Dental implants can restore the appearance and functionality of your smile if you have lost any of your teeth. Around seventy percent of U.S. adults will experience tooth loss at some point in their lifetime. As dental care has improved this number has decreased and more importantly, seniors often only lose a few teeth instead of all of them. This has created a demand for solutions that go beyond what dentures have to offer.
Dentures have been the traditional solution for replacing teeth for several hundred years. They are an effective way for people to be able to eat and speak normally, but they do not feel like natural teeth because they can become loose and have to be taken out at night. Modern dental technology has greatly improved and cosmetic dentistry has made it possible for people to have their teeth restored or replaced in more natural and effective ways.
Dental implants are a permanent solution for replacing missing teeth and look completely natural once in place. Dr. Vanek is a skilled implant dentist and uses the procedure to help adults of all ages improve their smile. A person can have one or all of their teeth replaced with implants and since they look and feel natural, the results are stunning.
The Process
In order to determine if you are a good candidate for implants, Dr. Vanek will examine your existing teeth and gums. If you have any cavities or signs of gum disease this will need to be treated before any cosmetic work is performed. This will reduce your recovery time and keep you in better oral health overall.
Once you are cleared for the procedure a mold will be taken of your mouth and the dental lab will create your new tooth or teeth. They will be made to match your existing teeth in size, shape, and color. If you don’t like the color of your natural teeth, be sure to schedule a teeth whitening procedure before the new ones are made. Since they are made of a ceramic material they are stain resistant which also makes them resistant to whitening.
Dr. Vanek will then implant a metal post underneath the gum line where the new tooth will be placed. This post will be secured to the jawbone and eventually the two elements will fuse together in order to create a durable synthetic root system. It can take a couple of months for the gums to heal and the two items to fuse together. Once completed Dr. Vanek will attach a second metal piece at the surface of the gum line and secure the new tooth to it. This allows him to place the tooth in the perfect position, ensuring it is completely straight and looks beautiful.
Since this is a permanent procedure you will be able to eat all of your favorite foods, speak, and behave normally without fear of your new tooth falling out. This is ideal for people with active lifestyles who don’t want to be constrained by needing to take dentures out every night. To learn more about dental implants, schedule an appointment with Dr. Vanek today.