If You Have Missing Teeth – They Are Not Gone Forever If You Ask Your Philadelphia Dentist For Help
There are many ways your smile can be restored, but the most effective, long-lasting option is through teeth implants. At Philly Dentistry in Center City, Dr. Cirka and his team evaluate patients to see who’s a good candidate, place dental implants, and create beautiful, complete smiles.
Understanding Teeth Implants
Teeth implants are made of three parts:
- Post: This small titanium post is surgically implanted in the jawbone beneath the gumline and serves as a replacement for the missing tooth root.
- Abutment: This small connector is attached to the post and serves as the place for the above-the-gumline restoration to be situated.
- Restoration: The restoration that’s right for a patient’s unique oral health needs – a single crown, dental bridge, or dentures – is situated on the abutment.
Once the post is implanted, the surgical area must heal, which can take a few months. It’s critical for the implant to fuse with the jawbone so it is firmly in place and serves as a stable foundation for the restoration. The presence of the implant also stimulates the jawbone and preserves bone structure, so patients avoid one of the major side effects of missing teeth – an altered face shape.
Types of Teeth Implants
There are different numbers of teeth implants used in dental restoration surgery depending on how many missing teeth you have and where they are located. The most common scenarios are as follows:
- Single-tooth replacement: When you are missing one tooth, it may not seem like a big deal but, over time, this missing tooth will affect how you bite and chew, how the rest of your teeth work, and your overall oral health.A single-tooth implant is a powerful restoration that makes your smile complete.
- Multiple-teeth replacement: If you have multiple missing teeth next to each other, an implant-supported bridge may be your best choice. Unlike a conventional dental bridge that attaches to neighboring teeth around your missing tooth gap, two teeth implants are put in place and a carefully designed multi-tooth crown is attached to the abutments. You can replace multiple missing teeth at one time without the cost of replacing each tooth.
- All-teeth replacement: When you are missing an entire arch of teeth, dentures can be an amazing part of your solution when you combine them with teeth implants. Four dental implants are placed in the jawbone and customized dentures are permanently secured to the implants. Nothing covers your palate and there is no worrying about appliances falling out, sliding around, or interfering with your speech or eating.
Are You a Good Candidate for Teeth Implants?
Every patient who wants to replace their missing teeth must undergo a dental exam to determine if they are a good candidate for the restoration. There are a few critical items that must be in place to make implants a viable option:
- Good bone density: If you have had a missing tooth or teeth for a while, bone can begin to deteriorate, which means there may not be enough bone for the implant to fuse to. If your bone density is poor, you’re not out of luck. A bone grafting procedure may be a viable option, which can help your body to regenerate bone and tissue to create a more robust foundation.
- Quality oral health: Often, missing teeth are caused by gum disease. If you are living with this infection, or any other oral health problems, it will need to be cleared up before any restorations can be done. Dental implants cannot be placed in an unhealthy mouth.
Get Teeth Implants From Philly Dentistry
If you’re ready to fill in your missing teeth, restore your smile, and reinvigorate your life, contact Philly Dentistry located in Center City, Philadelphia. Schedule a consultation to find out if teeth implants are right for you.
