Dental Implants In Cleveland, TN

If a tooth is missing or needs to be extracted, we can replace teeth in several ways. One way is a removable or fixed method that relies on other teeth in your mouth to support the missing tooth. The implant method, however, replaces the missing tooth as close to a natural tooth as possible. The implant itself goes down into the bone, acting as a replacement for the root. Then, there's another piece called the abutment that attaches to the implant and sticks out of the gums. On top of that, we place the crown.

The implant is not something that goes in and out of your mouth. It looks natural, feels natural, and allows you to function naturally. The best part is that when a tooth goes missing, you continue to lose bone in that area. Once an implant is placed, it helps preserve the bone, which is important for supporting any remaining teeth. Even if there are no other teeth left, maintaining the bone is crucial for supporting whatever replacement you have.

Even a traditional denture relies on bone to support it. Without an implant, the bone will deteriorate over time, causing dentures to fit poorly and become loose. Implant placement is a good option because it helps preserve the bone and is the most cosmetic and functional solution.

Dental implants are recommended in areas where tooth loss is inevitable or has already occurred, as long as there's adequate bone. If there's not enough bone, we can add or amend it in most cases. We recommend implant placement to restore the ability to chew and preserve the bone supporting other teeth. When a tooth goes missing, the surrounding bone can deteriorate, leading to further tooth loss. Replacing teeth as they go missing helps preserve bone and maintain dental health. People with teeth live eight years longer on average.

If you're already missing all of your teeth, we can replace them with implant-supported teeth that are cosmetic, comfortable, and restore your ability to eat anything you want.

Dental implants preserve the bone, preventing further loss, which is important for supporting any prosthesis. They are strong and durable, made from titanium, so they won't decay like biological tissue. Implants are the closest substitute for a natural tooth and are stronger than natural teeth. We expect implants to last a lifetime, though some parts may require maintenance over the years. Factors like medical conditions, grinding, or neglecting oral hygiene can affect implants, but these factors would also affect natural teeth and gums.

The process starts with a review of your medical history, followed by an evaluation of your dental history, a treatment plan, and then the procedure itself.

First, we discuss your medical history, ensuring any past head and neck radiation, surgeries, or medications won't interfere with implant success. We consider potential issues like bleeding and adjust accordingly. Next, we evaluate your dental history, addressing any additional needs that could affect the treatment plan, and ensure adequate bone for implant placement. If necessary, we discuss options to improve bone quality.

We create a customized treatment plan based on the number of missing teeth and replacement needs, developing a step-by-step process. The procedure involves numbing the area, making a small incision, and placing the implant into the bone. Although it sounds painful, it's not. We ensure the gums are thoroughly numbed. Typically, we prescribe anti-inflammatory medication like ibuprofen, which helps with inflammation and speeds up healing. Most patients report minimal discomfort.

After the procedure, you'll need two to six months for healing before placing the tooth on the implant. Once healed, we attach the abutment, the piece sticking out of your gums, and place the crown to complete your tooth restoration. Occasionally, we can place the implant immediately after tooth extraction, which can expedite healing.

If a tooth is removed, we generally graft the area to preserve the bone, as you can lose about 50% of bone without grafting. If inadequate bone is present after years of tooth loss, grafting may be considered on a case-by-case basis. We assess your situation to determine how much bone is currently present.