DENTAL IMPLANTS
Dental implants are a great way to replace missing teeth and also provide a fixed solution to having removable partial or complete dentures. Implants can also provide excellent support and stability for ill-fitting dentures. Dental implants are titanium cylinders (or screws) placed in the jawbone in the areas of missing teeth. These implants bond or integrate with your bone at which time your restorative dentist will restore the implant with a natural-looking tooth or teeth. Dental implants are predictable, strong, stable, and durable.
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Reasons for dental implants:
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Replace one or more missing teeth without affecting adjacent teeth.
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Restore a patient’s confident smile.
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Restore chewing, speech, and digestion.
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Restore or enhance facial tissues.
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Support a bridge or denture, making them more secure and comfortable.
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You will receive care instructions when your treatment is completed. Good oral hygiene, eating habits, and regular dental visits will aid in the life of your new implant.
Often a bone graft is needed at the time of tooth extraction, in a procedure called socket preservation. As the name would imply, the purpose is to preserve as much bone height and width as possible, thus facilitating ideal implant placement 3 to 4 months after healing. The long-term success and cosmetic appearance of the implant will be enhanced by adding bone at the time of tooth extraction.
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Ridge Augmentation
In some cases where a tooth has been missing for several years and no bone graft was done at the time of tooth removal, there may be inadequate bone for implant placement. In this case, a bone graft can be placed over the bone and allowed to heal for several months. This procedure is known as Ridge Augmentation. After the site has healed, implants can be placed in their ideal position for optimal function and esthetics.
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Osteotome Sinus Lift
A technique for managing inadequate bone under the sinus cavity in your posterior maxilla is known as Osteotome Sinus Lift or Internal Sinus Lift. This is usually used where there is some remaining bone under the sinus floor, but not quite enough. The sinus membrane is elevated, and bone is grafted onto the sinus floor so that implants can be securely placed without any harm to the sinus itself.
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