My Blog
Archive:
- 2021
- 2020
- 2019
- 2018
- 2017
- 2016
- 2015
- 2014
- 2013
- 2012
Tags
- fluoride (2)
- celebrity smiles (88)
- floss (1)
- periodontal (gum) disease (1)
- common symptoms (1)
- oral health (33)
- oral hygiene (32)
- diabetes (1)
- smile makeover (7)
- cosmetic dentistry (21)
- veneers (6)
- invisalign (1)
- clear aligners (5)
- orthodontics (5)
- dental implants (23)
- chipped tooth (3)
- bonding (2)
- pediatric dentistry (6)
- teething (1)
- thumb sucking (2)
- oral cancer (6)
- orthodontic treatment (11)
- braces (9)
- dentures (6)
- pediatric care (2)
- pregnancy (3)
- gum disease (9)
- periodontal disease (3)
- tooth decay (16)
- crowns (8)
- local anesthesia (2)
- dental crowns (3)
- missing tooth (2)
- replacing teeth (1)
- dental implant (4)
- porcelain veneers (5)
- bleeding gums (1)
- bridgework (1)
- tooth pain (5)
- root canal treatment (2)
- plastic surgery (1)
- gum recession (1)
- wisdom teeth (5)
- x-rays (2)
- tooth grinding (1)
- athletic mouthguards (2)
- dental injury (9)
- mouthguards (5)
- tooth extraction (1)
- toothache (2)
- abscessed tooth (1)
- tmd (3)
- tmj disorders (6)
- tmj (3)
- tooth wear (2)
- cancer (1)
- root canal (3)
- smoking (3)
- mouthguard (1)
- root resorption (1)
- canker sores (1)
- dental emergency (2)
- teeth wear (1)
- bad breath (1)
- teeth grinding (3)
- nutrition (7)
- sugar (2)
- sensitive teeth (1)
- dry mouth (2)
- missing teeth (2)
- implant dentistry (1)
- toothpaste (1)
- restorative dentistry (1)
- teeth whitening (3)
- Family Dentist (1)
- dental care (3)
- flossing (1)
- chipped teeth (1)
- snoring (1)
- sleep apnea (1)
- dental injuries (1)
- removable partial denture (1)
- Damaged Teeth (2)
- tooth replacement (1)
- sports drinks (1)
- dentistry (1)
- x-ray (1)
- Family Dentistry (2)
- osteoporosis (1)
- bone grafting (1)
- CAT scans (1)
- bridge (1)
- bone loss (1)
- Dental Sealants (1)
- retainer (1)
- vitamins (1)
- mouthrinse (1)
- Gums (1)
- Root Canal Therapy (1)
- extraction (1)
- stress (1)
- dental exam (1)
- mouth sore (1)
- Dentist (1)
- Dental Visits (1)
- Dental Checkups (1)
At one time people who had lost all their teeth faced a grim future. With no feasible alternative, their tooth loss severely limited their ability to eat or speak. Their appearance suffered too, not only from the missing teeth but from bone loss in their facial structure.
We’ve come a long way since then — today, it’s possible to restore complete tooth loss with a permanent set of implant-supported teeth. Unlike other options like removable dentures, implantation can stop and even reverse bone loss caused by missing teeth. And because it now only takes a few strategically-placed implants to support an entire fixed bridge of teeth, the implant option is more affordable than ever.
In essence, implants are tooth root replacement systems. The titanium post that is surgically placed within the jawbone is osseophilic (“bone-loving”), which means bone will grow and adhere to it in a few weeks to further secure it in place. A dental restoration — a single crown (the visible portion of the tooth) or an entire bridge or arch — is then cemented or screwed to the implant.
While dental implants for single teeth normally require full bone integration before the permanent crown is set, it’s often possible for an implant-supported bridge of many teeth to be set at the same time as implantation. The bridge is attached to four or more implants that support the bridge like the legs of a stool; the teeth within the bridge also act to support each other. Both of these factors help to evenly distribute the biting force, which reduces the risk of crown failure before complete bone integration. You would still need to limit yourself to a soft food diet for 6-8 weeks while the bone integration takes place, but the procedure is essentially completed when you leave the dentist’s office.
As marvelous as the possibilities are with implant restorations, it still requires a great deal of planning and artistry from a team of dental professionals to realize a successful outcome. But working together, you and your team can achieve what wasn’t possible even a few years ago: a complete set of life-like, fully functional implant-supported teeth — and a new smile to boot!
If you would like more information on implant-supported teeth, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “New Teeth in One Day.”
