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For the replacement of missing teeth it is imperative that dental implants are
considered. Whether replacing a single tooth or several teeth, implants may provide a more natural appearance and feel. Unlike
conventional bridgework, implants can provide tooth replacement without the need to cut down adjacent teeth. The dental preparation
of healthy teeth can undermine their integrity and lead to further problems later on. In addition to preservation of the adjacent
teeth, the implant also prevents the loss of bone in the area of the missing tooth. Immediately following the loss of a tooth
the bone begins to melt away. Replacing the tooth with a implant restores function to the bone and prevents the resorption
of the bone. See figure 1
How the implant works: To replace a tooth with an implant, the dentist places
the implant in the bone in the position of the missing tooth root. This subsequently acts as an anchor to which a new crown
is attached after the implant has undergone an integration period. The final restoration is placed by the dentist four to
six months after the placement of initial dental implants. See figure
2
figure 2
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figure 1
In the below photo (figure 3) the
patient was faced with the news that his front tooth had a root fracture and needed to be removed. He had seen enough bridges
to know he did not want to irreversibly shave down his perfectly good neighboring teeth, then have to walk around with something
fake looking. He came to the dental office because
of the dentist's experience in both cosmetic dentistry and implant dentistry. After a thorough evaluation and a discussion
of his options, he decided on an implant placed immediately at the same visit as the tooth extraction. A provisional crown
was then fabricated (also at the same visit). Patient left the office that day with a great looking tooth, no pain and a big
smile. Several months later patient had remaining teeth bleached with the BriteSmile technique and fabricated a very natural
looking aesthetic porcelain crown.
After a thorough examination with appropriate x-rays and study models, the dentist
can help you determine if you are a candidate for dental implants.
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