Replacing Missing Teeth With Dental Implants
If you’re missing teeth, you’re not alone. Tooth loss is a far more common problem than you think. In fact, studies show that 178 million people across the United States are missing at least one tooth, and 35 million are completely edentulous (missing all their teeth). Whether you have lost one tooth or multiple teeth to gum disease, tooth decay, or a traumatic injury, Dr. Yeterian and Dr. Marwaha can help. We provide state-of-the-art care and offer the latest solutions to help patients reestablish complete, healthy, and beautiful smiles.
Dental Implants for a Smile That Looks and Feels Completely Natural!
Today, dental implants represent the most advanced system for replacing missing teeth. While conventional fixed bridges and dentures remain effective and satisfying solutions, dental implants come the closest to replicating the look, feel, and function of a natural smile.
With dental implants, you can once again enjoy all your favorite foods and speak and smile with renewed confidence and ease. Because dental implants behave in much the same way as the roots of natural teeth, they provide unrivaled stability for the placement of a broad range of dental prostheses, including crowns and bridges up to a complete set of teeth. For patients who wear full dentures, dental implants provide the added stability and retention necessary to enhance comfort and fit, while preventing embarrassing slippage.
If you are struggling with tooth loss and seeking the best solutions for replacing missing teeth, visit our office to learn more about dental implants and the state-of-the-art services we provide. We take pride in creating beautiful and healthy smiles!
Dental Implant Basics
Dental implants are small, bio-compatible surgical posts that behave in much the same way as the roots of natural teeth. Once placed and integrated with the surrounding bone, dental implants provide unparalleled support for single crowns, bridges, and dentures. As the most advanced method for replacing missing teeth, they offer satisfying, long-lasting, and functional solutions for rebuilding a complete smile.
Consider All the Benefits
Whether you’re missing one tooth, multiple teeth, or all your teeth, you can rebuild a complete and beautiful smile with dental implants! The soaring popularity of dental implants is largely attributed to the numerous benefits they offer compared to other methods of care.
While conventional fixed bridges and dentures provide effective and satisfying solutions for the replacement of missing teeth, dental implants offer several advantages:
- Dental implants come the closest to replicating the look, feel, and function of natural teeth.
- With precise placement, good oral hygiene, and routine care, dental implants can last for many years.
- Dental implants provide continued stimulation to the underlying bone to prevent the bone loss that occurs when teeth are missing while preserving natural facial contours.
- Since implants behave like natural teeth, there is no chance that they will slip or dislodge like removable dentures when speaking or eating.
- Dental implants make it possible to speak with ease and eat and taste all types of food with virtually no restrictions.
- Dental implants do not decay and will not develop cavities.
- Unlike a fixed bridge, dental implants do not require any preparation or crowning of teeth adjacent to the edentulous area.
The Most Versatile Solution for The Replacement of Missing Teeth
Patients can choose from several types of dental implants, including the following.
Single-Tooth Implant
When a single tooth is missing, a dental implant restored with a crown replicates a natural tooth in almost every way. It’s no longer necessary to fabricate a conventional three-unit bridge that involves the preparation and crowning of adjacent teeth. As a self-supporting and fully functional entity, a single tooth implant offers patients an excellent solution for reestablishing a complete and attractive smile.
Implant-Supported Fixed Bridges
As used to replace two or more missing teeth, an implant-supported bridge preserves the integrity of the adjacent natural teeth while providing the ongoing bone stimulation needed to prevent bone shrinkage and maintain facial contours. Unlike a traditional fixed bridge to replace multiple missing teeth, an implant-supported bridge does not require the preparation and crowning of any adjacent natural teeth. Instead, it relies on a select number of strategically placed dental implants to support all the crowns and replacement teeth needed.
Are Dental Implants Right for Me?
If you are wondering if you’re a candidate for dental implants, it’s easy enough to find out. At the office of Drs. Yeterian and Marwaha, we’re not only happy to look at your smile, but we’ll also answer all your questions and explain your best options for dental implants. We treat every smile as unique and develop personalized treatment plans based on your medical and dental histories, current oral health, cosmetic care expectations, lifestyle, and budget.
How Are Dental Implants Placed?
It’s essential to plan and meticulously execute every step in care, from initial treatment planning and the precise placement of dental implants all the way to the design, fabrication, and insertion of the final crowns, bridges, or dentures.
Surgery to place dental implants is typically considered a minor surgical procedure and is performed on an outpatient basis. However, the exact extent of the procedure depends on the type and number of dental implants, as well as whether any additional procedures are required to prepare the supporting bone.
Drs. Yeterian and Marwaha view communication as a vital part of patient care. Before your dental implant procedure, we’ll discuss anesthesia options and provide detailed pre-operative and post-operative care instructions. You can count on our office to keep you well-informed throughout the entire process.
Once a dental implant is placed, it takes a few months to fully integrate with the surrounding bone. While a few implant solutions allow for placing a same-day temporary crown or bridge, others require waiting for complete healing and osseointegration (fusion with the surrounding bone) before placing the permanent prostheses.
Why Might I Need a Bone Graft to Get a Dental Implant?
Dental implants have a demonstrated long-term success rate of well over 95%. However, the long-term stability and success of a dental implant depend upon the presence of sufficient bone at the time of placement. In cases of periodontal disease or following tooth extraction, bone volume is often lost. By placing a bone graft in the extraction site or prior to implant placement, we can establish sufficient bone support for a sturdy and stable dental implant.
Let Us Help You Rebuild a Beautiful Smile
Drs. Yeterian and Marwaha are pleased to offer leading solutions to improve your oral health and give you a smile you can feel confident sharing with the world. We restore your complete smile and provide personalized solutions for all your oral healthcare needs. To learn more about dental implants or schedule an appointment to examine your smile, please call us today at (203) 869-2884 or reach out online.