What are the Options for Replacing My Missing Teeth?
Joel & Mel's Implant Story
How it works: The implantation process
First, one of our dentist in GA will meet with you to determine if implants will satisfy your needs. An exam of your mouth will be conducted, which includes taking and going over your x-rays, and ensuring your jaw is healthy enough to undergo the procedure. If alternative restorative options are more appropriate, we will let you know. The dentist will devise a detailed treatment plan for next steps.
Once you’re approved for surgery, we’ll schedule your appointment. During the actual procedure, a small opening will be made in your gums and a small, screw-shaped implant is placed into the jawbone. The area is cleaned and disinfected before being sutured shut.
After the implants are installed, your gums will start to heal right away. Most patients heal from their initial surgery in less than two weeks. However, the implant itself needs more time to permanently bond with the bone of the jaw through a osseointegration, a process that can take between 3-6 months.
During the osseoinegration period, we’ll have you come in for a few follow-up session to ensure everything is going smoothly. Our dentist will also examine your mouth and take digital impressions or scans. These scans are sent to our trusted dental lab, where they help craft a custom restoration (crown, bridge, or partial denture) that will be fitted on top of your implant.
Once the over prosthetic is created, and your implant has fully bonded with the jaw, we’ll have you come back to our office one last time. The restoration is attached to the implant, and is permanently secured with dental adhesive.
The biggest benefit of getting dental implants in GA is they don’t require any special care. Practice good oral hygiene (brush at least twice a day and floss daily) and attend regular cleanings and exams. Doing this can help your implants last for many years.
Single Tooth Implants
A single tooth implant is the most common type of implant provided to patients, and consist of two smaller components: the screw and a dental crown, which is tooth-shaped cap that sits on top. An abutment or small connecting piece helps keep these two parts attached. Made from biocompatible, durable materials, single-tooth implant will never shift, or move around.
Full-Arch Implants
Full-Arch implants, sometimes referred to as All-on-4 or All-on-X implants, utilizes a series of dental implants to secure a fixed bridge. Depending on your bone density, your doctor will place 4-6 implants in your mouth that will anchor a permanent prosthetic that cannot be removed.
Mini Implants
A scaled-down version of regular dental implants, mini implants are about half the size of their traditional counterparts. They can be used to restore a single tooth or several, but mini implants are most often used to anchor a set of implant-supported dentures in the lower jaw.Their smaller size makes the placement process for mini implants less invasive than traditional implants. Another advantage of their small size is that mini implants can often still be placed in your jaw even if it has been weakened by bone resorption after tooth loss.
Implant-Retained Dentures
Implant-retained dentures, sometimes referred to as overdentures or snap-on dentures, are just like traditional dentures, but they are secured in place with 2-4 dental implants. These dentures are made from a combination of acrylic and metal materials for added support and durability. The upper arch will ideally be supported by 4 implants, however in some cases, 2 implants may be enough.
All-On-4
All-on-4 (sometimes referred to as All-on-X implants, depending on the number of implants placed) utilizes a series of dental implants to secure a fixed bridge. Depending on your bone density, your doctor will place 4 implants in your mouth that will anchor a permanent prosthetic that cannot be removed.
Have Questions About Dental Implants?
Find answers here.
Dental implants are customized to fit the dimensions of a patient’s oral cavity. Therefore, a range of screw sizes are available to ensure the implant fits perfectly. As for the restoration, this is also custom-made via impressions or scans of your teeth and gums. Either in our office or at an outside lab (depending on the case) the impressions are used to craft your unique restoration. Most are made from porcelain or composite material. Once it’s ready, you’ll be scheduled back for the restoration to be delivered.
If placed properly and maintained with good hygiene habits, implants can last for several decades. In fact, most patients keep their implants for the rest of their lives.
That said, the restoration may not last quite as long. Despite being made from durable materials, they are still vulnerable to regular wear and tear. It will likely require replacement to help keep your smile functional.
Although it’s rare, dental implants may become infected. This is known as peri-implantitis, a condition that’s often the result of poor hygiene and improper implant care after surgery.
To prevent this from occuring, prioritize your oral health, follow our staff’s instructions during the recovery period, and brush and floss regularly.
Yes, they will! Bone loss occurs when the jaw is no longer stimulated by the pressure that comes from regular chewing and biting. Losing a tooth stops this regular stimulation, therefore weakening the jawbone over time.
Dental implants bond directly with the bone material of the jaw, acting as artificial roots that transmit the natural pressures associated with biting and chewing to the jaw, stimulating the bone, and preventing the loss of bone density.
Several types of implants can be completed in one visit. The restoration is a temporary appliance that’s provided until your mouth has finished healing from the initial placement surgery. This allows you to speak and eat normally as your mouth heals.
Furthermore, the healing process tends to last 3-6 months from the placement date. We’ll schedule a series of follow-up sessions to keep track of your progress and to take impressions or scans. These impressions ensure a permanent restoration that’s durable, natural-looking, and fits you without issue.