Missing teeth affect the way you eat, alter your facial appearance, and can cause other dental conditions. To prevent these issues, dental implants can be recommended.
Dental implants are one of the fixed tooth replacement procedures available and are an efficient way to permanently restore your oral functions and improve your smile.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are made of titanium which is the same material used for hip and knee replacements. These dental implants are proven to be a safe and effective replacement for one or more missing teeth.
Dental implants are surgically inserted into the patient’s bone. They support fixed or removable prosthetic teeth such as single tooth crowns, multiple tooth bridges, and fixed or removable dentures. Dr. Wang and the dental laboratory will collaborate to match the crown to your existing teeth to provide a restoration that looks, feels, and functions similar to a natural tooth. Dental implants can give you a more natural smile while also restoring your oral functions.
What Are the Benefits of Dental Implants?
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- Dental implants are natural, comfortable, and resemble natural dentition.
- Implants are a permanent tooth replacement option; thus, they do not need to be removed daily to be cleaned like removable denture.
- They help restore your ability to chew and lower your risk of developing dental issues associated with missing teeth.
- When replacing a single missing tooth, dental implants make it easy to maintain your oral hygiene.
- By doing single tooth implants, natural teeth in good shape adjacent to the missing tooth are left untouched and do not need to be trimmed down for holding a 3 tooth bridge to replace the one tooth.
- Implant supported dentures –If you are missing more than one tooth, a few implants placed in the proper position can support a denture that is securely attached to your jaw.
- Bridges – Implant supported bridges can be used when 3 or more teeth are missing by the surgical placement of a few implants for ideal support of the bridge. A dental bridge consists of a series of artificial teeth (where there are no implants needed) that are fused together and fused to the crowns placed on those implants.
- This spares healthy teeth from needing to be trimmed back to hold crowns that support a bridge.
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What is the Procedure for Inserting Dental Implants
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- When you visit our office, Dr. Wang will create an individualized treatment plan after assessing your concerns. Depending on the desired location of the future implant a 3-D CT scan may be required to better visualize the area.
- A small titanium implant is inserted into the bone socket of your missing tooth by an oral surgeon or a periodontist (gum surgeon).
- The implant site will usually heal after only 3-4 months.
- After the implant has integrated fully with your bone, Dr. Wang will place a connecting piece known as an abutment on top of the implant. This piece will hold the prosthetic tooth in place. This would be a single crown if replacing just one tooth.
- The visible part of the implant or the crown will be fabricated based on an impression or scan of your natural teeth along with the attached abutment.
- At your final appointment, the crown (for a single tooth) is either screwed or permanently cemented in place.
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Please call Dr. Wang at Jonathan C Wang DDS, inc. in Pleasanton, CA at (925) 399-6835 or request an appointment online.