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Single Dental Implants

No tooth replacement option allows you to go about your day-to-day life with ease quite like dental implants. Functioning as a normal tooth does thanks to an artificial ‘root’, or anchor, implants don’t just mean eating any food you want– they also mean a natural appearance and preserved jawbone health.

What Are They?

What is a Dental Implant?

Dental implants are small titanium posts that replace missing teeth within the jawbone. An implant functions as not just a cosmetic replacement for the missing tooth, but a structural replacement for the missing root – thus preventing jawbone deterioration and keeping your face’s structure intact. You’ll have a solid foundation for attaching an artificial tooth, as your jawbone will bond with the implant anchor. After the anchor is placed, a small post protruding through your gum will be affixed to the anchor, after which a replacement tooth will be attached.

SURGICAL PROCEDURE

The Dental Implant Placement Procedure

Two procedures are involved in a standard implant placement:

1. Implant Placement
During the first procedure, a small titanium implant is precisely placed into the jawbone where the missing tooth once was. This implant serves as an artificial tooth root. Over the next several months, the implant will bond with the surrounding bone in a process called osseointegration, creating a strong and stable foundation. You will be advised to follow a soft-food diet for a short period to allow proper healing.

2. Final Restoration

Once the implant has fully integrated with the jawbone, the final phase of treatment begins. A second, minor procedure may be performed to gently uncover the implant and place a small connector post called an abutment. After the gums have healed around the abutment, your dentist will fabricate a custom-made crown to securely attach to the dental implant. This crown is carefully designed to blend seamlessly with your natural teeth in shape, size, and color—restoring both function and aesthetics.

The entire process typically takes several months to complete, allowing the implant to properly heal and integrate. Throughout treatment, most patients are able to continue their normal daily activities with minimal interruption.

SURGICAL ADVANCES

Advances in Surgical Treatment

With recent progress in implant technology, Summit Oral Surgery & Implant Center offers single-stage implants that need no second uncovering procedure. While this option typically requires around six weeks of healing time before attaching your replacement tooth or teeth, sometimes an implant can even be placed on the same day as a tooth extraction.

Placing a dental implant involves collaboration between both an oral surgeon and a restorative dentist. Our doctors will carry out your tooth extraction, any necessary bone grafting, and the implant procedure. Fabrication and placement of the artificial tooth, as well as any temporary replacement teeth, will be carried out by your dentist.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUEsTIONS

What Dental Prosthetic Options are Available?
In the case of one missing tooth, a single prosthesis – also known as a crown – is used. In this instance, the artificial tooth is affixed to one implant. However, in the case of multiple missing teeth a partial prosthesis (or fixed bridge) may be used, requiring only two or three implants. For the replacement of a full set of teeth, the number of implants used to attach your fixed bridge will vary depending on different factors. You have two main options: a removable prosthesis (an overdenture using ball-in-socket attachments or a bar) or a fixed prosthesis which can only be removed or adjusted by your dentist.

At Summit Oral Surgery and Implant Center, we provide surgical procedures in our state-of-the-art in-house operating suite. For those who have unique medical requirements, such as certain anesthetic accommodations or extensive bone grafting, an inpatient hospital treatment may be necessary.

Why Choose Dental Implants?
No tooth replacement solution offers the same long-term results, restored functionality, and peace of mind as implants. Whether you’ve lived with missing teeth for years or have only recently lost them, it can be a challenging and painful experience.

Implants can restore your confidence and provide renewed oral health.

While dental implants are a modern development, their history traces back nearly four decades prior to the innovations of Dr. Per-Ingvar Branemark. His revolutionary efforts laid the groundwork for countless people dealing with the embarrassment and daily difficulties of missing one or more teeth.

What are the Benefits of Implants Over Traditional Restoration Methods?
Both bridges and dentures have their limits. In the case of dental bridges, jawbone deterioration is still a risk and damage to the surrounding teeth may occur. Dentures and partials create inconveniences and embarrassments, as well cause discomfort for the wearer.
Who is a Candidate for Dental Implants?
An extensive oral examination, as well as review of your dental history, is necessary to determine candidacy for implants. If implants may not initially work for you, however, methods such as bone grafting may be able to create a strong foundation for implant procedures.
What Anesthesia Is Used In a Dental Implant Procedure?
Most implant procedures are done in-office with the use of local anesthesia, either with or without additional general anesthesia depending on the individual case.
How are Implants Cared For?
Implants last many years with proper care. As with natural teeth, good oral hygiene practices like brushing, flossing, and regular dentist appointments will ensure that your implants are in top shape.

To learn more about how dental implants can benefit you, contact us.

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