Jan
If you are embarrassed by gaps in your smile or are unhappy with how your old dentures feel, implants from Pleasant Dental® in Dolton, Illinois, may be in your future.
Implants are slim little pieces of (usually) metal that are highly compatible with the bone. Your dentist will work with an expert surgeon to coordinate treatment. The surgeon will do the heavy lifting with the actual placement of the implant. Once the implant has been placed, the bone around it will eventually fuse to it. That is where we come in. We add the “finishing touch” by attaching the restoration (crown, bridge, denture) to the implant.
Once the restoration is connected, the implant functions like a natural root. It holds the restoration in place. Because the jaw continues to get stimulation from the crown that is attached to it, the process of resorption (bone loss) is avoided or stopped. When bone shrinks, it causes all sorts of functional and aesthetic problems. The loss of structure in the face can alter your facial shape and overall appearance. Plus, this destructive process can hasten difficulties with chewing, speech, and other functions.
A single tooth may be replaced with one implant and a dental crown. Or, a few implants can be used to replace several teeth as part of an implant-supported dental bridge or denture. Today we use a minimal number of implants to stabilize a maximal number of replacement teeth in an upper or lower denture. The design of these implant dentures helps to minimize the amount of time spent in treatment, as well as the total cost of treatment.
So, implants may be an attractive and long-lasting solution for many patients. Some may even be good candidates to have their existing dentures “retrofitted” with implants. The difference is in the design. Implants help to replicate the structure of natural teeth. This fundamental characteristic of implants for tooth replacement supports a natural feel in the mouth, as well as a natural appearance and function.
We are happy to discuss everything from conventional bridges and dentures to modern methods like implant-retained crowns and “overdentures.” Call Pleasant Dental® in Dolton, IL, at (708) 576-1900 today.