Dental Implants

Dental implants are a designed to be a permanent replacement of your natural teeth. Implants are a titanium post that is engineered to replicate the natural formation of the tooth root. Implants are placed in the jaw bone and allowed to heal. During healing, bone grows around the groves of the implant referred to as osseointegration.

This healing time varies with each placement, ranging from 6 week to 6 months. Advancements in technology have made it possible to where many times teeth can be placed onto the implant immediately after the surgery and other times the implants are left alone to heal. This is called a two stage implant placement vs. one stage. The implant can be fragile when first placed; to increase the success rate of the implant it is sometimes necessary that the implants are left to heal before placing the final restoration. Dr. Deborha Staten will discuss this with you and answer any questions you may have.

Replacing a Single Tooth:

Sometimes a single tooth might be missing do to genetics; other times the tooth loss may be due to trauma or dental decay. Using a dental implant to replace the missing tooth is a nice alternative rather than placing a bridge. Bridges require reduction of adjacent teeth that can be eliminated when placing a dental implant.

Reduction of adjacent teeth reduces the strength of the tooth and may lead to future fracturing or the need for a root canal. Bridges also require a higher level of oral hygiene. If the extra effort of hygiene is not taken, the bridge may acquire tooth decay often resulting in further tooth loss.

Dental implants do not decay! Long term scientific data has proven that using dental implants results in least chance of future tooth loss. If a dentist does not offer a dental implant to replace a single missing tooth, it would be a great idea to get a second option before you accept treatment and possibly head down the path of further tooth loss.

Replacing Multiple Teeth:

Many people have chosen to wear a removable partial denture to replace multiple missing teeth. Most of the time dental implants can be placed and eliminate the need to placing your teeth in a glass while you sleep. If enough healthy bone is present, many times dental implants can be placed and restored giving you back teeth that stay in your mouth.

Dental implants won’t slip, click, or move around while you eat. With dental implants the need for metal clasps around other teeth is also eliminated. Because implants are placed directly into the jaw bone along the gum line, they help to preserve the bone and prevent further bone loss in the area. Implants also feel like natural teeth and there is no need to take them out. Our goal for you is that your dental implants last you a lifetime and feel just like your own natural teeth.

Full Mouth Restoration:

People have been wearing dentures for centuries and most will agree that they are nothing like natural teeth. When dentures are used to replace natural teeth, the functioning power to chew food is greatly reduced.

: Before

: After

Dentures serve to replace the esthetics of teeth; however the chewing power is nothing like it used to be. Most people have to use adhesives to get the dentures to stay in place and this can make eating your favorite foods a significant challenge. When using dental implants to secure the denture or fixed bridge, the chewing function can be greatly increased, getting you back to enjoying your favorite foods again. Dr. Deborha Staten will provide you with a comprehensive oral examination and gather the necessary data to create a treatment plan that is right for you.

Dr. Staten takes pride to explain your options and ensuring that you completely understand all procedures prior to your treatment. Your dental health and comfort is our highest priority and we will be here for you every step of the way. Dr. Staten will educate you so you fully understand the benefits of your dental implants. Your full mouth restoration will have you smiling with confidence again and enjoying your life without the worry of your teeth.