Dental Implants
Cornerstone Dental
If you’ve experienced tooth loss, you know that simply speaking, chewing, eating, and smiling can cause feelings of self-consciousness. Thankfully, dental implants can help restore esthetics and function to your smile.
The good news is that bridges and dentures are no longer the only options you have if you have a missing tooth. Today, there are various types of dental implants that can complete your smile. With up to a 98% success rate, dental implants are a great option. Restore your smile with dental implants at Cornerstone Dental in Rochester, NY.
Designed to replace your extracted tooth roots, dental implants can provide a great foundation for a single tooth as well as multiple teeth. In addition, they can help prevent jawbone loss, shifting of teeth, as well as preserving the natural shape of your face while simultaneously rejuvenating your smile.
What are Dental Implants?
A dental implant is not a real tooth, but a prosthetic device used to replace missing teeth. Essentially, it is a small screw developed out of titanium that is placed directly into the jawbone. Implants can be used to help anchor a single tooth (cap or crown), a partial denture, or a full denture, giving the appearance of a natural smile.
Once the implant is incorporated into your bone, an abutment is used to attach these to the implant. Finally, the artificial tooth/teeth are fixed. A single tooth implant is comprised of three parts: the dental implant, the abutment and the artificial tooth.
What are the Benefits?
Most people think that dental implants are only meant to replace missing teeth. However, implants do much more than replace teeth. Implants can help maintain and strengthen jawbone structure, enhance or maintain tooth alignment, and provide for increased oral health. Dental implants can help minimize bone loss, protect against the development of crooked teeth by preventing the neighboring teeth from moving into the gap left behind by a missing tooth, and contribute/encourage you to maintain optimal oral health.
Like natural teeth, implants are anchored to the jawbone rather than resting on the jawbone. This will allow the patient to chew with force.
Lastly, dental implants are a hygienic, long-lasting option that can help to enhance personal appearance and improve your self-confidence.
The different types of dental implants include:
- Single-Tooth Dental Implant
- Fixed Implant Bridge
- Overdenture
- Hybrid Denture
- Full Arch Fixed Implant Bridges
While each dental implant restoration has its own nuances, the main process for all dental implants consists of the following steps:
- Damaged tooth removal
- Jawbone preparation (grafting) and sinus elevation, when needed
- Dental implant placement
- Bone growth and healing
- Abutment placement and artificial tooth placement
- Follow-up visits
Schedule a consultation today for comprehensive dental implant services in Rochester, NY.
Single-Tooth Dental Implant
Acting as long-term treatments for tooth loss, single-tooth dental implants are permanent fixtures rooted in the jawbone. Made of medical-grade titanium, this fixture is strategically placed into your jawbone. After a short 3 to 4-month period of healing, either analog molds or digital scans of your teeth and gums will allow for the fabrication of both the abutment and the crown to be attached to the implant. This crown mimics the appearance of the rest of your teeth. These crowns look and feel natural and only enhance your ability to speak and eat.
The Benefits of Single-Tooth Dental Implants
By focusing on only one tooth, a single-tooth dental implant allows you to leave your other natural teeth to function as they would normally. It will not affect their positioning or health in any way, so you can rest assured that your entire mouth will be healthy after a single-tooth implant.
Fixed Implant Bridge
A fixed dental implant bridge is a great option to replace multiple missing teeth if you do not want to utilize your natural teeth to support the crowns that hold the missing teeth or wear a removable partial denture. A fixed implant bridge utilizes two or more implants to help retain several crowns that are fused together.
The Benefits of Fixed Implant Bridge
Fixed implant bridges will allow your other natural teeth to function as they normally would. In addition, they are much more comfortable and do not move or trap food as readily as a removable partial denture while speaking, smiling, or eating, all of which are common issues among patients who have partial dentures.
Overdenture
An overdenture, also called an implant-retained denture, is a removable dental prosthesis that spans multiple consecutively missing teeth and is retained by two or more dental implants. An overdenture looks just like a standard denture, but the difference is that it is retained and stabilized by implants. These can be made to replace some or all of a patient’s missing teeth.
