People who may be self-conscious because they wear dentures that are uncomfortable, have missing teeth or do not want to make a bridge and remove their good tooth structure may want to talk to a dentist from Levan Dental Group to see if dental implants may be an option.
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are a replacement for the root or roots of a tooth and, as such, are secured in the jawbone and once place surgically are not visible. They can secure bridgework, dentures or crowns by various means.
Typically, they are made of titanium, which is lightweight and strong, and is compatible with the human body so that they do not get rejected once placed in the mouth. They are basically posts that are put into the lower or upper jaw and then become an anchor for replacement teeth. At Levan Dental Group, we have a great deal of expertise with this kind of dental surgery enabling dental implants to have the highest success rate of any implanted surgical device.
Options for Implants
There are several types of dental implants. One is a single tooth replacement in which a device is used to join the implant with a tooth form called a crown, which replaces the part of the tooth in the mouth. The crown is custom-made in the dental laboratory to match a person’s existing teeth. The custom crown is cemented or screwed onto the device to permanently keep it in place.
Another is a fixed multiple tooth replacement in which devices are also used on multiple implants but are of a temporary nature until the healing phase is completed. Then, permanent devices are attached to the implants. Again, the crown or bridgework is custom-made in a dental laboratory to match existing teeth. The custom work is then screwed or cemented into the devices and the teeth are then replaced, thereby preventing bone loss, without disturbing the healthy teeth next to them.
The last option is a removable denture in which four implants can be used to support either an upper or lower denture. The attachments for the denture can be snaps, clips or a custom-made, milled bar that can be fabricated to create additional strength and replace extensive bone and gum-tissue loss. The exact design of this type of implant is best discussed with a professional and caring dental implant dentist from our team who has a great deal of experience in this area.