Feeling self-conscious about your smile? We’re here to help. For patients with missing or broken teeth, dental implants from the team at Caring Family Dental are an excellent solution to give you the full smile you can be proud of. Here’s everything you need to know about dental implants so you can get the treatment you deserve.
All About Dental Implants
Many people choose dental implants at Caring Family Dental because they provide a high-quality, long-lasting solution to missing teeth. With these tools, you’ll achieve a beautiful, top-of-the-line result and carefree function that can last for the rest of your life!
At the root of it, a dental implant is a device made up of three parts: the body, the abutment, and the crown.
Body
The body of the implant is like the root of a natural tooth — it anchors the implant to your jaw for a firm and permanent hold.
Abutment
The abutment is a connective piece that unites the body to the crown.
Crown
The crown is the top section that looks and functions like a natural tooth, allowing you to chew your food and grin for pictures without a care.
There are multiple uses for dental implants, including replacing a single missing tooth, replacing multiple missing teeth with a bridge, or replacing all teeth using bridges or dentures.
Bridge – A bridge is a crown that replaces a tooth by connecting to the surrounding implants rather than to your jawbone with a new root.
Dentures – Dentures are removable prosthetics that can replace an entire set of adult teeth.
Am I a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?
Dental implants are an excellent orthodontic treatment option for patients with one of several different orthodontic issues. You may benefit from implants if you have a broken, cracked, or decaying tooth. If you’re struggling with crowns that just won’t stay in place, or if you already have partial or full dentures, you may also benefit from implants. If you fit in any of these categories, Dr. Sheffler, Dr. Teixeira, and Dr. Gittleman are here to help you get the beautiful smile you deserve.
Like any treatment, not every patient in Concord is a good candidate for dental implants. If the bones in your jaw are too thin to support an implant, you may need to opt for another treatment method or have a bone graft procedure to make the implant possible.
Before we proceed with treatment, however, we’ll conduct a thorough smile evaluation to determine if implants are right for you. These evaluations may include X-rays and CT scans to check the bone density and to look at oral hygiene, tissues, personal habits, and your commitment to care for your oral health after treatment.
Our Process
A dental implant is a “root” device, usually made of titanium that our team at Caring Family Dentistry surgically inserts into the jawbone where the root of your original tooth would have been.
Once the surgery is complete, we’ll wait for the implant to fuse with your jawbone. This is an automatic process that will make your new tooth feel just like the old one — or even better! After the implant is fused, it’s time for us to attach the crown, bridge, or denture to the new root.
Post-Op Care
Following your dental implant surgery, you’ll have to follow our step-by-step instructions to make sure your new smile stands the test of time. Soft foods will be your best friend in the weeks following your procedure. Be sure to eat even if you aren’t hungry so that your body has the fuel to heal.
How to Care For Your Implants
Maintain Good Oral Hygiene – Keeping up with a healthy routine of brushing twice a day and flossing daily can help clean around your implant. Try interdental brushes to clean between teeth.
Quit Smoking – Smoking can weaken your bone structure which can loosen your dental implant.
Avoid Tough or Chewy Foods – Chewing on food items like ice or hard candy is detrimental to artificial teeth and can cause breakage.
Attend Dental Check-Ups – Teeth cleanings and exams are important. Visiting your dentist regularly will ensure your implants stay in good condition.
Find the Right Dentist – Having the right dentist help you through the dental implant process is essential. Our doctors are the experts for you!
Your Choice for a Happy Smile
When it comes to taking care of your smile, Caring Family Dental is the qualified team of experts you need to steer you in the right direction. From regular cleanings to dental implants, we have what it takes to help you maintain your oral health, so you feel confident in your grin. Schedule your next appointment in Concord today.