For the last couple posts, we’ve been talking a lot about dental implants: how they’re different from conventional solutions for missing teeth (dental bridges and dentures), and what makes a good candidate for dental implants (i.e. an adult who is in good oral and general health and able to tolerate general anesthesia).
Edgewood Dental has the dental implant solutions to fit the needs of virtually anyone with missing teeth. If you’re in the Edgewood, KY area (or anywhere in the Northern KY Metroplex) and you’ve been plagued by the emotional and physical trauma caused by lost teeth, we can give you back your smile: for your best look and your best oral health.
What Kind of Dental Implants Does Edgewood Dental Offer?
We have three dental implant solutions; deciding which one is right for you depends on the number of teeth missing, the condition of your oral and general health, and your dentist’s recommendation. We also offer bridges and dentures for patients who aren’t able to receive dental implants, but still need to replace lost teeth.
Conventional Implants
If there aren’t any irreparable problems with your oral health, and your jaw has sufficient bone density, most likely the best solution for you is a conventional dental implant.
These are the “original” type of implant; other types of implants are suited for more specific needs, but they are based on the same design as conventional implants.
A dental implant has three components:
The Crown
The crown is the visible part of the implant, and the part of the implant that does the main job of a tooth: grinding and chewing food, and keeping the alignment of the jaw and “neighbor teeth” in proper position. The crowns we provide are made of porcelain: a form of ceramic that is commonly used in dental restorations. Porcelain is ideal, because it is highly durable, easy to keep clean, and it looks exactly like your natural teeth.
The Abutment
In a dental bridge, the abutment, or abutment teeth, are those teeth on either side of the gap created by a missing tooth (or teeth) that provide support for the bridge and hold the artificial tooth in place. In a dental implant, an abutment is the “connector piece” that holds the entire implant together. Abutment types vary: the abutment in your implant might hold the implant together with a powerful adhesive, or by using mechanical means (the implant’s parts are more or less screwed together).
The Anchor
The anchor is the part of the implant that is embedded in your jawbone and gum tissues. It is threaded like a screw (this facilitates a strong hold) and is usually made out of titanium. Titanium is used for two reasons: one, titanium is very strong and lightweight, and two, titanium is biocompatible. A biocompatible material is easily tolerated by your body, so there is no chance of rejection by your immune system. Biocompatibility is also important to keeping the anchor (and the whole implant) firmly in place. When a dental implant is installed, the hold is very strong, but over time the hold gets even stronger as the implant and the surrounding bone actually merge, through a process called osseointegration (literally “integration with the bone”). Osseointegration is what ensures the long term success of a dental implant, and is the reason why bone density is so important if you’re considering dental implants.
Mini Dental Implants
Mini dental implants are suitable for those who have narrow jaws, or for those who may not have enough bone density to support a conventional implant. They are also useful if the tooth you’re missing is smaller (such as a canine). Mini dental implants differ slightly from conventional implants. First of all, they are much smaller than conventional dental implants; they also don’t usually have the screw-like threading that conventional dental implants have. Mini dental implants may also be a more cost effective treatment.
All-on-four Dental Implants
If you’re missing a large number of teeth, or you have a lot of teeth that are damaged beyond the point of repair, all-on-four dental implants are a good option.
Whereas a conventional implant (or mini implant) replaces one tooth at a time, all-on-four dental implants can replace multiple teeth, or even all of them. All-on-four refers to the configuration of four implants that support many artificial teeth, up to a full arch of teeth (an arch is a row of teeth), depending on the severity of your case.
Improving Your Smile Improves Your Quality of Life!
Dental implants aren’t for everyone, and it is a relatively intensive surgical procedure. However, it’s all worth it when we see the look on a patient’s face when they see their new smile for the first time.
Are missing teeth holding you back from reaching your fullest potential? Dental implants are a life-changing solution that will free you from pain and end the embarrassment of an unattractive, gap-filled smile.
Call us now! The longer you wait, the worse your situation will become. If you’re a new patient, we work to get you in the chair within a week of your call.
Dial 859-474-7830 today to reach the Edgewood Dental Team today!