Dental Implants for Single or Multiple Tooth Replacement

Missing teeth can be unsightly. Whether youve lost teeth due to an accident, decay, dental disease, or congenital absence, advances in restorative dentistry can help conceal the gaps. If youve lost one or multiple teeth, youre not alone.

The team at Southern Dental Implant Center near Memphis, Tennessee, is expertly experienced in restorative and cosmetic dentistry. They can help you restore your smile by filling the empty spaces left from missing teeth. They understand that having gaps in a smile can make patients feel self-conscious or even frustrated when chewing. Dental implants can solve those problems.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are artificial teeth surgically inserted into the jaw to replace an individual tooth or set of teeth. They are one of the most common types of treatments for tooth loss, and very popular among patients with periodontal disease. Dental implants are also usually the best option when it comes to tooth loss. Crown-supported dental bridges, while less expensive, require filing down neighboring teeth to fit the crowns and bridge. However, dental implants can be placed in gaps without damaging other teeth.

Types of Dental Implants

Dental implants come in two different types: endosteal (in the bone) and subperiosteal (on the bone).

Endosteal implants are the most common type of dental implant. This type of implant requires screws and cylinders surgically placed into the jawbone to hold one or more prosthetic teeth in place. Many patients with removable dentures or dental bridges opt for this type of implant.

Subperiosteal implants are different because they are not drilled into the jaw completely. Instead, subperiosteal implants are placed on top of the jaw using metal framework and posts protruding through the gum. This holds the teeth in place. This type of implant is usually used on patients who have lost significant bone mass and are unable to undergo placement of endosteal implants.

For patients missing all of their teeth, a cosmetic dentist might recommend overdentures. These dentures act like dental implants for an entire row of teeth. Overdentures can be attached with implanted posts in the lower jaw or upper jaw. While traditional dentures can be dislodged, overdentures stay affixed to the gums because they are surgically implanted into the jaw.

Candidates for Dental Implants

You are generally a good candidate for dental implants if you are in good oral health and you have enough bone left in your jaw to support the surgery. You are not a good candidate if you have periodontal disease. Patients should speak with their cosmetic dentist to gauge whether they a good candidate for the operation. The dentist will also be able to customize a treatment plan for you that fits your needs.

The dentists at Southern Dental Implant Center are leaders in implant dentistry. They can help patients get the smile of their dreams in the most efficient way possible. To learn more about dental implant procedures and if they are right for you, contact the office today by phone or e-mail!