Permanent and Perfect Teeth
Thorp Dental Center does everything possible to preserve your natural teeth, but some teeth may need to be replaced with implants. These look, feel, and work exactly like your natural teeth and will last just as long with proper dental care. It doesn't matter if you need one, several, or all of your teeth replaced. It only matters that you
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What are Dental Implants?
They are artificial roots and teeth that provide a fixed solution to having removable partials or complete dentures. These provide excellent support and stability for the dental appliances because of the strength and durability.
Dental implants are artificial teeth and roots -usually titanium- that are surgically placed into the lower and upper jaw bone. The teeth are attached to the implants and are very natural looking and often enhance or restore your smile. They can last several years but on occasion, they will have to be re-tightened or replaced due to normal wear.
Reasons for Dental Implants:
- Enhance or restore facial tissues
- Restore a patient's confident smile
- Support a denture or bridge, making them more comfortable and secure
- Replace one or missing teeth without affecting adjacent teeth
- Resolve bite issues or joint pain cause by shifting teeth info missing tooth spaces
- Restore speech, chewing and digestion
What is involved in obtaining dental implants? How long is the procedure?
The process of getting implants requires several visits of many months. Impressions, or molds and x-rays are taken of the teeth and jaw to determine bone, gum tissue and spacing available for an implant. While the area is numb, the implant will be surgically placed into the bone and allowed to integrate itself and heal onto the bone for up to six months. Depending on the type of implant, a second surgery may be required in order to place the post that will hold the artificial tooth in place. With other implants, the anchor and post are already attached and placed at the same time.
After several weeks of healing, the artificial teeth are made and fitted to the post portion of the anchor. Because several fittings may be necessary, this step may take up to two months to complete. After the healing period, the artificial teeth are securely attached to the implant, providing excellent stability and comfort to the patient.
Maintenance:
Good oral hygiene, eating habits and regular dental visits will aid in the life of you new implant. When treatment is completed, you will receive care instructions for you to follow.