Your Smile, Your Way – Customized Solutions Through Dental Implants

Dental implants certainly aren’t a new concept. Evidence dating from as early as 2000 BC shows that carved bamboo pegs were tapped into the jawbone to replace missing teeth at this time. Fortunately, technology and materials have advanced since then, and dental implants have rapidly become the go-to solution to replace missing or damaged teeth.

Today’s dental implants are without a doubt, the best option for replacing lost or damaged teeth, and have given many patients missing teeth or struggling with uncomfortable dentures, a new chance to achieve the smile of their dreams. Dental implants are a standalone solution that, unlike other tooth replacement methods, do not compromise or damage surrounding teeth.

Understanding dental implants

Dental implants are like invisible anchors for the teeth. They are small titanium (sometimes zirconia) posts surgically embedded into your jawbone to act as replacement tooth roots for missing teeth. Once they have fused with the surrounding tissues in a natural process known as osseointegration they become a permanent fixture in the mouth. Implants provide a strong platform that can support artificial teeth, such as crowns, bridges and dentures, allowing them to function and feel just like natural teeth. One of the best things about dental implants is they are incredibly versatile and can be tailored to a patient’s unique needs.

So, without further ado let’s discover how they offer personalized solutions that can give you the beautiful and functional smile you deserve.

Personalized treatment plans

Your smile is as unique as you are, which is why dental implant treatments are customized to fit your individual requirements. During an initial implant consultation, our dentist will thoroughly examine your oral health, take a CT scan, and discuss your goals. This helps her design a treatment plan that aligns with your needs.

If you’re missing multiple teeth you may be wondering whether you need to replace each tooth with a dental implant on a one-by-one basis. The answer thankfully is no, since replacing every tooth with an implant would be extremely costly and time-consuming. Let’s look at the number of dental implants required to replace one, multiple, and all of the teeth.

I just want to replace a single tooth

In this case, our Chesterfield dentist will place a single implant into the jawbone. Once the implant has integrated with the surrounding tissues, a crown will be placed on top to replace the visible portion of the lost tooth. A single implant can also replace two missing adjacent teeth. As soon as the implant has stabilized in the jaw it can support a two-unit restoration. One unit will be a dental crown and the other will be an artificial tooth attached to it.

What if I’m missing three or more teeth in a row?

In this example, It’s possible to use as few as two implants to replace all of the lost teeth. Our dentist will place one dental implant at each end of the gap. The implants will support crowns and in turn, the crowns will support a bridge made up of 1 to 3 artificial teeth between them. So, in total, two dental implants can replace up to 5 missing teeth.

Help, I’ve lost all my teeth!

For patients missing all of their teeth in a single arch, our dentist may be able to replace them with just four dental implants using a process known as ‘All-on-4’. As the name suggests, four dental implants are placed at strategic locations to support an arch of prosthetic teeth (dentures). Two implants will be placed at the front of the mouth and the other two will be angled toward the back of the mouth, where the bone is more dense. Patients requiring more stability may require six implants.

All of our dental crowns are carefully designed to match your remaining teeth in terms of shape, size and color, for a natural look and we know you’ll be delighted with the results.

Benefits beyond the smile

Dental implants offer more than a beautiful smile. Their key benefits include:

• Preservation of the jawbone – Implants stimulate the jawbone preventing further bone loss and maintaining the shape of your face
• Enhanced functionality – Since dental implants are almost as strong as natural teeth, you can eat all the foods you enjoy without restriction.
• Convenience – Because implants are fitted into the jawbone, they’re as easy to clean and maintain as natural teeth with brushing, flossing, and regular dental checks.
• Longevity – Studies have shown a 90-95% success rate over ten years but with good care, dental implants can last significantly longer.
• Improved confidence – Dental implants let you smile confidently without worrying about unsightly gaps.

Final Thoughts

Your smile is a reflection of your personality and confidence. With customized dental implant solutions, you have the power to regain a smile that feels natural, functions seamlessly, and radiates self-confidence. Remember, each smile is unique and dental implants can be tailored to meet your specific needs, ensuring your smile remains yours – only better!

If you’re interested in exploring the world of dental implants further, don’t hesitate to schedule a free dental implant consultation with Dr. Melba Akinwande at Chesterfield Dentistry. Together we can embark on a journey to transform your smile and your life. Call us today at 314-936-3621.

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