Dental Implants Las Vegas look, feel, and function like natural teeth. They also preserve the jaw bone and significantly reduce bone resorption and deterioration.
Patients must have good oral health and practice proper hygiene to receive an implant. They must also be willing to undergo surgery and commit to a post-implant maintenance plan.
Dental implants replace one or more missing teeth by replacing the root and crown of your tooth. They look, feel, and function like natural teeth and are indistinguishable from your other teeth. They also help prevent bone loss and promote healthy gum tissue. They can also enhance your facial structure and boost your confidence.
The gap left by a missing tooth can cause the surrounding teeth to shift, affecting your bite, ability to chew, and smile appearance. The gaps also allow food to collect and bacteria to thrive, increasing your risk of gum disease. Dental implants can restore your full chewing function and help you maintain a healthy diet.
Removable restorations, such as dentures, often slip and come loose at inconvenient times, making it difficult to speak clearly or eat comfortably. This can cause embarrassment and a reduction in your quality of life. Dental implants are permanently anchored in your mouth, providing stability and eliminating the need for special cleaning products or adhesives.
Many people with missing teeth avoid smiling or laughing, which can be a source of shame and frustration. However, a healthy, complete smile is essential for good health and self-esteem. Dental implants can replace your missing teeth and give you back a full, beautiful smile.
Almost anyone healthy enough to undergo oral surgery is a candidate for dental implants, provided enough jawbone remains to support the replacement tooth. However, patients with uncontrolled chronic conditions that could interfere with healing—such as diabetes, heart disease, and leukemia—or those who have had previous radiation therapy to the head/neck area need to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
A dental implant can last a lifetime, but the restorations attached to it may need to be replaced periodically. These replacements are usually less expensive than dental implants and will be more comfortable to wear than traditional restorations. Implants are also a more aesthetic choice than dentures, which can look false and irritate the soft tissues of your mouth. In addition to their aesthetic benefits, implants are easier to clean than removable restorations, which can require using cups, cleaning tablets, and other products.
When you lose a tooth, the bone supporting it weakens over time. Dental implants prevent this by acting as artificial tooth roots and stimulating the underlying bone through osseointegration. This stimulates bone growth and helps to preserve the shape of your face.
Traditional dentures and dental bridges do not have this function. This is because they rely on adjacent teeth for support and do not stimulate the jaw bone, which can cause the surrounding teeth to shift into the empty socket and deteriorate.
Dental implants also prevent bone resorption, which can change the shape of your jaw and cause additional tooth loss. They are also more comfortable than removable dentures that can slip out of place, cause speech impediments, or eat certain foods due to a lack of stability.
Once you get your dental implants, you can care for them like any other tooth and will experience a significant boost in your self-esteem as they look, feel, and function just like your natural teeth. Your dentist will advise you on how to care for your implants and may recommend a specific diet to help the implant heal faster.
While most implants are made from titanium, some are constructed from other materials based on your needs. For example, some are built from zirconia, an extremely durable, high-quality material that resists corrosion. Zirconia implants can last for a lifetime, but they will need to be treated gently.
Dental implants can replace one or more missing teeth and are designed to withstand the normal biting force of your natural teeth. Your dental professional will create a personalized treatment plan that includes any preparatory procedures, like bone grafting, before you receive your implants.
Contact a dentist today to learn more about how dental implants can transform your life. We can help you schedule a consultation with an experienced implantologist and help you find the perfect solution to your tooth replacement needs. We can also assist you with new dentures if necessary.
Humans are blessed with two sets of teeth: baby and adult/permanent. Unfortunately, the permanent teeth may not always stay in place for various reasons, including gum disease (periodontitis) and decay. If you have lost one or more teeth, dental implants are an excellent way to replace them. Implants offer many benefits, from improving your appearance to enhancing your ability to eat and chew. They also preserve the remaining natural bone in your jaw and help prevent its resorption. Dental implants are very stable, and their long-term success rates rival or exceed other teeth replacement options.
The first step in determining whether you are an ideal candidate for dental implants is a comprehensive examination of your medical history, dental health, and oral needs. Then, we work with the surgeons to develop a thorough treatment plan.
We may recommend a fixed bridge or full denture supported by single or multiple dental implants for missing teeth. We typically use titanium implants, which are shaped like small screws and are inserted into the jawbone where a tooth root once was. An abutment spacer is attached to the implant, and an artificial tooth, or crown, is fabricated to fit over it.
Before placing a tooth implant, we perform a detailed site evaluation to ensure enough healthy bone is present to support the new tooth. This is done using 3-D computerized planning software to create a virtual treatment plan for the optimal location of the implant and to determine whether additional procedures, such as a bone graft, will be required to enhance the site’s quality.
With this information in hand, the surgeon and restorative dentist can begin the implant’s surgical placement. For most patients, this minimally invasive procedure requires only local anesthesia. We utilize a technique called guided surgery, in which a surgical template is used to guide the implant placement (NobelGuide) precisely. This eliminates the need for a flap and shortens the healing period.
Dental implants are the only teeth replacement option that is designed to be permanent. They fuse with the bone to become a natural part of the tooth structure, so they look, feel, and function like your natural teeth. They provide better stability and reliability than traditional dentures and other tooth replacement options and last longer.
The implant fixture, or post, fuses with the jaw bone to mimic your natural tooth root and prevent bone resorption. A connector post called the abutment goes on top of the fixture and holds the replacement tooth or teeth. The abutment is typically made from titanium, resistant to decay and other oral complications.
Because the implant post and crown look similar to your natural teeth, you will forget that it is not real. This means you won’t have to worry about slipping or ill-fitting dentures that can cause discomfort and lead to mumbling or slurred speech. Dental implants also improve your ability to eat and chew food, preventing bone resorption.
Most healthy adults can get dental implants. However, patients with uncontrolled chronic diseases such as diabetes or heart disease and those who have received radiation therapy to the head/neck area need to be evaluated on an individual basis. Heavy smokers also may need to consider alternative options for teeth replacement because smoking interferes with the healing process and can affect results.
Implants can last the rest of your life, but they require regular oral hygiene to prevent complications such as gum disease. You should brush and floss around your implants just as you do with your natural teeth, and it is important to visit your dentist for twice-yearly cleanings and exams.
The most important factor for successful dental implants is a commitment to good oral hygiene and routine visits to your dentist. If you maintain these habits, your dental implants and their connected restorations will last for the rest of your life. With proper care, dental implants have a success rate that rivals or exceeds other replacement options, such as bridges or removable appliances.