Dental Implants

Transforming Smiles with Dental Implants

The quest for a complete, confident smile has led to remarkable advancements in modern dentistry, none more transformative than dental implants. Family Dental Group offers a cutting-edge solution that goes beyond traditional tooth replacement options. In this comprehensive exploration, we delve into the world of dental implants – what they are, their benefits, the implantation process, and why Legacy Smiles is your partner in achieving a smile that is both functional and radiant.

Implant Benefits

1. Eliminates the need to “cut down” the neighboring teeth for crowns to make a bridge.
2. Maintains the jawbone structure.
3. Feels and functions like natural teeth.
4. Does not rely on other teeth for support.
5. Replaces partial dentures and may be used to secure loose dentures.
6. Cleaned and flossed similar to a natural tooth.

Single Tooth Implants

It is critically important to replace missing teeth. Eating and chewing with missing teeth can change your bite and lead to discomfort. Missing teeth can cause movement of the adjacent teeth into the space where the missing tooth used to be.

A single tooth implant procedure may be done if a tooth has been extracted or is missing. A titanium implant is placed into the jawbone to replace the tooth root. The dentists at Family Dental Group do not perform the surgical procedure to place the implant in the jaw bone, instead an oral surgeon or a periodontist performs this part of the treatment to replace a missing tooth

The bone of the jaw heals and grows around the implant allowing the implant to become integrated. When this process is complete the treatment starts for placing a crown to replace the missing tooth.

After the bone around the implant has healed, an abutment is screwed into the implant to allow for a crown to be fitted on top. Finally, a custom fabricated crown is placed over the abutment to function like a real tooth. To learn about the process for replacing teeth with implants, give the dentists at Family Dental Group a call at (406) 541-2886 to schedule an appointment.

Multiple Tooth Implants

Multiple implants may be placed to replace more than one missing tooth. Multiple implants can also be placed to hold a full denture more securely. This can be life changing for someone who has been dealing with loose dentures that make eating and speaking difficult.

Implant Supported Dentures

This implant technique is the optimal solution for those who have lost or are about to lose all of their upper and/or lower teeth. It’s a procedure that comes closest to having a new set of permanent teeth.

These are the implant systems restored by the dentists at Family Dental Group:

• Nobel Biocare – Dental Implants
• Straumann Dental Implants
• Neoss – Dental Implants

What is a Dental Implant?

Implants are a tooth replacement option that involves placing a new “root” into the bone of your jaw. Once this titanium “root” has integrated with your bone it can be used to support a crown, bridge, or denture. These implants can also be used to replace partials and other forms of dentures. The success rate for dental implants is extremely high, which is due in part to the fact that root-form implants are made of a biocompatible material, titanium. Because titanium is accepted so well by the human body, it is also used for orthopedic implants, such as hip and knee replacements. Dental implants have now become the standard for replacing missing teeth because they look and feel like your natural teeth. Implants have a higher success rate than some other forms of tooth replacement. The initial cost is generally higher for an implant over other forms of tooth replacement, but the long-term benefits outweigh the difference in additional cost. An investment in implant dentistry is an investment in overall health, appearance, and wellbeing. A dental implant preserves the integrity of the jaw bone as well as replacing missing teeth.

Am I a candidate for dental implant treatment?

If you are missing one or more teeth and in general good health, you are a candidate for dental implant treatment. There are a few qualifying factors that need to be addressed:

1. Quality and quantity of available bone for implant placement.
2. Uncontrollable diabetes or other medical conditions.

Overall, there are very few conditions that would keep someone from having implant treatment. Even people who have lost a significant amount of bone can qualify for dental implant treatment; although, additional procedures to add bone or to create new bone may be necessary. Advances in this type of treatment have made it possible for most people who would not previously have been considered candidates to have successful implant treatment.

Can a dental implant work with existing dentures?

Every patient’s situation is unique, but generally, if an existing denture is acceptable (teeth are not worn and occlusion is good), it can be altered to accommodate the necessary denture attachments to fit the implants.

What is the difference between a traditional crown and bridge and an implant supported crown and bridge?

There are several differences.

1. A dental implant preserves jaw bone.
2. We do not have to remove tooth structure of neighboring health teeth to prepare them for crowns to hold a bridge.
3. Implants can last longer than traditional crowns or a bridge.
4. Although dental implants have become the standard of care, they are more expensive than other tooth replacement methods. The dentists at Family Dental Group can discuss all treatment options for replacing a tooth/teeth, and they can explain the pros and cons of each treatment. Our patients can then choose the treatment that is best for them..

When should a tooth be extracted and replaced with a Dental Implant

Remember the dentists at Family Dental Group do not perform the surgery to place the implant in the jaw bone.

There are times when it makes sense to extract a tooth and replace it with a dental implant.

1. If a natural tooth is not restorable.
2. If a patient has severe periodontal disease (gum disease) that has eroded the bone that supports teeth. Sometimes in these cases, it is preferable to extract the teeth, eliminate the disease and infection, and replace the teeth with dental implants.
3. When a tooth has had a root canal (nerves have been removed from the tooth), it leaves the tooth brittle and susceptible to fracture. If a tooth with a root canal is fractured or cracked and an extraction is the best option, it and would be an ideal candidate for replacement with dental implant treatment.

How long will it take to complete treatment?

An implant treatment plan may take anywhere from several weeks to several months, depending upon the quality of the bone in which the implants are placed. If an additional procedure is required in order to augment the bone, the total treatment time may be between six to nine months. Some implant candidates may qualify for Immediate Load / Immediate Function procedures, also known as “same day implants.”

How will my teeth look and feel?

A single tooth supported by an implant is like turning back the clock of time. The implant replaces the natural tooth root so the jaw bone and supportive gum tissue is as vibrant as ever. Multiple single implants may support single teeth or an implant supported bridge. Dental implants may also support the base for full arch dentures to attach to which provides the look, feel and function of natural teeth. Dental implant treatment is the only tooth replacement solution that prevents jaw bone resorption.

Is a dental implant procedure painful?

Most implant patients report that the discomfort is far less than they expected and is no more remarkable than having a root canal or having a tooth extracted. Of course, you are anesthetized during the procedure, and although everyone’s pain tolerance is different, most patients are very comfortable simply taking over-the-counter pain medications afterward.

Is my age a factor for dental implant treatment?

Providing your overall health is good, there is really no age restriction. The desire to improve your quality of life is frankly a more important consideration than age. It is not unusual for people with dentures to upgrade to implant supported dentures. It provides a renewed self-confidence in their smile and speech and also provides renewed chewing stability, plus brings back foods into their life that were once off limits.

Is there special care required?

Home care for a dental implant single tooth, crown, or bridge is cleaned like a natural tooth, with regular brushing and flossing. Regularly scheduled hygiene appointments and examination by your dentist are also important. Home care can be a little more complicated for people who are missing all of their teeth and have an implant supported denture. Sometimes, special brushes and floss are recommended. Permanently fixed implant supported replacement teeth are cleaned like all other bridges. The oral surgeon or periodontist who placed the implant(s) may want to see you for a follow up evaluation or even once each year to assess implant health. These visits, combined with proper home care, are essential to the long term success of implant treatment.