If you are dissatisfied with the performance of your removable denture or are planning to undergo multiple tooth extractions, now is the right time to consider the many benefits of dental implants. Dental implants are titanium posts that are surgically placed in the jaw. This unique approach to tooth loss allows the prosthetic to be anchored in natural bone.
Dr. Karl Jobst believes that an informed patient is better able to make good decisions about his or her dental needs. To help our patients understand some of the important basics about dental implants, we offer these frequently asked questions.
Why are dental implants necessary?
Dental implants allow patients to replace one or more lost teeth with a stable restoration that functions and feels like a natural tooth. While there are traditional restorations that can replace missing teeth without the need for undergoing implant surgery, only dental implants prevent bone atrophy and allow for a permanent solution to tooth loss.
What is your experience with dental implants?
Many patients turn to Dr. Jobst and the dental team of Grand Lake Dental when seeking the life-changing benefits of dental implants. Dr. Jobst has been through extensive training in dental implantology. He was recently voted “Best Dentist” by readers of area newspapers. Dr. Jobst’s professional experience has shown him that dental implants are the optimal solution for tooth loss. Our patients report that dental implants and implant-retained prosthetics look and feel just like their natural teeth.
How strong are dental implants compared to real teeth?
Dental implants allow patients to resume eating hard and chewy foods. The titanium post that is anchored in the jawbone is, of course, incredibly strong. Titanium is similar to steel in terms of strength. Your implant will either be topped with a porcelain crown (which mimics the strength and wear patterns of enamel) or a denture that is fabricated from durable acrylic resin or a similar material.
What are the pros and cons of dental implants?
The only notable cons to undergoing dental implant placement are the treatment timeline and initial financial investment. It can take three to six months for the implants to naturally fuse with surrounding jawbone tissue through a natural process called osseointegration. Dental implants are an investment in your oral health and quality of life. The initial cost of undergoing implant placement will be made up through decades of restored oral function and the elimination of the need for continual adjustments to a traditional restoration.
The pros of dental implants are numerous. Implants offer superior support, promote bone health, and provide a lifetime of improved speech and chewing function.
Does getting a dental implant hurt?
While implant placement sounds invasive, the surgical procedure is quite mild. Carefully placed anesthesia will prevent you from experiencing pain. We even offer sedation options that can put you in a dream-like state while Dr. Jobst performed the 20-minute procedure. The process will take longer for an All-On-Four procedure or to place multiple implants.
Are titanium dental implants safe?
Titanium is the dental implant base material of choice for dentists across the world. The material is biocompatible, meaning it does not interact with your body. Unlike other metals, titanium will not oxidize, erode, or degrade over the course of your life.
Who needs dental implants treatment?
Anyone who has suffered the loss of one or more teeth may be a candidate for dental implant placement. If you recently lost a tooth or require a tooth extraction, having a dental implant placed can prevent jawbone atrophy. Tooth roots act as stimulators that promote bone growth. Following the removal of your tooth, Dr. Jobst can place a dental implant that can preserve the health and integrity of your jawbone.
Are dental implants safe?
Dental implants are incredibly safe. One way to lower your risk of complications or side effects is to work with a qualified doctor who has many years of experience. Dr. Jobst graduated from dental school in 1998 and has practiced dentistry since then.
The National Institute of Health found that “Implant studies frequently report [successful] outcome rates exceeding 95 percent. Recent advancements in the field of dentistry have revolutionized the use of dental implants.”
How often will I need to have my dental implants checked?
Maintaining the health of your implants is important. You will be given details about how to clean the areas around your implants, which may include using a special type of floss that can clean beneath a crown. For the most part, maintaining your implant simply requires good oral hygiene habits and twice-a-year visits to our office for cleanings and exams.
What are the benefits of dental implants?
If you have used a removable denture, you understand that some restorations are prone to slipping. Dental implants offer the same level of stability as natural teeth because your restoration will be anchored directly to the jawbone. Traditional restorations do not prevent jawbone atrophy. Once your implants are placed by Dr. Jobst, the titanium posts will ensure that your bone remains strong and healthy.
Do dental implants work like real teeth?
Dental implants are the only tooth loss solution that restores natural oral function. No other form of restoration allows a crown, bridge, or denture to be supported by the jawbone itself. Titanium implants replace lost tooth roots while a dental crown functions like missing tooth.
How many teeth can be replaced with dental implants?
Individuals who are missing a single tooth can benefit from the placement of one implant and one crown. The loss of several consecutive teeth can be addressed through the placement of one or more dental implants and an implant-retained bridge. If you have suffered from significant tooth loss, an implant-retained partial or full denture can be placed at our dental practice.
Are dental implants a permanent solution for tooth loss?
Dental implants are designed and intended to last for a lifetime. While the restoration that attaches to the implant may need to be adjusted or replaced at some point, the implant post fuses to the surrounding jawbone tissue and becomes a functioning part of the jaw.
Dental bridge or dental implant, which is the best for me?
A traditional bridge can be fitted at our office in as few as two visits. The treatment timeline for this traditional restoration is shorter than dental implant treatments. Having a dental bridge placed requires that the adjacent teeth are prepared. This permanently alters the shape of healthy teeth. If you wish to preserve the structure of your natural teeth, a dental implant may be a better option.
Tell me how to care for dental implants
For the most part, caring for your dental implants simply requires following good oral hygiene habits and visiting our office twice a year for checkups and cleanings. You will be given instructions on how to use special cleaning devices to remove plaque from under your prosthetic and around your implant. Maintaining healthy gums and bone structure is one important step that can ensure that your implant lasts for a lifetime.