Implant Dentistry

Dental Implants: Returning Smiles one patient at a time

 
Returning Smiles protocol provides a customized approach to restoring your smile through implant dentistry in as little as one day.

If you are one of the over two-thirds of American adults suffering from tooth loss, Dental Implants may well be your best solution. Tooth loss can be caused by injury, decay, or gum disease. Regardless of the reason, it is incredibly important for missing teeth to be replaced as soon as possible to improve daily quality of life, oral health and maintain a beautiful smile. Dental implants have become one of the most asked-for tooth replacement options in dentistry today helping countless patients in returning smiles.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are titanium or ceramic posts that when placed into your upper or lower jaw will fuse to the bone and are used to anchor a variety of dental restorations, from a single tooth to an entire new smile. Implants are comprised of three basic parts: the implant post, an abutment, and the restoration.

• Implant posts are small screws made from a biocompatible metal, typically titanium. They are designed to replace a missing tooth’s roots, and are placed directly into the jaw bone. Over time, the bone will bond with the implant, creating the sturdiest possible foundation for a replacement tooth.
• The abutment attaches to the implant post once it is placed. Abutments enable a variety of restorations to then attach to the implant, from permanent crowns to complete dentures.
• The restoration that will complete your implant system will depend on your individual needs. It might be a single crown, a series of multiple teeth in a fixed bridge, or a complete denture. Regardless, it will be designed to integrate perfectly with your natural teeth.

The restoration that will complete your implant system will depend on your individual needs. It might be a single crown, a series of multiple teeth in a fixed bridge, a support for a secure but removable complete denture, or even all the upper and lower teeth designed to be permanently secured to the jaw.

Receiving Dental Implants

At Aesthetic Dentistry Associates, our highly trained dentists are able to perform each aspect of Implant Dentistry, from placing the actual implant to designing and placing custom restorations.

The whole process begins with a consultation with our dental team. We will identify your goals and needs and outline the best treatment plan for you. To determine if implants are the right path, we will need to take a special three dimensional X-ray called a CBCT scan to evaluate your bone structure. Using this information, we can plan your procedure.

Receiving dental implants is quick and comfortable. Once they are placed, a period of time usually a few months, is needed for full healing. During this time, your gums will heal around the implant post, and your jaw bone will fuse to it in a process known as osseointegration. During this period, you will use a temporary restoration while the final one is being prepared. Once healing is complete, you are ready to receive your final restoration.

Am I a Candidate for Implants?

Almost anyone is a candidate for dental implants, providing sufficient bone structure is present. And even if you are not currently suited for implants, oral surgery procedures such as bone grafts can prepare you to receive them.

Another consideration is whether you are healthy enough for surgery. Persons with compromised immune systems or certain disorders may be advised to postpone their procedure, or pursue another recommended form or treatment. The success of your procedure is of paramount concern.

Getting Started

If you would like to learn more about replacing failing or missing teeth with dental implants, we invite you to speak with our experienced dentists, Dr. Umansky. Our team can help you have the healthy, beautiful smile you deserve. Call us at 281-446-4700 today to schedule your consultation to see how we are returning smiles!