If you have missing teeth, the best choice for tooth replacement is dental implants. In addition to being very natural looking, comfortable, and permanent, implants can be placed without making any modifications to adjacent teeth—a major advantage over the traditional crown and bridge technique.
Dental implants are placed by an implant dentist or an oral surgeon. The placement process requires oral surgery because the root portion of the implant is placed directly in the jawbone. This holds the tooth in place just like a normal tooth root would. It also helps stimulate the jawbone to continue regenerating rather than atrophying over time.
Unlike a dental bridge, the new teeth are totally anchored by the artificial root. There is no need to alter the adjacent teeth to place an anchoring crown or wires to hold the prosthetic tooth in place. The artificial root is made out of titanium. During the healing process, the bone bonds to the implant so the new tooth won’t shift or move. You can have an implant placed even if you’re only missing one tooth. Other options, including a removable denture or a permanent bridge, either do not help preserve the jawbone or require restructuring of the adjacent teeth. In the case of a bridge, both these disadvantage apply.
The most important factor for a successful dental implant surgery is that you must be in good health. Any problems that could affect your healing process could make it difficult for your implants to heal. Our oral surgeons will discuss your overall health as well as your dental health before making the decision to place implants. Some questions might include:
All these issues can affect your ability to heal thoroughly after your oral surgery, or can make it more difficult for the bone tissue to bond to the implant.
Call The Center for Oral Surgery of Las Vegas today to set up a consultation with our specialists and discuss your treatment plan.