At New Smiles, we believe dental implants are the best solution for tooth replacement. Just about anyone is a great candidate for implants. The only question is the health of the patient and jawbone mass. If you’ve been missing a tooth or teeth for a period of time, you may have insufficient jawbone mass to hold the implant. In those cases, we can build up the jawbone with grafting prior to placing the implants.
We also offer a New Smile in a Day procedure if you are missing a large number of teeth and looking to have same-day dental implants.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are an appliance used to replace the roots of teeth. The implant is surgically attached to the jaw bone and an artificial tooth is attached to the top of the implant, creating a natural looking, undetectable replacement for the missing tooth. In the event that more than one tooth is missing, several implants may provide a base for a series of artificial teeth known as a fixed bridge.
It generally takes about six months for the surgical implant to heal before the final installation of the artificial tooth or teeth can be finished.
Dental Implants Before and After Photos
Who Is a Candidate For Dental Implants?
You may be a candidate for dental implants if you have:
- A missing tooth or teeth
- Potential bite and jaw joint problems from teeth shifting to fill the space
- The "sunken face" look associated with missing teeth
- Desire to improve chewing ability
- Desire for a more permanent solution than dentures
Benefits Of Dental Implants
Dental implants with artificial teeth are the closest thing to regrowing your natural teeth. They are strong, stable, durable and virtually undetectable. By filling gaps left by missing teeth, implants can provide better chewing ability and head off jaw joint problems. They are far superior to removable dentures.
Patients that receive dental implants will experience all of the benefits of natural teeth. They are durable and blend in with your other teeth. It is important for your new implants as if they are natural teeth by practicing good oral hygiene.
The Dental Implant Procedure
Once we determine you have sufficient jawbone mass to hold the implant, the process involves four steps:
Placement
We initially make a very tiny incision in your gums and screw the titanium implant down into the bone where your tooth was and that will become the new root.
Osseointegration
Then, we let the bone grow around the implant. This process takes from four to six months.
Abutment
We then place a post into the implant to hold the artificial tooth. This is called the abutment, and once placed we let the gums heal around it for around four weeks.
Crown
All that is left is to attach the artificial tooth, called a crown, to the abutment. The crown is custom-made at a dental lab to perfectly match your surrounding teeth.
Is the Dental Implant Procedure Safe?
Dental implant surgery is a safe and successful procedure with a high success rate when performed by an experienced dental professional. Much planning goes into preparing a patient for dental implants, including x-ray imaging to determine the placement of implants into the jawbone. Patients who receive dental implants often report improved appearance, speech, comfort, and self-esteem. They continue to visit their dentist for evaluations and cleanings to ensure the longevity of the dental implants with time.
Will Dental Implants Stop Bone Loss?
The short answer is yes. Dental implants can actually help prevent bone loss in the jaw. When a tooth is missing, the surrounding bone no longer has that stimulation from chewing and biting, causing it to deteriorate over time. Dental implants act as a replacement tooth root, providing that stimulation to the surrounding bone and preventing further deterioration. In fact, many research studies have even shown that dental implants can actually lead to an increase in jawbone density. Not only do dental implants give you a beautiful and functional replacement tooth, they also promote healthy jawbone structure at the same time!
How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
Dental implants are designed to be long-lasting and, with proper attention, they can even last a lifetime! However, our team encourages you to note that individual factors such as oral hygiene and overall health can affect the longevity of dental implants. Regular visits to your dentist for check-ups and cleanings, as well as maintaining good oral hygiene at home, will greatly increase the chances of your dental implants lasting for many years to come.
Can Dental Implants Get Cavities?
Although dental implants themselves cannot develop cavities, the surrounding natural teeth and gum tissue still can. You will need to continue practicing good oral hygiene habits, including brushing at least twice each day, flossing at least once each day, and visiting your dentist regularly for check-ups and cleanings. Additionally, avoid using your dental implants to chew on hard or sticky foods, as this can cause damage to them or the restorations attached to the abutments. Treat your dental implants just like you would your natural teeth, with care and attention, to maintain their health and function.
Is It Easier To Chew With Dental Implants?
Absolutely! Dental implants function just like natural teeth, allowing you to chew and bite with ease. In fact, many patients report an improvement in their ability to chew after getting dental implants placed by the team at New Smiles Dental. Additionally, dental implants also improve your speech and overall comfort when eating. Say goodbye to the struggles and discomfort of chewing with missing or damaged teeth with dental implants!
What Is Recovery From Dental Implants?
Surprisingly, dental implant surgery is not painful. In fact, many people think the tooth extraction is more tender than the implant procedure. There will be some soreness, but that can usually be addressed with over-the-counter pain relievers.
Maintaining Your Dental Implants
Dental implants do not require any special care; regular brushing and flossing are all that’s needed.
What Are The Disadvantages Of Dental Implants?
Dental implants are excellent, state-of-the-art restorations and have few disadvantages when compared to alternatives such as dentures. However, dental implants do require surgery and time to heal, and they are initially more expensive than dentures or fixed bridges. These disadvantages are offset by the ease of use, saved time and long-term health benefits of implants.
"I love this office…everyone is so friendly. For someone that is so afraid of going to the dentist…I would highly recommend this office to anyone. They are calming and very helpful in every way." -Keri K.
Alternatives To Dental Implants
In some cases, there may be an inadequate bone to support an implant. In those instances, advanced surgery to restore bone may then be necessary to allow the use of implants. The alternative to using implants would be a bridge or the use of removable dental appliances to restore function.
If you need multiple removed at once, you have options. You can use an individual implant to replace every missing tooth, but that option can be more expensive. Some patients opt to have implants strategically placed as anchors for either permanent bridges or for anchored dentures. If you’re missing a large number of teeth, ask about our New Smile in a Day program.
What is the Difference between Dental Bridges and Dental Implants?
The nice thing about dental implants is that they function and feel just like natural teeth. Since they are anchored into the jawbone, they are almost as strong as your natural teeth. They don’t shift like dentures. They can’t be pulled out by chewing sticky foods, as bridges can be. Caring for them is exactly the same as your natural teeth; no special care is needed. Plus, implants can last the rest of your life without needing replacement.
Sherwood Dental Implant Reviews
"it is a delight coming to your office as everyone is so cheerful and anxious to make sure your visit is the best. Thank you for turning a unpleasant experience into one you remember with a smile on your face. The rose is a very nice touch!"
-Dolores T.
"I actually enjoy and look forward to my visits; my outlook on ‘going to the dentist’ has completely changed and I am forever grateful."
-Kelly B.
Schedule a Consultation
If you are interested in learning more about dental implants or would like to see if you are a good candidate, call 503.925.9595 to schedule a Sherwood dental implants consultation at our office in Sherwood, OR or fill out an online contact form and our office will be in touch with you! We proudly serve patients in Sherwood, Newberg, Tigard, Wilsonville, Dundee and the surrounding areas in Oregon.
