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| Although you have a number of restorative options for the treatment of missing teeth, none have proven to be as functionally effective and durable as dental implants. In many cases, dental implants may be the only logical choice for the restoration of all necessary functionality of the teeth and supporting structures. |
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| What are Dental Implants? |
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Dental implants are precision devices that are used to replace the root of a missing tooth. These titanium screws or cylinders are anchored into the jawbone where it can support a single tooth crown, a multi-tooth bridge, or stabilize a removable partial or full denture. |
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| What Causes Tooth Loss? |
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Tooth decay |
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Root canal failure |
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Gum disease |
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Trauma to the mouth |
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Excessive wear and tear |
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Inherited defects |
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| What Happens if I Do Non Pursue Treatment? |
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| You will feel self-conscious when you smile or talk. Tooth loss will have a negative effect on your eating habits, which could lead to health problems like malnutrition. |
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| You will also experience bone loss if you have missing teeth. Bone loss occurs because when a tooth is missing, the bone may erode and weaken since there is no tooth supporting the bone. |
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| Your teeth will naturally try to close the gap of your missing tooth which will cause spacing between your teeth (See Figure 1). |
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| Why Should I get Dental Implants? |
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| In most cases, dental implants are stronger and more durable than bridges and dentures. Single implants can serve to support your crown replacing a single missing tooth. Implants can also support a dental bridge for replacement of multiple missing teeth. Patients with full dentures often struggle with instability and discomfort which limits their function. Implants placed to help stabilize a denture can decrease pain and allow you to chew without difficulty. |
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| How Do I get Dental Implants? |
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| The importance of this procedure is to create a functional and structural connection between your bone and the dental implant. This process is done through what is called Osseointegration, which anchors the root of the dental implant to your jaw bone. |
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| Step 1: |
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| Dr. Gronbach will prepare the area where your tooth is missing. You may need excess bone or gum tissue removed, you may need your bone reshaped or the bone ridge reduced (these are all consequences of missing teeth). See Figure 1. |
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| Step 2: |
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| Dr. Gronbach will place the implant (a small metal post) in your mouth and allow it to anchor and heal to the jaw bone, which takes about 3 – 6 months (See Figure 2). A temporary tooth can be placed in your mouth while your implant heals. |
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| Step 3: |
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| Once the implant has anchored to your jaw bone, the permanent false tooth can be placed over the implant (See Figures 3 & 4). In denture cases, your general dentist will attach the denture to the implants. *Osseointegration must be done or the implant will fail. |
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| Are Dental Implants Successful? |
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| Studies have shown a 5-year success rate of 95% for lower jaw implants and 90% for upper jaw implants due to it being less dense than the lower jaw, making successful implantation and osseointegration potentially more difficult to achieve. |
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| How do I Care for My Dental Implant? |
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Because dental implants bond to your bone, crowns attached to your dental implants look and act similar to natural teeth. When brushing and flossing your dental implants you must use the proper techniques that you use on your natural teeth. |
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