Dental Implants

What are dental implants?

 

Dental Implants are tooth replacements that are permanently fixed into your jaw. A metal implant is placed where the root of a lost tooth was and after some time to heal, it is ready to support a tooth replacement. Because they are attached more securely, dental implants look and feel much just like your other natural teeth.

 

A dental implant also helps to prevent bone loss in the jaw. A jawbone requires natural force that your teeth normally provide to maintain its shape. A dental implant provides the force needed to maintain the jawbone and helps to retain your healthy face shape.

 

Why chose an implant?

 

There are a few reasons why implants are the ideal tooth replacement. Patients most often like that having a dental implant feels and works much like having a natural tooth in place. A dental implant is not held in place with an adhesive and won’t move during eating or talking. Our patients tell us that their implants feel more natural than a bridge or partial denture.

The implant will also better serve to support the jawbone itself. Most patients do not realize that bones need stimulation to support normal shape and density. The chewing forces put onto the jaw from natural teeth help maintain the overall look and shape of your face. A dental implant helps to retain normal function in the jawbone much like your natural teeth would.

Dr. Wendy Sugiono has helped hundreds of patients successfully receive dental implants and is a fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists.

 

What is a ceramic implant?

Ceramic implants are 100% metal-free and closely approximate the natural tooth root in terms of aesthetics and function. They are  completely free of metallic corrosion and conduct neither electricity nor heat.

For patients concerned about having metals in their mouths, we offer these as a more biocompatible option. The ceramic also blends in easier with the rest of the mouth and can help avoid the obvious appearance of having a dental implant.

 

What is the dental implant procedure like?

 

Dr. Sugiono will go over if you a good candidate for dental implants. It requires careful planning and the use of healthy bone structure to place an implant properly. Gum disease, bone loss and other medical issues can affect the feasibility of placing an implant successfully.

If you are a good candidate for implants, the clinical process requires at least two visits. The first visit places a metal post into the jawbone. Then the implant requires about 2 to 6 months for the bone to fuse properly before a tooth replacement (usually a crown) can be placed on top to complete the process. Waiting time may vary as we must make sure that the implant is stable before using it to chew.

As always, it is important to practice good oral hygiene and brush and floss in the areas around the implant just like you would for your other teeth. Regular hygiene appointments and visits to Dr. Tran are necessary to make sure your gums are healthy and that your implant is functioning normally.

Give us a call today to see Dr. Sugiono and have her and her friendly staff answer any questions you might have about getting dental implants for your missing teeth!