Creating and maintaining healthy smiles in Pearl City & Pearl Harbor
Losing a tooth due to injury, dental decay, or gum disease can happen. However, in order to avoid causing problems for the adjacent teeth and your overall dental health, it is important to replace the tooth that has been lost. This can be done a number of ways including fixed bridges, removable partial or full dentures as well as a more recent procedure known as dental implants.
One of the most significant dental innovations in recent times, an implant is a small surgical fixture made of biocompatible metal or ceramic materials that is placed into the jawbone and functions in the same manner as the root of a tooth. In the same way that natural root supports the natural crown of your tooth, an implant once it fully integrates with the surrounding bone, provides a stable and durable foundation for a replacement tooth. Implants often support a crown for an individual tooth, but can also be used as abutment teeth for a dental bridge, or strategically placed to help stabilize a denture.
Out of all of the restorative choices available today an implant comes the closest to replicating the look, feel and function of a natural tooth. Furthermore, it is the only method of tooth replacement that does not require the involvement or preparation of the adjacent teeth. A dental implant also stimulates bone remodeling to prevent shrinkage in areas where teeth are missing and helps to restore facial contours in areas where significant bone loss has occurred.
Dental implants are a great way to completely replace a missing tooth. Single implants replace just one missing tooth at a time. The implant is typically made out of titanium, which is inserted deep into the jaw bone. Over time, the implant will actually fuse with the bone and become an integral part of your smile. After healing, a crown can be made to attach to the top of the implant.
If you are missing a tooth, this can affect both your confidence as well as your ability to eat and chew properly. Over time, the surrounding teeth may even begin to shift out of place, causing orthodontic problems. An implant is a better option for patients because it does not require surrounding teeth to be filed down or compromised in order to replace what is missing. Likewise, implants are not removable like a partial denture, and they are made to fit perfectly in with your smile.
The first step is to place the actual implant. This is done by creating an incision through the gums and Dr. Grewal making a small tunnel in the bone for the new implant. The implant is then placed and is given time to begin to heal. You will then come back in after a few weeks for the abutment to be added to the implant. After this has been given time to heal, a dental crown is made and placed over the actual abutment and implant.
A dental implant is specifically designed to replace one or more teeth within your mouth. Implants are often made of titanium, and they are surgically inserted into the jawbone. Over the course of a couple of months, the implant itself will fuse with the bone, becoming a solid and stable part of your smile. We can then place single crowns, bridges or even full dentures over the freshly healed implants.
Dental implants work best for patients who have solid, healthy bone in the area where the titanium posts are going to be placed. X-rays allow us to see these areas and to make note of any signs of bone loss. If you suffer from bone loss or have low-lying sinuses, we may recommend either a bone grafting or sinus lift as a way to successfully place the implants. Implants can last for decades without showing signs of wear or damage.
All-on-4 technology refers to placing four strategically planned implants to keep a denture in place. This prevents the need for more than just four implants to be used and all of the implants can be placed in one or two appointments. The procedure helps your denture to fit more securely and prevents the need for creams, adhesive strips and gels. The procedure is safe, easy and most implants heal fully in about six months.
The first step is discussing your sedative options so that we can provide you with the comfortable experience you expect. We then administer this sedation and begin the surgery. Small incisions are made through the gums and the titanium implant posts are inserted deep into the bone. The sutures may be sutured to close the area and help promote proper healing. Over the course of about three to six months, your implants will naturally begin to fuse with the surrounding bone and become secure, stable and virtually permanent. You’ll then come in and have a specially made denture for you after taking impressions. We’ll show you how to remove and place the dentures as needed throughout the day.
Creating & maintaining healthy smiles in Pearl City & Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
Pearl Family Dental Care
Featured Services