Missing teeth may have many more consequences than you might imagine. The way we eat, talk, and even think about our dental health can all be influenced by tooth loss. At Azure Dental, our focus is on helping you regain full oral health in a way that is comfortable and functional. No matter if you are missing one, several, or all your teeth, dental implant solutions can serve as a long-term option that closely resembles the look and function of your natural teeth.
Each patient has a unique treatment need and plan. For this reason, every implant treatment starts with a thorough evaluation and comprehensive treatment plan. Dr. Aditi Shah and the team will review your oral health, bone quality, and treatment goals in order to provide you with the most suitable option for your specific needs. Patients here in Colleyville, TX know just how important customized treatment plans can be for their long-term dental health.
The Different Types Of Implant Restorations
Since dental implants are an adaptable tooth replacement option, they can be used to replace anywhere from one tooth to an entire row of teeth. As an artificial tooth root, implants are placed within the jaw, and a custom restoration is then placed on top of the implant, under the gum tissue.
The type of restoration you require will depend on the number of teeth being replaced. Many patients benefit from having just one implant used to replace one tooth; other patients require a multiple-tooth option, such as an implant-supported bridge; and some patients will require a full-arch implant restoration to replace an entire arch of teeth. Understanding the different restorations is a great first step toward figuring out which option you should select for your dental treatment.
At Azure Dental, we work to help you understand the pros and cons of each type of restoration so you can make the choice that will best serve your oral health and your smile.
Single-Tooth Implant Restorations
A single missing tooth can be replaced with a dental implant, without compromising neighboring teeth. A titanium implant will be placed into the jaw and restored with a customized crown once healing is complete. This crown will appear and feel just like your remaining natural teeth.
Because of its independence, single-tooth dental implants serve as one of the most preferred options for replacing a tooth. A dental crown can be placed on the implant without any alteration to the surrounding teeth. This means that neighboring healthy teeth can remain as they are, preserving as much natural tooth structure as possible.
Single-tooth implants are usually recommended for teeth that have been removed due to trauma, decay, fractures, or extractions. Because the result is a stable and durable tooth replacement, it should function well during biting, chewing, and speaking.
Multiple-Tooth Implant Restorations
With the help of implants, patients who are missing several teeth are also able to benefit from a secure and stable implant solution. While implants can be placed to replace each tooth missing from the mouth, there are fewer implants that are needed in order to support an implant-supported bridge used to replace multiple missing teeth.
This treatment option serves to restore both chewing function and esthetics while requiring a reduced number of implants. Implant-supported bridges may also help stimulate the jawbone and minimize bone loss that may occur from missing teeth.
Multiple-tooth restorations are preferred by those with missing teeth for the secure stability they offer, compared with a removable prosthetic. You can feel confident with how a bridge will function and appear during your everyday activities, whether eating or smiling.
Full-Arch Implant Restorations
If you are missing most, if not all, of your teeth in an upper or lower arch, you may be an excellent candidate for a full-arch implant restoration. These full-mouth restorations are a series of implants that can be placed in your jaw to help support an entire arch of prosthetic replacement teeth.
While dentures are removable, a full arch solution is permanently anchored to dental implants, which can help significantly increase chewing capacity and comfort, in addition to providing additional stability. These restorations are often an ideal option for patients who are dissatisfied with conventional removable dentures or are struggling with the stability and fit of these devices. During your initial exam, we can evaluate your candidacy for these restorations and discuss whether they may be right for your case.
Benefits Of Dental Implants
Dental implants have a variety of advantages and benefits over traditional tooth-replacement options. Since the implant itself acts as a root for the prosthetic, it also helps support the jawbone. Some of the potential benefits of a dental implant restoration include:
- An improved ability to chew compared to many other tooth-replacement options
- Protection of your remaining teeth, as well as prevention of bone loss
- A restoration that looks natural and aesthetically pleasing to the human eye
- Long-lasting, reliable results
- A customized plan that is tailored to your individual needs and oral-health history
These benefits are some of the reasons why implants are among the most versatile tooth-replacement options available.
The Implant Placement Procedure
As with all other restorative treatments, there is an extensive examination process that must take place in order to ensure that dental implants are suitable for your needs. During your consultation, Dr. Aditi Shah will evaluate your case, potentially including digital imaging of your remaining bone and gums. This will allow your implant dentist to determine the number of dental implants that are needed as well as the kind of prosthesis that will achieve the best overall outcome for you.
Depending on the state of your current bone structure, you may also need other preparatory procedures performed before the actual placement, such as a bone graft. During the consultation, we can discuss this process and go over the costs and timeline, so that you know exactly what to expect once you have started the placement process.
Our patients who reside in Colleyville, TX know that we take the time necessary to ensure that your case is treated properly and with the attention to detail it deserves.
Why We Are Patients’ Choice For Full-Arch Restorations
Tooth replacement should never be a one-size-fits-all process. Regardless of whether you require a full-arch restoration, implant bridge, or an individual implant, it is vital that you receive a personalized plan that allows you to have a smile that lasts for years. We take pride in helping Colleyville residents improve the function and appearance of their oral health by working with patients one-on-one and taking all their concerns and needs into account when devising a dental treatment.
Contact us if you have any questions regarding implant placement or other restorative services we may be able to provide.