way to replace a missing tooth. Are you someone in the Willoughby Hills, OH area looking for a dentist to get a missing tooth fixed? Then Dr. Stern at Smile Brighter Willoughby Hills is the dentist you should visit.
What are dental implants?
Dental Implants are surgically graded titanium that is shaped like roots of teeth, and they are surgically placed into the jaw by a dentist or surgeon to replace teeth that have been lost. These are called root-form implants.
How does the procedure work?
If a patient loses a single tooth and wants it replaced, a single root-form implant can be placed. After it’s fused to the jawbone, which takes a few months, a crown to replace the missing tooth can be attached to the implant via a titanium post that is attached to the root-form implant.
When that’s done, the implant visually and functionally is pretty much improved and savable from the actual adjacent natural teeth. They integrate into the jaw very nicely.
How can implants be used for dentures?
Implants can also be used in a situation where somebody has lost all of their natural teeth in the lower or upper jaws and has difficulty wearing a denture. Implants can have attachments on them where the dentures would snap on to the implants.
Advantages of Dental Implants
Dental implants are one of the many restoration options we offer for missing teeth. A dental implant is made up of three parts: the post (titanium or zirconium) which replaces the tooth’s roots, the porcelain crown which serves as the prosthetic tooth, and the abutment which connects the two. There are several advantages to this tooth replacement treatment that make it an appealing option to many patients.
What makes dental implants so unique is that they allow us to address the needs of the jawbone. Without an active root system, bone tissue breaks down over time. This is why many people who have worn conventional, poorly fitting dentures begin to look older than they are. When bone tissue reabsorbs into the body, the facial structure loses support, causing the lips and cheeks to look sunken. Because implants provide consistent stimulation to bone tissue, this supportive structure is preserved, which is why Dr. Stern highly recommends them as a tooth replacement option.
Candidacy for Dental Implants
The way in which dental professionals address missing teeth has evolved greatly in recent decades. Today, many patients choose to replace missing teeth with dental implants, which are cylinders of titanium that are placed directly into the healthy jawbone. Implants can replace solitary teeth, saving the need for bridgework. They can also be used in conjunction with a denture appliance for a more stable fit.
Dental implants may be a good solution for patients with:
- One or more missing teeth
- Broken or decayed teeth that are beyond repair
- Healthy gums
- Uncomfortable dentures
- Fully-developed jaw
While most patients are good candidates for dental implants, Dr. Stern may recommend a supplemental procedure for patients who:
- Grind or clench their teeth
- Have pre-existing conditions such as uncontrolled gum disease, uncontrolled diabetes, cancer, or alcoholism
- Smoke
- Take medications such as steroids or immune system suppressants
In some cases, such as with gum disease or severe tooth decay, Dr. Stern may recommend a supplemental procedure to help you become a better candidate for dental implants.
Dental Implant Process
The dental implant process begins with the insertion of your implants as recommended by your oral surgeon, collaborating with Dr. Stern. After placement, bone tissue fuses around the implant post during a process called osseointegration.
After the structure heals within a few months, you’ll return to our Willoughby Hills office for the placement of a dental crown or denture appliance. You’ll be provided with a temporary restoration while you wait for your permanent custom-made crown to be made.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dental Implants are surgically-graded titanium shaped like the roots of teeth. They’re surgically placed into the jaw by a dentist or surgeon to replace teeth that have been lost. These are also called root-form implants.
If a patient loses a single tooth and wants it replaced, a single root-form implant can be placed. After it’s fused to the jawbone in a process called osseointegration, which takes a few months, a crown to replace the missing tooth can be attached to the implant via a titanium post that is attached to the root-form implant.
When that’s done, you’ll be able to enjoy a restoration that looks and functions like a natural tooth. Implants integrate into the jaw nicely for a comfortable and seamless fit.
When a tooth is lost, standard treatments such as dental bridges and dentures can help address the structure that was lost above the gums.
To replace a single tooth, a dental bridge is fitted to two natural teeth, with an artificial tooth positioned in between. This artificial tooth sits on top of the gums.
Likewise, removable denture appliances are crafted to form to existing gum and bone structure, relying on suction and adhesives for stability.
Dental implants, on the other hand, are prosthetics anchored within the jawbone that replace the structures of the tooth both above and below the gumline. They’re an incredibly stable treatment for tooth loss.
Implants can also be used in a situation where a patient has lost all of their natural teeth in the lower or upper jaws and has difficulty wearing a denture. Implants can have attachments on them where the dentures can snap onto the implants.
Restore Your Smile With Dr. Stern
Living with missing teeth can lead to a host of problems. For patients looking for a permanent solution, Dr. Stern recommends dental implants. They are the only dental restoration that enhances jawbone health and can last a lifetime.
With both traditional and zirconium options, we can help a wide variety of patients. If you’d like to learn more about our dental implants or if you’re ready to schedule an appointment, contact our Willoughby Hills office at (440) 210-0999 and one of our team members will be happy to assist you.