Millions of Americans suffer from tooth decay that can eventually lead to a tooth extraction. Tooth loss leave an individual in a difficult position as they no longer have a tooth in place for chewing, speaking, and aesthetic purposes. Fortunately, dental implants provide a permanent solution to tooth loss concerns. Dream Dental Implant Center in Salt Lake City provides multiple dental implant options for patients seeking a single tooth replacement to a complete replacement of all their teeth.
What is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is a titanium post that is surgically inserted into the jawbone beneath the gum line. A replacement tooth similar to a crown will be attached to the dental implant, allowing your smile to be completely restored. There are numerous benefits to dental implants including:
- Dental implants are strong and stable and are one of the best solutions for patients missing teeth. A dental implant looks and feels like your natural tooth, allowing patients to continue on with routine brushing and flossing to keep the area healthy. Dentures or bridges were commonly used to treat missing teeth issues, but these dental solutions will lead to bone deterioration. When the bone starts to deteriorate, it causes your face to have a “sunken in” appearance.
- Minimal maintenance. A dental bridge normally lasts five to 10 years. A dental implant is permanent and with the right brushing and flossing, patients will be able to avoid replacement of the tooth every few years. Dental implants normally only require periodic adjustment and will be able to last a lifetime with the right dental care.
- Restore your smile. Dental implants are one of the best options to restore your smile. When a tooth is missing from your smile, it can cause you to become embarrassed about your smile. Many patients will avoid public situations and some even avoid smiling altogether to avoid the embarrassment of a missing tooth. Dentures need to be removed and cleaned, which can be a hassle in public. Teeth restored with dental implants look and feel like your natural teeth. We often find patients with dental implants feel confident in their smile, and it helps to boost their self-esteem.
- Retain your face shape and appearance. When a tooth is extracted, the root is no longer in the jawbone, allowing the body to continue nourishing this area. If the tooth is removed, the area can start to have problems with bone deterioration and leads to problems with your face shape. The bone can deteriorate to the point that your cheeks start to “sink in.” To maintain the natural look of your face, you need to consider dental implants as the implant does stimulate the jawbone to remain strong and healthy.
- Tooth alignment. Failure to have dental implants can lead to problems with the teeth shifting. When there is a missing tooth, other teeth can start to fill in this empty space. When the other teeth shift, it can impact your eating, speaking, and smile. Many patients will struggle with crooked teeth and can find themselves more embarrassed by the missing tooth as it has completely shifted their smile.
- Maintain your teeth, not false teeth. When you have dentures, they need to be removed to be cleaned and normally stay in a cup overnight. Dental implants do not require this maintenance as they are permanently installed in your mouth.
- Maintain your eating habits. Unlike dentures, which can stick to certain foods, dental implants allow you to maintain your regular eating habits. We find our patients are able to continue eating their favorite foods and do not need to adjust their eating habits to fit their teeth. With dental implants, you can eat naturally and enjoy the full taste of the foods you enjoy.
- Avoid cavities. Dental implants come with a serious advantage, they cannot get cavities. Dental implants do need routine maintenance to ensure the gums are healthy. As long as you maintain your teeth with regular brushing and flossing, patients will be able enjoy their dental implants for the duration of their life.
- Dental implants help your other teeth. Using dental implants for problems with missing teeth make it easier to protect your other teeth. A tooth-supported bridge will require grinding away of other teeth to support it. A dental implant does not impact any of the teeth next to them, and does aid in keeping the jawbone healthy. Dental implants help the healthy teeth from shifting into the empty space, keeping a straight smile.
- High success rate. Dental implants have a high rate of success, 98%! Dental implants are more predictable from other repair and restorative procedures, making it the preferred option for most dental practices.
Dental Implant Procedure
Dental implant surgery is typically performed in different stages. The number of visits depends on the amount of work that needs to be performed, and the current state of your oral health. Patients with serious bone loss may require bone grafting prior to the implant process. However, the standard dental implant procedure will go as follows:
- Removal of the damaged tooth (if it has not been extracted).
- The jawbone is prepared for surgery (this will include bone grafting if needed).
- When the jawbone is healthy, the dental implant will be placed into the jawbone. Titanium is the standard option for dental implants, but there are other options based on your health needs.
- The dental implant will need a few weeks or months to heal.
- An abutment will be placed on the dental implant (the abutment can be placed when the implant is placed if the implant is stable).
- When the soft tissue has been able to heal, the final tooth will be placed on the abutment.
Based on your overall health condition and the dental implant needs, it can take a few weeks or months for the entire process to be completely healed.
Types of Dental Implants
Dental implants typically involve a titanium screw, but there are other options available. Dental implant technology has become so advanced that we are able to do just about anything for patients of all ages and oral health situations. Common types of dental implants include the following:
- Endosteal implants. These are the most common dental implants as they are placed directly into the jawbone. The implant is normally a screw, cylinder, or plate.
- Subperiosteal implants. These dental implants can be placed under the gum, but can be above or on the jawbone. This implant is normally recommended for patients with shallow jawbones or those that cannot undergo bone grafting to strengthen the jawbone.
At Dream Dental Implant Center, we provide multiple dental implant procedures. We specialize in single implants, multiple implants, and full arch implants.
Dental Implant Problems
Dental implants are one of the most successful dental procedures; however, like any procedure there can be side-effects. Most patients will not have dental implant problems besides having slight tenderness and discomfort for a few days. The most common dental implant problem is when the dental implant will not “take” to the bone. What this means is the dental implant can simply fall out or the bone just never seems to heal. If you want your dental implant to be successful, you need to select the right dental implant specialist to perform the surgery. At Dream Dental Implant Center, we can answer all your questions related to dental implant pros and cons, costs, and more. Complications could include nerve damage and infections, but this is extremely rare. If you are experiencing tooth implant pain, contact our Salt Lake dental implant office immediately. Our patients always go home with after-surgery instructions to ensure the implant is healthy and to limit pain or problems with healing.
Dental Implant Prices
Offering a ballpark figure for dental implants is challenging as it can change for each patient. A single tooth implant price varies on if you need bone grafting. We can provide dental implant quotes following a consultation in our office where we can examine your jawbone and your teeth. We never charge for procedures that you do not need. Visiting our office is the best way to understand what dental implant prices will pertain to your particular situation.
Pictures of Dental Implants
We want to help restore your smile and confidence. If you are ready to discuss dental implants, contact Dream Dental Implant Center in Salt Lake City today. Here are some of the recent dental implants we have worked on for our patients. Call today to schedule your consultation and get started on the road to a healthier, happier smile!
