Dental Implants FAQ
Portland, OR
Tooth loss is a serious issue that affects every aspect of your life. When you lose teeth, basic tasks like eating and speaking become more challenging. Your smile suffers. Tooth loss also impacts the health of your jawbone, leading to bone loss. Replacing missing teeth is essential. At Portland City Dental, we can replace your missing teeth with dental implants.
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are a treatment used for replacing missing teeth. They are a modern option, providing a unique alternative to traditional bridges and dentures. While the concept of dental implants has been around for thousands of years, modern dental implants are the result of an accidental discovery made in the 1950’s. During this time a Swedish orthopedic surgeon by the name of Per-Ingvar Brånemark was researching bone healing and regeneration when he discovered that bone fused to titanium. This caused him to conduct further research, eventually leading to the development of dental implants. Over the years, implants have undergone numerous developments, greatly improving their stability and success.
Dental implants consist of small titanium posts that are surgically placed into your jawbone. As you heal, your jawbone gradually fuses to the posts in a natural process called osseointegration. This process turns the posts into stable roots that provide incredible support for your replacement teeth.
Different Types of Dental Implants
Dental implants are incredibly versatile. They can be used to replace a single tooth, multiple teeth, or an entire arch of teeth. There are many different types of implants that are designed to meet many different needs.
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Single tooth implants. A single tooth implant is designed to provide replacement for an individual tooth. A single post provides support for a single crown.
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Multiple teeth implants. Also called an implant supported bridge, this type of restoration replaces two or more teeth in a row. The number of posts used is dependent upon several factors, including how many teeth you are missing and the condition of your jawbone.
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Full arch restorations. This type of restoration is commonly referred to as an implant supported denture. Typically, six to eight implants are placed in your jawbone to provide support for an entire arch of replacement teeth.
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The All-on-4® |
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Treatment Concept. All-on-4 is a type of full arch restoration that is used when your jawbone is too weak to support six to eight implant posts. Using four strategically placed posts, this treatment helps to avoid the need for a bone graft. |
What Are the Benefits of Dental Implants?
Dental implants provide several significant long term benefits.
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The crowns perfectly mimic the color and light reflection properties of your natural teeth, helping to perfectly restore the beauty of your smile.
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Implants function and feel exactly like your natural teeth. You can bite and chew normally again, which restores your digestion and nutrition. Your speech is also perfectly restored.
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Implants are much more comfortable than traditional restorations. Your teeth are supported by the posts, which are supported by your jawbone. There is no pressure on your gums or your adjacent teeth.
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You can brush and floss your dental implants just like your natural teeth.
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The posts of your dental implants restore stimulation to your jawbone, which aids in stopping and preventing bone loss in your jaw. This preserves the strength of your jawbone and maintains your facial shape. It also means that your implants do not need to be replaced every few years like dentures or bridges. |
Are There Any Drawbacks to Dental Implants?
While dental implants do provide several significant long term benefits, there are also a few drawbacks as well.
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In order to receive dental implants, a surgical procedure is required.
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Following surgery, there is a recovery period. This can mean several weeks to several months of recovery.
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If you do not have enough bone mass in your jaw, you may require a bone graft first. |
Dental implants provide a unique treatment for replacing missing teeth, offering an incredible alternative to traditional bridges and dentures. For more information, and to find out if dental implants are the right solution for you, call Portland City Dental at (503) 256-7917 today.
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