Dental Implants – Say Goodbye to Bad Teeth!

Do you have one or more teeth that are damaged and spoil the appearance of your smile? Do you have any missing teeth? Have you ever been evaluated for a smile makeover, including dental implants in Peoria? A consultation with your Arizona dentist can answer all of your questions and formulate a plan for your smile makeover.

If you need one or more teeth replaced, dental implants are often the best choice. When replacing teeth, the objective is to restore both aesthetics and function. Today there are basically three choices in tooth replacement, a fixed dental bridge, full or partial removable Peoria dentures and dental implants.

Some factors that can influence these choices are, the health of the patient, the health of the jawbone where the dental implants will be placed and the cost. Your Arizona dentist will first need to examine you in order to decide if you are a good candidate for a dental implant. Due to advances in modern dentistry, today most people can receive dental implants. In the past, some people didn’t have sufficient bone in which to anchor an implant, but today, a bone graft can usually remedy that.

Dental implants are often the preferred choice for several reasons. A dental implant acts as an artificial tooth root. These implants are usually made from titanium, since titanium is extremely biocompatible, making it the material of choice for numerous procedures, including joint replacements. Titanium’s strength and biocompatibility foster osseointegration. This means that after your Peoria dentist places your dental implant, over the course of the next few months your jawbone will surround the implant and become fused with it, leaving it even stronger than your natural tooth root. Once the process is complete your dentist can install a porcelain crown that will look and feel like your own natural tooth. Having a dental implant fused to the jawbone is the closest thing to your own tooth, because it stands on its own without affecting any other teeth and is extremely stable.

At first glance the initial cost of dental implants may seem high, but over time the cost of implants versus dentures evens out. When teeth are extracted, it will eventually result in bone loss. That’s what can give denture wearers that sunken look. That’s also why dentures regularly need to be relined and then replaced a few years later. Dental implants help to prevent bone loss, thereby preserving facial contours. In addition, when properly cared for, dental implants can last a lifetime, making it more than worth the initial cost. Denture wearers often go through several sets of dentures over the course of a lifetime.

Due to their strength and stability dental implants can also be used to anchor dental bridges, or even to anchor complete dentures. Although dental implants have been around for quite some time, due to technological advances, the chance of a successful outcome has greatly increased. When dental implants are placed by a dentist that is experienced in working with dental implants the success rate is over 97%.

What to Expect When You Choose Dental Implants

The first step is to make an appointment with your Arizona dentist for a consultation. The dentist will take x-rays and examine the place where the implant will be placed, assessing if there is sufficient jawbone present or if a bone graft will be necessary. Once your dentist in Peoria has determined that you are ready to have a dental implant you will make an appointment to return for the surgical procedures.

What happens during your next appointment depends on if you have any teeth that still need to be extracted. If so, your dentist will perform the extractions and if you are a candidate for immediate implant placement, that step will also be completed. During the surgical procedure, you will be given local anesthetic as well as any other anesthetic or sedation necessary to keep you calm and comfortable. Many patients find they are not in as much discomfort as anticipated after these procedures and can sometimes manage their pain with acetaminophen or ibuprofen. If you find you need more pain relief your dentist will prescribe pain medication. You may also be prescribed antibiotics to prevent infection and will be instructed about post surgical care.

The next step is to allow healing to take place and osseointegration to be completed. This phase can take up to six months. During this time, it’s important to avoid placing any stress on the implant. You will be given a temporary bridge or denture to wear while you heal. Be sure to keep all follow up appointments, so that your dentist can assess how well you are healing and be certain there is no sign of infection.

When your dentist determines that the implant has completely fused with the jawbone, an abutment will be screwed into the dental implant. Then the implant crown will be attached to the abutment. Now you have a beautiful, completely natural looking and feeling replacement tooth.

Call Aesthetic Dentistry of Arrowhead to make an appointment for a smile makeover consultation. Dr. Ceyhan will assess your needs and decide if you are a good candidate for dental implants. It’s a state of the art procedure that can improve your dental health, make chewing easier and boost your confidence.

At Aesthetic Dentistry of Arrowhead, Dr. Ceyhan is highly experienced in implant dentistry. He enjoys attending study clubs and furthering his dental education through continuing education courses, as well as teaching at Midwestern University School of Dental Medicine in order to keep up with the latest technological advances to better serve his patients.