Tooth LossLiving with missing teeth can be uncomfortable but also is not good for your overall health. At Dallas Oral Surgery Associates, we will help you find the best solution to replace those teeth and restore your smile. What Is A Dental Implant?A dental implant is a tooth restoration procedure that replaces single, several, or all of your teeth. Each implant is made up of three separate parts. The implant is usually made of titanium or zirconium and this part is positioned in the jawbone. It is attached to the replacement tooth by an abutment which joins the two separate parts together. A dental implant is hard to differentiate between one of your natural teeth. It looks and functions the same and can withstand the same biting and chewing forces exerted on it as natural teeth can. How Are Multiple Tooth Implants Used?Traditionally, dental implants replaced only one tooth. If you have more than one missing tooth you may want to replace them with individual dental implants. However, this may not be the most cost-effective way of replacing your teeth, particularly if you have several missing in a row, or you’d like all of your teeth replaced. In these circumstances, you may want to consider some of the other options available. Implant-Supported BridgeAn implant-supported bridge is a fixed solution that is similar to traditional dental bridges. The difference is that instead of your natural teeth on either side of a gap supporting the bridge, the bridge is supported by dental implants. Thus, if you have three missing teeth in a row, you may have dental implants inserted on the right and left side of the gap, which will support crowns that hold a single replacement tooth over the middle space. The All-on-4® Treatment ConceptThe All-on-4 Treatment Concept is another fixed solution where all of the teeth in the upper or lower jaw are replaced by a complete arch of teeth. The arch is affixed to four dental implants—two in the front of the jaw, and two in the rear. Unlike traditional dental implants where the bone loss in the jaw may be a problem, this procedure may be performed on patients with bone loss without requiring bone grafting. This is because dental implants are positioned in the exact place to provide the greatest bone-to-implant contact. Plus, the implants used in the rear of the mouth are longer than traditional implants. Implant-Supported DentureAn implant-supported denture is another option for patients who have lost all of their teeth. Similar to the All-on-4, a complete arch of teeth is affixed onto a minimum of two dental implants, but it can be four or more. The difference between this procedure and the All-on-4 is that the implant-supported denture is removable, and the implants must be surrounded by bone. It may not be an option for patients who have suffered bone atrophy. Am I Suitable for Dental Implants?You must be in good health, as some medical conditions including diabetes, or treatments such as radiotherapy may be an issue. Smokers are also not good candidates for dental implants because smoking diminishes blood flow containing important nutrients to aid healing. If you need to replace your teeth, we can help you find the right solution fit for you. Schedule an appointment to find out more about multiple tooth implant options at Dallas Oral Surgery Associates by calling 214-363-9946. |
