Anyone who has wrestled with deteriorating teeth and tooth loss understands the importance of modern implant-based dentistry. Before, if you had missing teeth, you had two options: partial bridges or, if tooth loss was significant, the dreaded dentures. Thanks to today’s modern implant-based dentistry, you can have teeth that look and feel like your own. No more ill-fitted bridges, you can forget dentures—a new day in dentistry has arrived.
Why Implants
As any dentist will tell you, there’s nothing like your own teeth. If you visit the dentist regularly, you know how they resist extractions, and for good reason; missing teeth affect your bite and the way you look.
The advent of dental implant surgery gave dentists a new way of preserving teeth and their appearance. As a dental tool, modern implant-based dentistry represents a quantum leap forward in helping patients keep their smiles and avoid uncomfortable ill-fitting prostheses.
Benefits
Implants have several advantages:
- Behave like natural teeth
- Last a lifetime
- Keep adjacent teeth stable
- Help prevent gum disease
- Corrects bone loss
- Prevents facial sagging and premature aging
Who is a Candidate
Implants are the modern answer if you have one or more missing teeth or broken and decayed teeth beyond repair.
Implant Versatility
- Full mouth restoration and reconstruction
- Tooth replacement for seniors
- Support bridges, crowns, and dentures
- Cosmetic solution for missing front teeth
Types of Dental Implants
- Two-Stage Dental Implants require surgery to graft bone if needed and place a post into the gum. Crowns are placed 3-6 months after surgery.
- Endosteal/Endosseous Dental Implants get placed into the jawbone using the two-step treatment. These types of implants are often used in place of a bridge or denture.
- Single-Stage Dental Implants involve placing a longer implant into the jaw and gum so that the top of the implant is exposed. After several months of healing, the abutment and restoration go right onto the implant without needing more surgery to expose the implant post.
- Subperiosteal Dental Implants get placed into the jawbone and the metal post is exposed to hold the restoration. These types of implants are most often used in single-stage treatment.
What About Same-Day Implants?
You’ve probably seen these advertised and wondered what it’s all about. From a dental point of view, there are pros and cons. Many dentists do not recommend them
Pros:
- Receive their implant surgery and new teeth the same day
- No uncomfortable temporary partials or dentures
- No downtime without permanent teeth
- Eat and talk in relative comfort during the healing process
- Minimal disruption to everyday life
Cons:
- No shortcuts if bone grafts are needed
- Little time for the bone-to-implant integration process
- Same 3–6-month healing period where finished implants may move or become displaced
- Strict adherence to a soft diet for 3-6 month
- Need an adequate bone density
The Douglas Family Dentistry Experience
Douglas Family Dentistry offers a friendly, professional environment for patients from kids to adults and seniors if you live in Phoenix, Scottsdale, or the surrounding communities. We can answer all your questions about implants and if you are a good candidate. Call us at 480-948-3680 or go to our website to schedule an appointment and let us get you on the road to replacing missing or badly damaged teeth.
