What are dental implants?
Dental implants are prosthetic teeth replacements. Whether a tooth is broken or missing due to severe gum disease, decay, or injury, dental implants may offer a permanent restorative solution. Biocompatible titanium alloy rods fuse (osseointegrate) with the jaw bone to provide a solid root system for the natural looking tooth replacement. Replace a single tooth, multiple teeth, or even one or more full arch more comfortably with dental implants.
What can I expect during the procedure?
Dr. Scott Weninger begins with a thorough dental exam. Advanced 2D/3D imaging gives your Tampa dentists information about bone and sinus structure that allows for precise placement of implants. A bone graft may be needed if insufficient bone structure is present to hold the implant until full osseointegration has occurred. Once the titanium alloy rod by BioHorizons is surgically implanted in the jaw, a healing period of three weeks to several months is needed before the root implant is strong enough to handle normal mouth functions.
How long does it take to heal?
Individual patient healing times vary. If a bone graft or sinus augmentation are needed, it will add extra healing time. Underlying medical conditions, bone quality, and tobacco use can add significant time to the healing process.
Once osseointegration is well underway, Dr. Weninger will attach a connector piece called an abutment to the implant. With the abutment in place, new imprints and images are taken to create a natural-looking ceramic crown that matches surrounding teeth in size, shape, and color.
Why is preventing bone loss so important?
Orally, one of the most common causes of bone loss is from missing teeth. When bone is no longer needed to support a tooth, it recedes. Dental implants stimulate bone growth by putting that area of the jawbone back to work as an active part of a person’s bite.
Bone loss can also be the result of gum (periodontal) disease or infection caused by poor dental hygiene habits. Unfortunately, whether the bone loss is due to osteoporosis, gum disease, tooth loss, or poor circulation, the longer you wait to get an implant, the more complicated treatment becomes.
Should I care about the overall success rate of dental implants?
Titanium osseointegrates successfully 95 percent of the time, allowing implants to last at least 10 years. We use BioHorizon’s implants because their titanium alloy is 1.5 to 3.5 times stronger than titanium alone. With proper care, many dentists expect dental implants to last a lifetime.
Improve the success rate of your implant by visiting your Tampa dentist for regular check-ups and cleanings. It is crucial for your dentist to keep an eye on your bite to prevent future damage. If an implant shifts, it can cause damage to the bone and surrounding teeth. Small adjustments to a crown can save you from bigger adjustments down the road.
What benefits do dental implants offer?
Dental implants not only look natural, but they feel natural too. They are often as strong, if not stronger than, the natural teeth they replace. Left untreated, bone loss can ultimately lead to a sunken appearance. Dental implants actually stimulate bone growth, restoring the shape of your mouth and face. Periodic adjustments may be all that is needed for your dental implant to last a lifetime.
Contact the team at Weninger Dentistry to find out if you are a candidate for dental implants.