Tooth loss is a big concern for many people. It’s not only about the aesthetics of having missing teeth, but also about the functionality of your mouth. When you lose a tooth, it can cause other teeth to shift and eventually lead to more problems. Implants are a great solution for tooth loss. Our team at Steven C. Hewett D.D.S in Champions Gate, FL offers dental implants as part of our comprehensive implant dentistry services.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?
A good candidate must be missing one or more teeth and have good oral hygiene. Candidates must also have enough bone in their jaw to support the implant, as well as healthy gum tissue. If you do not have enough bone in your jaw, you may still be a candidate for implants if you are willing to undergo a bone grafting procedure.
If you think you may be a candidate, we recommend that you schedule an appointment with our office so that we can assess your mouth and determine whether or not implants are right for you.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are titanium posts that are surgically placed into the jawbone in order to support artificial teeth. The titanium fuses with the jawbone over time, providing a strong and stable foundation for the artificial teeth. Once the implant has bonded with the jawbone, a small connector post, called an abutment, is placed on top of the implant. The abutment is then used to support the artificial tooth, called a crown.
Bone Grafting
Dental bone grafting is a surgical procedure that helps to rebuild or regenerate bone in the jaw. This procedure is often recommended for patients who have lost bone due to periodontal disease, tooth loss, or injury. The goal of dental bone grafting is to improve the support of your teeth so that you can keep them healthy for years to come.
During a dental bone grafting procedure, the dentist will take bone from another part of your body or from a donor and place it in the area of your jaw where there has been bone loss. This new bone will then fuse with the existing bone over time, creating a stronger foundation for your teeth.
Why You May Need It
There are several reasons why you may need a dental bone graft. The most common reason is due to periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is an infection of the gums that can occur when plaque and tartar are not removed from teeth on a regular basis. If left untreated, periodontal disease can damage the gums and bones around your teeth, eventually leading to tooth loss.
In some cases, dental trauma can also lead to the need for a dental bone graft. If you have sustained a severe injury to your face, there is a possibility that you may have suffered damage to your jawbone. If you have already lost one or more teeth, you may also need a dental bone graft in order to place implants.
The New Technology
For many people, the thought of getting an implant is a scary one. After all, implants are surgery. But with the advent of new technology, specifically cone-beam imaging and 3D modeling, getting a dental implant is now safer and more accurate than ever before.
What Is Cone-Beam Imaging?
Cone-beam imaging is a type of x-ray that produces three-dimensional (3D) images of your teeth, jawbone, and surrounding structures. This technology has revolutionized the field of implant dentistry. The imaging gives us a clear and complete picture of your mouth so that we can plan your implant surgery with greater accuracy.
In the past, two-dimensional x-rays were used to plan implant surgery, but these images didn’t give dentists an accurate enough view to ensure proper placement of the implant. With cone-beam imaging, we can see exactly where to place the implant in order to avoid damaging adjacent teeth or structures.
How Does 3D Modeling Fit Into All This?
3D modeling is the process of taking the data from a cone-beam scan and creating a three-dimensional model of your mouth. This model can be used to plan implant surgery virtually, which means that we can try out different placement options before ever even picking up a drill. This technique allows for greater precision when placing implants, which leads to a more seamless healing process for you.
What Are the Benefits of Using 3D Modeling for Implants?
There are numerous benefits to using 3D modelling in implant dentistry. Some of these benefits include:
Reduced Surgical Time
Because the dentist knows exactly where to place the implant well in advance, surgery can be completed in a fraction of the time it would take without 3D modelling.
Reduced Surgical Trauma
With 3D modelling, the dentist can avoid damaging delicate structures around the implant site. This leads to less pain and swelling after surgery and a quicker overall recovery time.
Fewer Complications
By being able to plan surgery virtually beforehand, we can anticipate and avoid potential complications before they ever happen.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Implants are a permanent solution to tooth loss that can not only improve the appearance of your smile, but also provide a more secure and comfortable fit than dentures. The implant itself is a small titanium screw that is inserted into the jawbone, where it fuses with the bone over time.
Once the implant has healed, a porcelain crown is attached to the top, creating a natural-looking replacement for the missing tooth. In addition to their aesthetic benefits, the implants also feel more secure than dentures, and they do not require any special care beyond regular brushing and flossing. Consider these advantages:
Improved Speech
Unlike dentures, which can slip and cause difficulty with speech, implants are attached directly to the jawbone, providing a stable foundation for artificial teeth. For many people, implants offer a major improvement in speaking ability.
The implants help to support the lips and cheeks, preventing them from collapsing and causing the “dental lisp” that is often associated with dentures. In addition, implants don’t change the shape of the mouth in the way that dentures can, making it easier to produce clear speech.
Improved Comfort
Most patients report that implants feel very natural and comfortable. They are able to eat all of their favorite foods without any difficulty, and they do not have to worry about their teeth slipping or moving.
Improved Self-Esteem
For adults, missing teeth can make it difficult to eat and speak properly, which can lead to anxiety and social isolation. In addition, missing teeth can cause people to lose confidence in their appearance. For teenagers who are already self-conscious about their looks, implants can help to boost self-esteem by improving the appearance of their smile.
In addition, implants can help to prevent further tooth loss, which is a common concern for teens. By replacing missing teeth with implants, adults and teens alike can enjoy a boost in self-confidence.
Improved Oral Health
Implants offer a number of oral health benefits. First, they can help to preserve the health of your existing teeth. When you lose a tooth, the surrounding teeth can shift out of place and become more susceptible to decay and damage. Implants prevent this by filling in the gaps in your smile.
In addition, implants can help to prevent bone loss in the jaw. When you lose a tooth, the bone around that tooth begins to deteriorate. Implants help to stimulate bone growth and prevent this from happening.
Bio-Compatible
Implants are made of titanium, a material that is very well tolerated by the human body. Titanium is often used in other medical implants, such as hip replacements. The reason for this is that titanium is bio-compatible, meaning that it does not trigger an immune response.
This is crucial because an immune response can lead to inflammation and pain. It can also cause the body to reject the implant, which would mean having to go through the implant process all over again. Fortunately, implants have a very high success rate, and complications are rare.
Get in Touch With Us
Unlike dentures or bridges, which rely on surrounding teeth for support, implants are anchored directly into the jawbone. This makes them much more stable and durable. At our practice, we offer a full range of implant dentistry services, from initial consultation to placement and restoration. If you are missing one or more teeth, contact us at Steven C. Hewett D.D.S in Champions Gate, FL, to learn more about how dental implants can help you regain your smile.
