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Are Dental Implants Right for Me?

April 17, 2018

Dentist showing woman a dental implant modelTraditional tooth replacement solutions like dental bridges and dentures only replace the parts of your teeth above the gum line. While this is preferable to foregoing tooth replacement altogether, without the roots of your teeth, your smile is not complete. That’s why more dentists than ever before are recommending dental implant supported tooth replacement for their patients. Implant posts replace missing tooth roots and provide natural looking and feeling support for any number of replacement teeth.

What are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are posts that mimic the roots of teeth. They can be made from a variety of biocompatible materials, but they are most often crafted from titanium or zirconia. Once surgically placed below the gum line, implants fuse with the supportive bone and soft tissue mimicking the roots of teeth. The implants are positioned below the gum line during a surgical treatment. Many patients are worried about undergoing oral surgery, but implant placement procedures are actually very comfortable and minimally invasive. We begin by making an incision in the gums over the vacated socket. Then, we place the implant post into the jawbone. Finally, we attach a protective cap to allow the implant to fuse with the bone and gum tissue.

How Many Teeth can be Replaced with Implants?

Any number of teeth can be replaced using implant supported dental restorations. We simply place more implants to support larger restorations. A single implant can be used to support a replacement tooth. Two implants can be used to support a fixed bridge to replace several consecutive teeth, and three to six implants may be recommended for partial or full dentures.

How Long do Dental Implant Restorations Last?

Once in place, dental implant supported restorations will last two decades or longer with proper care. Traditional bridges and dentures need to be replaced every five to ten years even with the most attentive care. Long lasting, natural looking and feeling implant supported restorations may remain in place for the rest of a patient’s lifetime.

Meet the White Clay Dental Associates

At White Clay Dental Associates, we go the extra mile to deliver the right treatment for every patient. Our dentists and dentistry team members take the time to answer questions, review all of your treatment options, and help you find the best solution to meet your unique needs. If you’ve lost a single tooth or your full smile, call our Newark dentistry team to find out more or schedule a tooth replacement consultation with us today. We look forward to helping you repair your smile.