Dental implant options
The field of cosmetic dentistry is focused on the improvement of the appearance of the smile through various treatments. Some cosmetic procedures not only improve the look of the smile but restore functionality to the bite, as well. Dental implants make using your teeth easier while giving you the broad, complete smile you desire.
According to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, over three million people in the United States have dental implants currently, and over 500,000 new implant cases are successfully completed each year.
Depending on each patient’s specific needs, dental implant treatments may vary case to case. We offer many different dental implant procedures, all of which are designed to be tailored to your lifestyle.
Each person is different. We want to honor and enhance these distinct qualities by giving you the power to choose when it comes to your oral health. We strive to arm patients with a wealth of knowledge so that you can make the best decision on all cosmetic dentistry treatments. With that in mind, below are some of the most popular dental implant options available today.
Teeth in a Day
Some dental implant methods require numerous appointments to achieve a final product. With the Teeth in a Day system, you can use your newly implanted teeth after just one appointment.
Implants are one of the only dental devices that encourage bone growth, working with the jawbone instead of deteriorating it. Implants become a permanent fixture of the mouth, fusing with the bone and acting as tooth roots. Thanks to the stability offered by dental implants, the jawbone can withstand and support multiple posts.
The Teeth in a Day method stands out from traditional dental implants in that fully-functional artificial teeth are placed on the same day as the surgical procedure. With traditional implants, there are multiple appointments before you are able to use them. In one sitting, the dentist will place the titanium post and attach temporary teeth which can be used immediately on that same day.
After a short waiting period, the custom-made permanent teeth are ready to be placed. Just like that, you can have a beautiful, new smile in a day, and which will last you a lifetime.
To determine if you are a candidate for the Teeth in a Day system, your dentist will conduct a comprehensive dental exam.
All-on-4
Most dental implant systems are designed to be used as one post per tooth. With the All-on-4 system, the patient is guaranteed a full set of upper or lower teeth with just four implants. All-on-4 is a viable alternative to dentures when the patient is missing most or all of the upper or lower teeth.
A full arch of teeth is connected to four strategically placed dental implants. The four posts are surgically inserted into the jawbone. These titanium posts have the ability to completely fuse to living bone and become a permanent fixture of the mouth. Eventually, the implants become a part of the jawbone and serve as a foundation for the new teeth.
All-on-4 implants are best for those who want to restore a full smile with just eight implants — four on the top and four on the bottom. This unique system offers a smile that can be used like natural teeth. An added benefit to dental implants is their resistance to bacterial attack. Unlike your natural teeth, dental implants are not vulnerable to tooth decay.
With proper care, you can have a long-lasting full smile with just four posts. If you are missing the majority of your teeth and want to have a natural-looking permanent smile without the hassle of dentures, consider the All-on-4 method.
Implant-supported dentures
An implant-supported denture is a type of overdenture that is attached to implants in the jawbone. A regular denture relies heavily on the gums and muscles in the mouth to support it. With implant-supported dentures, titanium posts are surgically inserted into the jawbone. These posts support the removable dentures.
These types of dentures are best used when a patient has no teeth in the jaw but has sufficient bone density in the jaw to support implants. Implant-supported dentures are usually made for the lower jaw, as regular dentures tend to be less stable on the bottom row of teeth. However, they can also be made for upper dentures if the patient wishes to have a removable appliance that offers jawbone stability in the long run.
Dental crowns
Think of dental crowns as a sort of cap for your natural tooth. Most often, crowns are used as a replacement for the top of the tooth. Crowns give a more natural look to teeth that are otherwise damaged by tooth decay or trauma. The tooth does not necessarily have to be completely lost in order to benefit from a crown. Even deeply discolored teeth or teeth that have been structurally damaged by repeated dental procedures can benefit from crowns.
One advantage of dental crowns is that they can be replaced. When the top of your tooth is badly damaged or has unsightly amalgam fillings, a crown is the best course of action. Crowns are also an important part of the dental implant. Of the three parts of a dental implant, the crown is the most visible. Crowns are matched to precisely mimic the color and shape of a natural tooth, so most people barely recognize they are even there. Crowns also restore the smile without interrupting the natural feeling of the bite.