Dental Implants

If you have missing teeth, dental implants are a great way to restore the appearance and function of your mouth. Implants are more durable and long-lasting than other tooth replacement options. Because they are attached directly to the jaw bone, they provide an incredibly high level of support for your new teeth. At Oral Implants & Reconstructive Dentistry, we can install traditional and mini implants to restore your natural smile!

What Are Dental Implants Used For?

Dental implants are titanium posts that are surgically attached to the jaw bone. They support tooth replacements such as bridges, dentures, and crowns. Because they are attached to the bone, implant-supported teeth are more functional and natural-feeling than other replacement options. They allow patients to eat and speak normally, without having to worry about their artificial teeth shifting or moving during the day.

Why Should I Consider Dental Implants?

Although a missing tooth may not seem like an issue, problems can develop in the surrounding teeth, gums, and jaw structure if left untreated. If a tooth is not replaced, the surrounding teeth may begin to shift and fall into the gap. This can put pressure on your remaining teeth and affect your ability to bite and chew. Without a root structure, the jaw bone beneath your missing tooth may begin to deteriorate. Eventually, this can lead to long-term damage to the structure of your mouth.

By replacing your missing tooth, you can redistribute the pressure from your bite to prevent your natural teeth from wearing down. An artificial tooth will also prevent your surrounding teeth from shifting and becoming misaligned. Because dental implants have an artificial root structure, they can keep your jaw healthy and promote bone growth.

What Types of Replacements Can Implants Support?

We can use implants to replace one tooth or several. If you need a single tooth replaced, we can install a dental implant and place a crown on it once it has healed. We will design your crown to look and feel like a natural tooth. If you need several or all of your teeth replaced, we can use implants to support a bridge, partial dentures, or full dentures. Implants are commonly used with partial dentures to replace several teeth in a row. However, they are ideal for full dentures as well.

What Are Mini Implants?

Mini implants are similar to traditional implants, except they are much smaller and easier to install. While traditional implants can take more than one visit to install, and require several months of healing, mini implants can often be placed in a single visit. Because they are so small, patients with weak or thin jaw bones may be able to take advantage of this treatment.

Mini implants are a faster, cheaper alternative to traditional implants. They can support partial and full dentures, just like traditional ones. During your consultation, we will review your oral health information and discuss your health goals to determine which treatment is best for you.

If you think you may be a candidate for dental implants, call our office today at 614-885-1215. Together, we can find the perfect treatment for your smile!