Losing one or more of your teeth can cause a gap in your smile, the loss of chewing function and the inability to eat a complete diet.
While these are certainly serious issues, a potentially bigger problem lies hidden beneath the surface: bone loss. Without the tooth to stimulate the jaw, the bone beneath it will begin to shrink (atrophy) in the same manner that muscle underneath a cast gets smaller.
Since your facial bone supports the skin and muscles on top of it, losing volume can cause your face to look prematurely aged. The good news is that dental implants offer a solution to stop bone loss.
Dental Implants
Missing teeth and loose dentures make many people avoid social settings because they are too self-consciousabout their appearance. Current dental procedures, however, replace everything from a single missing tooth to acompletely missing arch.
Ask Dr. Lorenzana about the different dental options that are available to you. Don’t let another day go by without taking this important first step to restoring your confidence and your smile!
Are missing teeth causing you to miss out?
If you have missing teeth, did you are losing bone
Losing one or more of your teeth can cause a gap in your smile, the loss of chewing function and the inability to eat a complete diet.
While these are certainly serious issues, a potentially bigger problem lies hidden beneath the surface: bone loss. Without the tooth to stimulate the jaw, the bone beneath it will begin to shrink (atrophy) in the same manner that muscle underneath a cast gets smaller.
Since your facial bone supports the skin and muscles on top of it, losing volume can cause your face to look prematurely aged. The good news is that dental implants offer a solution to stop bone loss.
Candidates for dental implants
Dental implants can be placed in most adults who are in good to moderate health. They are not typically placed in adolescents until they have reached their full expected physical maturity. Certain uncontrolled medical conditions may decrease the effectiveness of implant treatment, so be sure to discuss your full medical history with your doctor before beginning treatment.
Every patient is different and patient results may vary. Only a trained clinician can determine the best treatment plan for you. Doctor Lorenzana will explain the benefits and risks to see if tooth replacement with implants is right for you.
Candidates for dental implants
Today’s modern dental implants are precision devices, available in several different designs to address your specific needs.
The most common type is a titanium screw and abutment that is anchored into the jawbone where it serves as a post for a custom-made tooth crown. Once the crown is in place, you may not be able to tell it apart from your natural teeth.
Multiple tooth replacement
Implants can also be used to replace several teeth, eliminating the need to grind down healthy adjacent teeth to serve as posts for traditional crown & bridge therapy.
The implants are placed in the bone below the gum tissue. Like single tooth replacement, temporary abutments may be placed on the implants until the healing phase is complete.
Many social functions involve food and eating. After healing, the final abutments are attached to the implants. They will hold a custom-made bridge that the dental laboratory will mold and match to your existing teeth. In the final step, the custom bridge is cemented onto the abutments. The teeth have been replaced without disturbing the healthy teeth next to them, and bone loss has been halted.
Implant-stabilized denture
If all your lower teeth are missing, another option may be to stabilize your removable denture using a small number of implants. This can sometimes be a more cost effective solution.
The implants are placed similarly to the implant-supported prosthesis. Dental implants can provide stability to your existing loose denture.
After healing, ball-top posts are attached to the implants. Your old denture may be modified to hold clips that snap over the ball-tops, or a new denture with clips will be made.
The denture is snapped into place, where it is retained by the implants and supported by the soft tissue. You simply snap the denture out each night for cleaning.
Dental Implants
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Tooth replacement options
Conventional treatment options for tooth replacement, crown & bridge and full or partial dentures, address the short-term cosmetic problem of the missing teeth, but do nothing to stop the bone loss.
Crown & bridge also requires that two or more healthy teeth be ground down to serve as abutments (anchors) for a bridge, leaving them at a much greater risk for cavities and endodontic failure.
With implants, however, healthy teeth are not compromised. Plus, dental implants, like natural teeth, transmit chewing forces to the jaw, stimulating it and halting the bone loss. This is why many leading dental organizations recognize dental implants as the standard of care for tooth replacement.
Untreated missing tooth.
Unattractive appearance.
Compromised chewing function.
Rampant bone loss.
Dental implants are the only proven way to prevent bone loss after the loss of natural teeth.
Dental implant history
Even early civilizations recognized the benefit of tooth replacement. Archeologists have recovered ancient skulls where teeth have been replaced by materials such as cast iron and carved seashells.
Modern dental implants made from titanium have been placed extensively since the 1970s. Titanium alloy offers the benefit of being lightweight and strong and is easily accepted by the body (bio-friendly). It is the most widely used metal in orthopedics and dental implants.
Most dental implants are titanium screws that are placed into the jawbone in a relatively pain-free procedure. The implant serves as an anchor for a custom-made tooth crown that will be attached to it. Once the crown is in place, you often cannot distinguish it from your natural teeth.
Single tooth replacement
An implant may be used to replace almost any missing tooth, provided there is adequate bone at the site. If not, procedures can usually be performed that regenerate bone to safely place an implant. . The implant is placed in the bone below the gum tissue.
A temporary abutment may be placed on the implant until the healing phase is complete and a cosmetic temporary crown can often be made to fill the missing space.
70% of the U.S. population is missing at least one tooth. After healing, the final abutment is attached to the implant.
It will hold a custom-made crown that the dental laboratory will mold and match to your existing teeth. In the final step, the custom crown is cemented onto the abutment. The tooth has been replaced without disturbing the healthy teeth next to it and bone loss has been eliminated.
Removable implant-supported prosthesis
If all your upper or lower teeth are missing, multiple implants may be used to support a denture that can be removed by the patient for cleaning.
The implants are placed similarly to the single and multi-tooth situations. Your existing denture can be modified so that it may be worn without disturbing the implants during the healing process.
Many social functions involve food and eating.
Fixed implant-supported prosthesis
If all your upper or lower teeth are missing, a permanent bridge may be attached directly to the implants. The number of implants is determined by the specific requirements of each case.
The implants are placed similarly to the removable implant-supported prosthesis. Dental implants let you eat the foods you love.
You will be fitted for a custom bridge that screws directly into the implants. The screw holes will be covered after insertion. Your new teeth are firmly supported by the implants, stimulating the jaw and halting bone loss. Your dentist will be able to remove the prosthesis when necessary for cleaning and maintenance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I care for my implants? A Home care for your implants consists of brushing and flossing. Regular dental visits are required for long-term health and success.
How long can implants last? An Implants can last many years if cared for properly. Many implants have been in place for more than 40 years.
If an implant fails to Osseo integrate, what happens? The implant is removed and the site is allowed to heal. Another implant can often be placed after healing if there is adequate bone.
Are dental implants covered by insurance? Like most elective procedures, dental implants are not covered by most dental insurance plans. However, your dentist may offer payment plan options. However, we may offer payment plan options.
