A dental implant is the best option to replace a missing tooth.
Losing a tooth can affect how you eat, speak, and even smile. The good news is that dental implants are a long lasting solution that look and feels like your own teeth.
Dental Implants are designed to replace the root and the crown of a tooth and are anchored deep in the jawbone. This means that you can eat your favorite foods, speak clearly, and smile with confidence without worrying about having to take anything out at night.
Probably the biggest advantage of implants: they're low maintenance, and you can treat them the same as your own teeth. No glue, no soaking, no special maintenance required. With proper home care and professional cleanings, your implants can last for years to come.
Every implant starts with a careful plan. Dr. Gregson will assess your bone, bite, and oral health to ensure that the foundation for your implant is strong. In some cases, a procedure called a bone graft is necessary before the implant is placed.
“I want to thank them for everything they did to restore my dental situation to an absolutely great smile, and great alignment in my jaw.”
– Jim, Patient at Gregson & Associates Dentistry
A dental implant is an artificial replacement for a tooth root, usually made from titanium. The small threaded titanium posts integrate as a permanent part of your jaw. In due time, your new implant will serve as a solid base for esthetic, lifelike restorations.
There are many different implant systems available, and when competently used, they all deliver a highly predictable restorative procedure.
The main aim during the placement of an implant is to achieve immediate close contact with the surrounding bone. Over time further growth of bone onto the implant surface enhances the stability of the implant. To support replacement teeth, dental implants normally have an internal screw thread or post space that allows various components to be fitted. Once fitted, these components provide the foundation for long-term support of crowns, bridges, or dentures.
Typically, a dental crown is supported by one post, a bridge by two or more posts, and a full implant-supported denture by four or more posts. Abutments are then affixed to the tops of the implants to hold your restorations in place securely. The abutments and your dental implants create a lasting solution for tooth loss, and with proper care, can last a lifetime.
Aside from the obvious oral health benefits, implants deliver a wide array of additional advantages. Our dental implants in Metairie, LA offer several advantages:
Dental implants are a permanent non-removable option to replace one or more missing teeth. Teeth that are restored with dental implants feel and function like your natural teeth. The key to a successful dental implant procedure is careful planning and experience.
Implants are the only dental restoration to replace both the root and the crown of the tooth. Dentists may use dental implants to replace a single tooth, multiple teeth, or an entire arch.
This is one of the most important features of dental implants. Once in place and supporting teeth, everyday functional forces (eating, smiling, talking) stimulate the surrounding bone, which responds by becoming stronger and more dense. Like all things, there are limits as to how much an implant can do. For that reason, you may require one or more procedures to prepare your oral cavity for implantation.
Before having dental implants placed, our dentists will follow routine steps to assess your oral, medical and general health. He will carefully examine your oral cavity, including the area of your mouth where the potential implant is to be placed. Further, Dr. Gregson will assess your bite and evaluate any esthetic concerns.
Additionally, we will take digital x-rays with our dental cone beam scanner. The cone beam computed tomography, or CBCT provides a view below the gum line. At this point, we can determine if you require any preparatory procedures to increase the chances of successful treatment.
Sometimes, your dentist will need to perform a procedure before placing the implant. For instance, a bone graft can replace missing bone structure to strengthen the area before placing the implant. Experienced implant dentists have expertise in preparatory procedures to prepare the mouth for a dental implant if needed.
Some common preparatory procedures include:
One or more restorative procedures may be necessary to prepare your oral cavity. On the other hand, some can simply improve the longevity or durability of your results.
Both a bridge and a dental implant are solutions for replacing one or more missing teeth.
A traditional dental bridge provides a replacement tooth by using teeth adjacent to the missing tooth for support. Teeth adjacent to the missing tooth (or teeth) will need to be reduced, which may compromise the healthy teeth.
Since a bridge does not replace the missing root structure, you may still be at risk of bone loss over time. Additionally, keeping a bridge clean requires frequent cleaning to prevent bacteria buildup.
Another option is a dental implant, which serves as an artificial root, anchoring the replacement tooth in place. This also helps protect and preserve the area from tissue loss and recession. An implant can be cared for just like any natural tooth. It also does not require the removal of healthy tooth structure from the neighboring teeth to support it.
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