With complex treatments such as dental implants, Gentle Dental Service brings you a team of dental professionals who are skilled at providing excellent results. It is our goal to meet your expectations of a better smile.
What is a dental implant?
Tooth implants are substitutes for missing teeth. They are made of medical grade titanium and are designed to encourage bone formation. A typical implant is made of the following three components:
• The Fixture is the part of the implant that is embedded in and becomes fused with the jawbone. It is the portion that lies below the gum line and for all practical purposes can be considered to be an artificial root.
• The Abutment is the portion of a tooth implant that lies at and above the gum line. It is the part that supports and secures the dental work (crown, bridge, denture) that is placed on it.
• The Dental Prosthesis refers to the dental work that sits on top of the abutment. Depending upon its design, it may be cemented or screwed (i.e. crowns, bridgework), or else clipped or snapped (i.e. dentures), into place. It looks and functions like a real tooth.
Who is a candidate for dental implants?
Once a decision has been made that dental implants will be considered as a treatment option, the dentist must make a determination about the patient's suitability for them. Factors that must be evaluated include: The patient's health (medical conditions, medicines, age), patient habits (smoking, tooth grinding, poor oral hygiene), jawbone quantity and quality.
Why is it important to replace missing teeth?
Aside from the obvious effects that missing teeth can have on personal appearance, there are other more serious consequences. When a tooth is lost, space is created and bone loss occurs. Normal oral pressures and stress can cause the remaining teeth to shift. This shift can cause healthy straight teeth to tilt and become unstable. This can lead to even more bone and tooth loss. Furthermore missing teeth can cause a drastic reduction in chewing efficiency. Dental implants fill in the space of lost teeth. They preserve the supporting bone and stabilize your remaining teeth. You can chew on them just like normal teeth.
How successful are dental implants?
Research and documentation studies have proven the effectiveness and long lasting results of dental implants. Dental implants have demonstrated a success rate of over 95%. Good oral hygiene and regular dental checkups are some of the most critical factors to ensure the health of your dental implants. Gentle Dental Service will monitor and instruct you on the proper home care procedures to keep your dental implants and remaining teeth as healthy and clean as possible.