Sierra Studio - Implants
A dental implant is an excellent treatment for replacing missing teeth. A root form implant is the most common kind of dental implant. It is a small, titanium post that replaced the roots of a missing tooth. A custom-fitted artificial tooth, called a restoration, is secured to the implant, which holds the restoration firmly in place.
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The Benefits of an Implant
An implant has several benefits. Like the roots of natural teeth, it stimulates the jawbone when you chew. This preserves the jawbone and keeps it healthy. An implant is strong, comfortable, and secure. When the restoration is in place, the implant looks and feels much like the natural teeth.
With careful homeacer and regular checkups and cleanings here at Sierra, an implant can be an excellent long-term solution for missing teeth.
How is an implant used?
An implant can support a variety of restoration such as a single crown, multi-unit bridges, and full arch dentures. Some restorations, like a single crown and most bridges, are not removable. Others, like many full-arch dentures, can be removed for sleeping and cleaning.
Diagnosis and treatment
Depending on the situation, placing an implant involves several phases, and treatment times can vary widely. First we will determine if an implant is right for you. We will discuss your health history and treatment goals and perform a comprehensive examination to check the health of your gums and jawbone. We determine if you need any additional procedures, such as bone grafting or gum surgery.
To begin the prcoedure, a channel is shaped in the jawbone, and then the implant is placed into the prepared space. At this point, it may be possible to place a temporary restoration. Over the course of the next few months, the implant will become securely fused to the bone. The last step is to attach your beautiful final restoration to the implant.
Implant Options Available:
- Single Tooth
- Upper Jaw Overdentures
- Lower Jaw Overdentures
- Implant Bridge
- Bone Augmentation
- Partial Arch
- Full Arch
- Partial Denture
- Full Denture
"Implants - Diagnosing Bone Loss"
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Causes of bone loss
Bone in the jaw can be lost for a number of reasons. These include:
- Periodontal disease destroys the jawbone around the affected teeth
- Development of a cyst or abscess creates a hole in the jawbone
- Removal or accidental loss of teeth sometimes can injure jawbone
- Missing teeth do not stimulate the jawbone through chewing, causing the jawbone to shrink
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Diagnosis and treatment
To determine whether your jaw has enough healthy bone to secure an implant, we do a thorough examination. First we typically take x-rays, which can show us the height of the bone. In some cases, we may need additional specialized x-rays, such as a CT (computerized tomography) scan, to provide more details about your jawbone and the location of nerves and blood vessels in the jaw.
Then we perform a visual exam to look at the shape of the jawbone, and we may use a periodontal probe to check the height of the bone around any neighboring teeth. Sometimes, we may also find defects in the jawbone while we are performing implant surgery.
At Sierra if we discover that you have lost bone in your jaw, we will discuss with you the variety of techniques and options available to replace it.
When a tooth or teeth are missing, a dental implant can be a great choice for replacing it. An implant is a small titanium post that replaces the roots of a missing tooth and supports a custom made-crown, bridge or denture.
Problems caused by a missing tooth!
A missing tooth can cause a chain reaction of problems, including loss of bone in the jaw, shifting teeth, difficulty keeping teeth free of plaque and bacteria, grinding, clenching, and pain in the jaw joints.
Did you know that your Teeth transmit chewing forces through their roots to the jawbone and that this chewing foce stimulates the underlying bone? This stimulation is necessary to keep the bone healthy, so when a tooth is missing, the jawbone area begins to shrink, along with the surrounding gums.
Your teeth can shift and undue pressure can be placed on the neighboring teeth. This may lead to to grinding and clenching, as well as painful problems with your joint, the TMJ.
At Sierra we can make beautiful and functional implants that will seem just like your own original teeth!