Restore Your Smile Permanently
When tooth decay or injury result in gaps in your smile, activities like eating, speaking, and socializing may become difficult. What’s worse, missing teeth can lead to a host of other dental problems including additional tooth loss, periodontal disease, and more. Dr. Burneson and our expert dental team can restore any number of missing teeth with long-lasting and natural-looking dental implants.
Restoring your smile to full function can not only help you reclaim your confidence but also protects your oral health and overall wellness. At Today’s Dentistry, the health and function of your smile are our top priority, which is why we highly recommend this permanent restoration solution.
Dangers of Tooth Loss
Missing teeth not only affect the structural integrity of your smile but can also result in other oral health problems. Forgoing treatment when you lose a tooth can have a detrimental impact on your health, such as:
- Malocclusion (shifting teeth): Your teeth fit perfectly together, so when you lose one or more, your surrounding teeth also lose their support. Over time, they can shift out of their proper place. This can impact the integrity of your bite, which can not only make it harder to eat and speak properly but can also make maintaining good oral hygiene difficult.
- Tooth decay: Open spaces can become the perfect breeding ground for unhealthy bacteria, leading to potentially severe tooth decay.
- Periodontal disease: When you lose a tooth, your underlying gum tissue is more vulnerable to the bacteria that cause gum infections.
- Additional tooth loss: Your remaining and surrounding natural teeth are at risk for falling out if not treated properly.
- Bone loss: Without stimulation from your tooth’s roots, your jaw bone can deteriorate over time.
What Are Dental Implants?
Other restorations replace the visible parts of the tooth above the gum line, but dental implants are prosthetic devices designed to replace the entire tooth from crown to root. Dr. Burneson attaches the implants directly to your jaw, so you’ll never have to remove them or worry about them slipping out of place.
A dental implant comprises of three parts:
- Titanium post: This part of the implant is surgically implanted into your jawbone and acts as your new tooth root. The roots of your teeth are what keep your jawbone stimulated, preventing deterioration.
- Porcelain crown: The crown (or cap) is the visible prosthetic tooth that sits atop your gum line. The crown will allow you to eat and speak normally while filling the gap in your smile. While the post can last a lifetime, the crown may need to be replaced due to normal wear and tear. With proper care, a dental crown can last upwards of fifteen years.
- Abutment: This piece acts as a connector between the post and the crown.
Dental implants are stable and comfortable because they look and function like natural teeth. They can even be used in tandem with other restoration options, such as dentures, to give additional reinforcement and prevent jawbone deterioration.
Your implants are custom-made to blend in seamlessly with your smile. Our long-lasting dental implants will allow you to :
- Enjoy the foods you love
- Stimulate healthy jawbone development
- Feel confident about your appearance
- Speak more clearly
- Completely chew your food for better digestion
Computer-Guided Implant Solutions
You can replace a single tooth, multiple teeth, or even a whole arch of missing teeth with dental implants. You don’t even need one implant for every missing tooth. For example, as few as four implants can be used to provide a full, permanent set of upper or lower teeth.
Our practice uses advanced 3D scans and digital impressions to plan your implant surgery, ensuring unmatched safety and precision. By performing computer-guided implant surgery, we can foresee any potential issues in advance.
Patients can expect a number of advantages with computer-guided implant placement, such as:
- Maximum accuracy
- Safer procedure
- More comfortable procedure
- Long-lasting results
Immediate same-day implants are a durable, natural-looking tooth replacement option that can give you a beautiful smile in no time. With same-day implants, we’ll place a temporary dental crown following your procedure until your gums have healed and are ready for your new permanent teeth.
This incredible restoration solution is ideal for patients seeking to replace an extracted tooth, are missing an entire arch of teeth, or want a more comfortable alternative to dentures.
If your teeth are stained, damaged, or missing, our dentists can transform your smile with full and partial mouth reconstruction. By combining two or more dental procedures, we can restore your entire mouth including your teeth, gums, and bite.
Our full and partial mouth reconstruction treatment includes several procedures ranging from restorative to cosmetic, including:
- Dentures
- Dental implants,
- TMJ therapy
- Cosmetic dentistry
If you’re looking for the best way to replace your missing teeth, dental implants could be right for you. The implant process begins with your free consultation with Dr. Burneson, where he’ll examine your smile using cone beam imaging technology. He’ll also ask you some questions about your treatment goals so we can find the solution that’s right for you.
If you decide to restore your smile with dental implants, it only takes a few more steps to complete the process:
Dr. Burneson will surgically attach the implant fixture. This is a minor procedure that we perform right here in our Ashland office. Through a process known as osseointegration, the bones in your jaw will develop a secure bond with the fixture, creating a strong foundation for your new tooth. This process takes about three to five months to complete depending on your body’s natural healing process.
As soon as your body is completely acclimated to the implant fixture, you’ll return to our office so Dr. Burneson can attach your attractive porcelain crown. Your new restoration is custom-made to match the natural shape and color of your surrounding teeth for a seamless appearance.
From there, you’re free to go on about your day with a renewed smile you can be proud of.
Dental Implants have a 98% success rate, which is why Dr. Burneson recommends them as your restoration solution. The success of your implant depends on your oral health, the healing process, and jaw strength.
You may be a good candidate if you have:
- Any number of missing teeth
- Sufficient health to undergo a minor surgery
- Good oral health
- Sufficient bone to keep the dental implant in place
- A fully developed jawbone
You may not be the best candidate if you:
- Have uncontrolled gum disease
- Have a weak or deteriorated jawbone
- Are taking medications that weaken your immune system
- Have underlying health problems that impact your ability to heal (such as cancer, diabetes, or autoimmune disorders)
Depending on your unique situation, you may still be eligible to receive a dental implant. If you have oral health problems, a receded gum line, or a weakened jawbone, Dr. Burneson may recommend a supplemental procedure or periodontal therapy in order to increase your candidacy for implants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is dental implant surgery painful?
Dr. Burneson will administer a local anesthetic before the procedure to ensure you don’t feel any pain. We also offer dental sedation. There may be some swelling and discomfort following the procedure, but this can typically be managed with over-the-counter pain medication such as ibuprofen. Cold compresses can also help manage any swelling.
Can my body reject a dental implant?
Overall, implants have a success rate of 98%. Furthermore, the titanium fixture that holds your implant in place is completely biocompatible and allergies are highly uncommon.
How do you care for dental implants?
Implants require the same type of care as natural teeth, including daily brushing and flossing, along with regular dental checkups and professional cleanings. Although implants are resistant to decay, the gum tissues around them can become inflamed or infected in the absence of good oral hygiene. With proper care, dental implants should last a lifetime.
Are dental implants expensive?
Dental implants are the gold standard of restorative dentistry, so it’s not surprising that the initial cost of implants is higher than restorations such as dentures or bridges. But they last years longer than the alternatives and can enhance your oral health. When viewed as a long-term investment in your health, comfort, and well-being, the cost of dental implants is competitive with alternative treatments.
Discover If Implants Are Right for You
If you’re seeking to restore a damaged or missing tooth, dental implants could be right for you. The best way to find out for sure is to meet with our experienced implant dentist Dr. James Burneson at our Ashland office. He’s spent hundreds of hours completing special courses on restorative care, so you can rest assured that you’re in good hands.
To learn more, give us a call at (541) 482-7771. We’re happy to talk about our services, and you can always schedule a free consultation at our Ashland office. We look forward to helping you achieve a healthy smile again!