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Questions about Dental Implants

Chicago and Glenview, Illinois

What are dental implants?
Dental implants are artificial tooth root replacements. They can be inserted into the upper or lower jaw to permanently restore missing tooth roots. Dental implants with porcelain teeth are quickly becoming the alternative to dentures and bridges due to their strength and durability.

Implants can:

• Anchor porcelain teeth to replace missing teeth
• Support and stabilize dentures or fixed bridge work
• Reduce movement of dentures, bridges, and/or crowns that are beginning to fit improperly
• Reduce irritation to the gum tissue associated with dentures

What types of implants are there?

• Root-form – Also called endosseous or endosteal implants because they are placed directly into the jaw bone. They are made of titanium, which makes them strong and corrosion resistant.
• Plate-form – Made of a rectangle of metal with prongs, these are placed vertically in the jaw to provide a place for the artificial tooth to fit into.
• Transosseous – This configuration is rarely used, and only fits along the lower jaw. They are bolted into the jawbone to extend along the entire lower half of the mouth.
• Sub-Periosteal – Commonly used if you don’t have enough bone in the jaw to support root-form implants. These are placed over the jaw rather than in it.
• Ramus-Frame – Placed in the jaw near the chin and at the back of the mouth. They are commonly used if you have a thin lower jawbone. Dentures are made to fit on a thin metal bar.

What is the procedure like?

1. The implant is placed in the jawbone. To allow bone tissue to grow closely around it, and integrate it into your jawbone, several months must pass before the next step. This will make the implant very sturdy and acts as your new tooth root.
2. A small piece, called an abutment, is added to the top of the implant. It is partly above and below the gum tissue and will hold the new tooth. This step takes only a couple of weeks to recover from as the gums heal around the abutment.
3. A porcelain tooth that matches the shade of your other teeth is attached to the abutment, and will look as natural as your other teeth.

Am I a candidate for dental implants?

If you are in good general and oral health, you may be a candidate. You must also have adequate bone in your jaw to hold the implant. You will be evaluated to see if you have adequate bone.

What are the benefits of dental implants over dentures and bridges?

• Esthetic – The attached porcelain teeth look and feel like your own teeth. Because the implant integrates into the structure of your jawbone, they prevent the gum recession and bone loss that results from a missing tooth root. This maintains your facial shape and jawline.
• Confidence – You will be able to speak and eat with comfort and confidence. They are much more secure than dentures, and you won’t have to deal with messy pastes and glues.
• Tooth-saving – Dental implants leave more of your own teeth untouched, which adds to the overall quality of your oral health. A bridge requires enamel to be removed from healthy teeth, so they can support the bridge.
• Reliable – Dental implants have a high success rate and are an excellent option for tooth replacement.

If you would like to know more about how dental implants can improve your oral health, please contact the Colonial Dental Group to set up an initial consultation.