The Benefits of Overdentures
Most people find overdentures to be more comfortable than standard dentures. Overdentures also look better, don’t irritate your gums, and allow you to better eat the foods you enjoy. Additionally, overdentures fit better than standard dentures. This is because overdentures have a better “hold”. And lastly, overdentures give you increased functionality because they have a firmer grasp than standard dentures. That’s why people with overdentures find it easier to eat, speak, and perform other everyday tasks.
Hybrid Denture
A hybrid denture, also called an implant- supported denture, is a non-removable dental prosthesis that spans an entire arch (top or bottom) replacing all your teeth. A hybrid denture can look like a standard denture, but the difference is that it is entirely supported by implants. It cannot be removed without the help of an implant dentist.
The Benefits of Hybrid Dentures
Because hybrid dentures are screwed in directly to abutments that are screwed into dental implants, they offer better support. While other dentures can become loose or dislodged during normal activities such as talking or eating, hybrid dentures will not.
Full Arch Fixed Implant Bridges
A full arch fixed implant bridge system includes three separate fixed-implant bridges to replace teeth. These teeth are secured using six strategically placed implants. This option is similar to a hybrid denture, except the teeth are not all connected. This allows for better oral hygiene and creates a more ideal solution for maintenance should there ever be a need for a repair or an adjustment (you don’t have to remove all of the teeth, just the one segment).
The Benefits of Full Arch Fixed Implant Bridge
The Full Arch Fixed Implant Bridge offers a multitude of remarkable benefits, making it a transformative solution for individuals with missing teeth or severely damaged dentition. Unlike traditional dentures, this innovative dental treatment provides a permanent, natural-looking restoration that functions and feels like real teeth. With improved stability and durability, patients can enjoy unrestricted eating and speaking, restoring their confidence and quality of life. The fixed implant bridge also promotes jawbone health by stimulating bone growth and preventing deterioration, which is common in cases of tooth loss.
Frequently Asked Questions about Dental Implants at Cornerstone Dental
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The risks of dental implant surgery, although rare, can be the same as with any dental surgery. These can include harm to adjacent teeth, bone, and gums, as well as infection. The treatment approach will depend on the severity and location and may necessitate antibiotics, and in some cases, additional procedures.
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To minimize any complications and ensure the best possible outcome, follow all recommended instructions provided by your dentist. Refrain from smoking and consuming alcohol at least until the initial healing is complete. Refrain from eating in the area of the implant surgery until further instruction is given to you by your dentist.
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Allow your mouth adequate time to heal before resuming your usual diet; typically, you can transition back to normal eating habits approximately a week after receiving your new implants. In the immediate post-surgery period, stick to soft foods such as applesauce and mashed potatoes.
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The actual procedure is relatively painless, as it is conducted under local anesthesia to fully numb the mouth. Following dental implantation, patients may experience mild discomfort once the numbness subsides, with those who have undergone the procedure often noting that this pain is milder than that associated with tooth extraction.
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Complications arising from dental implant surgery may occur shortly after the procedure or years later, with early dental failure defined as occurring within the initial three to four months of the process.
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In numerous instances, dental implants are deemed to be the best option for tooth replacement. However, the success of your dental implant is influenced by factors such as overall health, oral health, age, and lifestyle habits, and it’s advisable to weigh the demands and costs of the procedure before proceeding.
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Yes! And in optimal conditions, it is possible to place a dental implant immediately after a tooth extraction, potentially during the same appointment, provided you are free of gum disease and possess a healthy, dense jawbone.
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Missing teeth for a prolonged period of time can result in bone loss due to lack of stimulation. This can cause adjacent natural teeth to shift and occupy the space. This can alter your smile and negatively impact your appearance and may require additional procedures such as orthodontics and bone grafting prior to implant placement.
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The pros of dental implants: Dental implants look and feel like natural teeth. Additionally, bridges require the cutting down of adjacent teeth and dentures are often uncomfortable. Eating is more comfortable as dental implants act like natural teeth. Dental implants significantly reduce bone loss as the force of chewing stimulates bone. Dental implants are easier to clean and maintain vs conventional bridges and dentures.