Dental Implants: Replace Your Missing Teeth

If you have missing teeth, dental implants offer a way to replace them. Unlike removable bridges and crowns, dental implants will not wear down or negatively affect the surrounding teeth. Implants can also prevent bone loss in the jaws by stimulating the jawbone during chewing. Read on to learn about the dental implant options that you have.

Single dental implant

Some patients may have missing teeth in different parts of the mouth – for example, one in the upper jaw and one in the lower jaw. For these patients, a single implant in each of these locations can be a good way to replace these missing teeth. Each implant is custom-made, so the patient will be getting an implant that looks natural and blends with the other teeth.

For each area with a missing tooth, the dentist will drill into the jawbone to place the base of the implant. This will fuse with the jawbone over a period of several months. The patient may receive a temporary crown for the area during this time. However, the patient will need to be careful about eating. This will allow the area to fully heal.

After the base has fused with the jawbone, the dentist will place an abutment over the base. Finally, the dentist will place the crown over the implant. One of the benefits of getting an implant is that the patient will gain full function of the tooth afterward. Because the implant goes deep into the bone, a dental implant is stronger than other missing teeth replacement options.

Bridges and full-mouth dental implants

If a patient has two or more teeth in a row that are missing, a dentist can place a bridge over the area. For patients who are missing all of the teeth in the upper or lower jawbone, the dentist can use implant-supported dentures.

A bridge is similar to a single dental implant. However, the bridge consists of two or more false teeth fused together. Because the bridge is not attached to other teeth, the patient will not have to worry about the other teeth wearing down from the attachment. The bridge will also function like the rest of the natural teeth.

For implant-supported dentures, the dentist will place several implants along the patient’s jawbone. After these implants have had time to heal and integrate with the jawbone, the dentist will place attachments over these implants. This will allow the patient to snap the dentures on the implants for a more secure fit than with traditional dentures.

Visit a dentist today

If you are considering getting dental implants to replace one or more missing teeth, visiting a dentist is the first step in getting started. Your dentist will be able to help you choose the right type of implant to replace your missing teeth. Your dentist will also be able to help you properly care for your dental implants afterward so they will last a lifetime. Visit a dentist for more information.

Request an appointment here: https://www.gablesexceptionaldentistry.com or call Gables Exceptional Dentistry at (305) 203-4132 for an appointment in our Coral Gables office.

Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.