Dental implants change lives. They are the closest things to natural teeth. Implants will help you live the life that you want. You can eat, smile, laugh, kiss, talk, and enjoy all the activities you like without feeling self-conscious or worrying about your teeth.
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are artificial roots that look like screws. They are placed in the jawbone to hold artificial teeth, the dental crowns. Abutments are placed on top of these implants. They function as connectors between the implants and the crowns.
When performed by an experienced and highly-trained dentist, the dental implant procedure is considerably safe and beneficial.
Different Types of Dental Implants
There are different types of dental implants that can be used to fix different dental problems. The type that is used would depend on the results of the examination of your teeth and mouth as well as your oral and overall health.
LandMark Dentistry Offers 4 Types of Dental Implant Procedures:
- Implant Restoration
An implant restoration is a dental procedure that involves creating artificial teeth to fill gaps or replacing missing ones. This procedure involves implanting roots that would eventually fuse with the mouth’s jawbone. The artificial tooth is then placed over the implanted root.
This restoration procedure aims to fill gaps and replace missing teeth. This can help improve your appearance, self-confidence, and health.
- Implant Crown
An implant crown is an artificial tooth that looks and functions like a normal tooth. Implant crowns are attached to the abutment of dental implants. They function like conventional crowns, but they are held in place by a tiny screw that is placed in the middle of the crown.
- Implant Bridges
Implants bridges are a set of teeth that is implant-supported, meaning these sets are affixed to implants. The dental implants serve as solid anchors for the bridges, which usually match the shape, size, and color of your natural teeth.
Conventionally, bridges are supported by existing teeth. However, traditional bridges need healthy teeth to support them. Bridges are not a treatment option if the anchoring teeth are decayed or unhealthy. The alternative is to anchor the bridge onto dental implants. Usually, the end of a bridge is attached to an individual implant.
- Full Mouth Reconstruction
As the name suggests, a full mouth reconstruction involves replacing all or practically all of the teeth. This procedure aims to improve oral health, function, and aesthetics. This procedure is perfect for people with large gaps, multiple missing teeth, or numerous decayed or worn-out teeth.
Do you need an implant for each missing tooth? Not really! At LandMark Dentistry, we also offer All-on-4 Dental Implants. These are four implants that are placed on top of your mouth and another four on the bottom to serve as anchors.
These implants fuse with the jaw bone and eventually function as part of your natural bone. They can then serve as a foundation for your teeth for a long time.
Benefits of Dental Implants
- Suitable for Adults Regardless of Age
Dental implants are for all adults, and this dental procedure offers numerous benefits. For one thing, implants will make you look and feel great! You will look like you have healthy functional teeth. They are as comfortable as natural teeth.
- Built to Last for a Long Time
Implants are built to last. They do not even need a special type of care. You do not need to remove them like dentures. They blend well with your natural teeth. They can last for decades unlike dentures and bridges that need replacements every 5 to 10 years.
- Gives Back Your Self-Confidence
Live your life with confidence. Dental implants will give you back your beautiful smile. They are secure, so you don’t have to worry about them slipping or falling out when you eat, talk, laugh, or smile. Your speech would sound more natural. You can eat whatever you want.
- Encourage Bone Growth
When you have gaps or empty spaces in your mouth, this leads to jawbone deterioration. Your jawbones become weaker. With dental implants, the bones are stimulated to grow. The procedure also prevents bone loss. Also, the procedure doesn’t need to grind down the adjacent tooth for an anchor.
What to Expect
It is normal to experience discomfort after a dental implant surgery. You can also expect some swelling and bruising of the gums, face, and skin. Pain is also natural after this type of surgery. There could also be some minor bleeding.
In order to heal faster, your dentist may recommend a soft diet. He or she may also suggest using ice packs to relieve swelling or eliminate pain while the surgical area heals.
After your surgery, you will be advised to avoid smoking as this can cause stains. You will also need to take care of your teeth by brushing and flossing daily. You will need to visit your dentist regularly as well.
The Cost of Dental Implants
If you consider the fact that dental implants last longer than other tooth replacement options, the cost of dental implants would then compare favorably. It’s a price that you will need to pay just once.
Dentures and other teeth replacement procedures may be cheaper, but they need to be replaced over and over again. So in the long run, they end up becoming more expensive than dental implants.
A single tooth dental implant can range from $3000 to $4,500 in the United States. So, be careful about dental offices that offer exceptionally low prices for implants. The key is to get your implants from a dentist that you can trust.
If you have any questions about our dental implant procedure, contact LandMark Dentistry or make an appointment today!