Dental Implants – a Viable Solution for Missing Teeth
When dealing with one or more missing teeth, dental implants are well established alternatives to traditional bridges and dentures. A dental implant replaces the root of a missing tooth with a small titanium screw. Titanium is used because of its ability to fuse with your natural bone. Once fused, the titanium screw will act as a solid support for an artificial tooth that looks like a real tooth. These implant supported teeth mimic the form and function of natural teeth better than any other option we have available in dentistry. Since they are designed to look and function just like natural teeth, dental implants can help to restore the natural contours of your face and can give you a more youthful appearance. Compared with their alternatives, dental implants offer improved function, appearance, speech, comfort, durability, and convenience.
Another benefit of dental implants is that they can help to prevent bone loss in the jaw. When a tooth is lost, the bone in the jaw can begin to deteriorate over time. Dental implants can help to prevent this bone loss by providing the necessary stimulation to the bone tissue, allowing it to remain strong and healthy.
Overall, dental implants are a proven and effective way to replace missing teeth. They are permanent, stable, and can provide many benefits, including improved function and appearance, prevention of bone loss, and increased self-confidence. If you are considering tooth replacement options, talk to your dentist about whether dental implants might be right for you.
Dental implants can also be used to stabilize dentures. Unlike traditional dentures, which can slip and cause discomfort, dental implant supported dentures are securely anchored to the jawbone. This means that you can eat and speak with confidence, knowing that your teeth will stay in place.
3D Guided Surgery
Recent advances in cone beam CT (CBCT) scans have allowed meticulous pre-surgical planning of implant surgeries. A CBCT scan gives the surgeon a 3D model of your jaw. Using 3D modeling software, a virtual surgery allows the surgeon to assess for any anatomical variations, prior to the actual surgery. The virtual dental implant is placed in the ideal location, from both a surgical (location of the bone) and a prosthetic (location of the crown) perspective. The virtual implant location is then applied to the mouth during surgery using a 3D printed surgical guide. Pre-surgical CBCT scans greatly decrease the chance of complications due to misplacement during surgery. At Greenbank Dental, Dr. Taller is trained to use CBCT scans to facilitate guided implant surgery, and is a strong believer that they should be considered in every dental implant case.
Treatment Sequence for Dental Implants
There are three main stages required for dental implants. The initial diagnostic stage involves the collection of radiographs, CBCT images, models and patient information. Next is the surgical phase, where the implant body is placed in the bone, which usually requires only local anesthetic. The final stage is the restorative phase where the prosthetic tooth will be cemented, or when possible, screwed on top of the implant. The process of restoring missing teeth with dental implants provides an aesthetically pleasing and long lasting solution to missing teeth.
At Greenbank Dental, Dr. Adam Taller and Associates are pleased to discuss dental implants with you. Dr. Taller is a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists and a graduate of the Misch International Implant Institute. His continuing education allows him to offer both the surgical and the prosthetic stages of implant placement.
