Whether you are missing one tooth or a full set of teeth, dental implants offer a permanent solution to tooth replacement. For those looking for Phoenix oral surgeons, the professionals at Oral & Facial Surgeons of Arizona welcome you to schedule your next appointment with one of our highly specialized oral and facial surgeons.
Dental Implants for Single or Multiple Tooth Replacement
Dental implants are a fantastic treatment for missing teeth. Dental implants offer a permanent, natural feeling and looking solution to replacing teeth lost by damage or injury. Dental implants are surgically placed titanium posts. These metal posts are implanted in the jawbone, specifically in the empty tooth socket. As the bone heals, a permanent bond is formed between the titanium post and bone tissue. This bond allows dental implants to function like a natural tooth root. Once the bone has healed, one of three dental restorations can be attached to the dental implant or implants. The type of restoration depends on the amount of teeth missing and your specific needs.
Dental restorations include:
- Dental Crowns: Dental crowns are used in conjunction with dental implants when replacing individual teeth. Generally, implant-supported dental crowns are used when only one or two teeth need replacing. Even a full set of teeth can be replaced with individual dental implants and crowns, however, this is costly in both time and money.
- Implant-supported Bridges: Implant-supported dental bridges are another option in tooth replacement. Implant-supported bridges are best suited to situations requiring two or more missing teeth. Implant-supported bridges work by anchoring the prosthetic piece to one dental implant and one natural tooth or to two dental implants, one on each end of the bridge.
- Implant-supported Dentures: For those missing a full set of teeth or just the top or bottom teeth, implant-supported dentures are a wonderful solution. Implant-supported dentures use three to five dental implants to anchor a set of dentures to the jaw. The dentures attach via a metal bar or studs, which allow the dentures to be removed for cleaning while maintaining a secure fit during daily activities. With implant-supported dentures, you can eat your favorite foods without the need for messy adhesives or the fear of your teeth slipping and falling out. Implant-supported dentures not only restore the function of your teeth, they also restore your confidence in knowing your teeth will stay in place.
Find Out If You’re a Candidate for Dental Implants
For our patients in Phoenix, dental implants are a favored solution for permanent tooth replacement. Because dental implants require patients to undergo oral surgery for placement, not all patients are good candidates for treatment. Candidates for dental implants should have generally healthy teeth and gums and be healthy enough for surgery. Candidates must also have sufficient jawbone in order for the dental implant procedure to be successful. If there is not sufficient jawbone , bone grafts may be done to rebuild the jaw. To find out if you’re a candidate for dental implants, we welcome you to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced surgeons.