Implant Treatment
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are a way to replace missing teeth. An implant is a titanium post that gets anchored to your jawbone, just like a real tooth root. A crown that has been customized to match your teeth is placed on the post, filling in the gap. You can get dental implants to replace a single tooth, several missing teeth, or even to support dentures. Dental implants make such amazing tooth replacements because they act just like real teeth. You don’t have to take them out before meals or bedtime or worry about them slipping out of place.
Dental Implant Process
The dental implant process requires several steps:- Consultation | You’ll discuss your other treatment options and the specifics of your situation and make a plan that works best for you. At this point, Dr. Leyder will review the entire process of dental implants with you.
- Placement Surgery | After you’ve decided to get dental implants, you’ll get your post or posts placed. Dr. Leyder will anchor them in your jawbone, allowing them to act like natural tooth roots.
- Healing | Once you’ve got your posts, you have to wait for your jawbone to bond with the post, securing it in place. This process can take several months, and it is very important. Without this process, your dental implant will not act like a natural tooth.
- Abutment Placement | When your posts have healed, you’ll be able to get your abutments placed. These will allow the fake tooth to be secured in place. Sometimes you can get these placed at the same time as your posts.
- Implant Restoration/Crown Placement | Finally, we’ll customize your new teeth and get them placed. These crowns will be color-matched to your other teeth and shaped so they perfectly fit your mouth. You’ll feel like a brand-new person!
Types of Implants
- Single tooth implants: Replaces a single tooth with a single implant and a crown.
- Implant-supported bridges: Replaces multiple teeth in a row with an implant bridge.
- Removable implant-supported dentures: A removable appliance that snaps onto implants.
- All-on-X: Permanent dentures placed on anywhere between 2–6 implants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Horizons Dental is happy to answer any questions you have about dental implants. Give our office a call if you want more information! Below are some frequently asked questions about dental implants and their answers.What Are Dental Implants Made Of?
Several different components make up dental implants. The post and abutment—the parts that anchor to your jaw bone and secure the crown in place—are typically titanium. Titanium is biocompatible and strong. We can make you a custom crown out of porcelain. We make our crowns using a CEREC machine. This machine allows us to scan, design, and print your new tooth.
Why Get Dental Implants?
Replacing missing teeth isn’t just an aesthetic choice. It’s also important for your overall health for the following reasons:- Missing teeth can cause bone loss in your jaw, weakening the bone.
- Tooth loss makes it hard to eat, preventing you from getting your needed nutrition.
- Gaps between teeth can allow your remaining teeth to shift and become crooked.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?
Anyone who is missing teeth might be interested in dental implants. We recommend prospective implant patients fit the following criteria:- Have a fully grown jawbone.
- Have enough bone to support an implant or withstand a bone graft first.
- Don’t have health conditions that will impact healing.
- Have healthy gum tissues.
- Are unable or unwilling to wear dentures.
- Are willing and able to commit several months to the process.