Dental Implants in Stamford CT
Dental Implants
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Dental Implants: For More than Just Appearance
Missing teeth can greatly affect one’s confidence, and make them self-conscious to smile for photos, or to speak confidently around others. Dental implants are a very popular solution to this problem in the world of restorative dentistry. The American Academy of Implant Dentistry states that roughly 3 million people have dental implants in the United States. Perhaps that is due to their 98% success rate with patients. With proper care, dental implants can serve patients for many years!
Additionally, while dentists are aware, many don’t realize that missing teeth are more than just cosmetic issues. In terms of functionality, missing teeth can affect one’s speech and even force patients to alter the way they chew. This can result in not being able to enjoy all the foods they love. In other cases, the jawbone can also weaken and shrink because of a missing tooth root and lead to changes in one’s facial structure.
What are Dental Implants?
If you have missing teeth, damaged teeth, or teeth that need to be replaced, dental implants may be the solution. A small anchor is placed in your bone where the missing tooth root would normally be. This implant has a porous surface to it and after a few months, your bone attaches to the implant, securing it in place.
If you lack adequate bone, we can perform bone grafting to increase the amount of bone in the area. Once the implant is secure, we create a custom crown and attach this to your implant by seating it on top of a titanium post called an abutment, securing everything in place. Your new implant will then not only look like a real tooth, but you can get back to eating just like you do with your natural teeth!
What Are The Main Types of Dental Implants
Endosteal Implants
These are small screw-shaped titanium implants that are inserted directly into the jawbone itself. Endosteal implants are known for their stability and natural feel. They are safe, effective, and the most commonly used implants today. Treatment is complete after the surrounding bone and soft tissue heals, generally after a few months.
Subperiosteal Implants
Subperiosteal implants are not used nearly as much in dentistry. These implants are placed under the gum, but above the jawbone, unlike endosteal implants. This sort of implant might be suited for those who lack enough healthy jawbone, or who do not wish to go through the process of bone grafting to strengthen their jaw for endosteal implants. Since they rest on top of the jawbone rather than attach to them, subperiosteal implants lack the stability that the endosteal variety provides.
Implant Services Dental Implant Solutions At Our Practice
Single Tooth Replacement
If you are missing a single tooth, or a tooth of yours is causing you any issues or pain, replacing that tooth with an implant may be a good option. Implants are becoming more and more common as the preferred treatment for a missing tooth in Stamford CT. This is because once they fully integrate in your mouth, the implant looks, feels, and acts like your natural tooth. The process is relatively painless, quick to perform, and will have you showing off your smile again!
Full Mouth Restoration
Many Americans suffer from missing more than just one single tooth. Oftentimes, after trauma or gradual tooth wear, your teeth may begin to fail. If you are missing numerous teeth or are in need of multiple extractions, we can place dental implants and fabricate restorations to provide a better solution than dentures! These fixed bridges or dentures will provide you the ability to chew just like normal and get you back to the life you used to know!
Dental Implants
If the supporting structures for your teeth have undergone significant bone loss that cannot be salvaged by a bone graft, a dental implant may be recommended. Before a dental implant is performed, an X-ray is taken to observe the bone density of the jaw. Pending that you are an appropriate candidate, the teeth overlying damaged areas of bone can be extracted. In their place, a porous implant can be fitted into the jawbone. Once the bone has fused into the porous implant, a crown matching the natural color of your teeth can be attached to a titanium cap at the top of the implant, known as an abutment. With a success rate of nearly 95%, this procedure can leave you with a nearly indistinguishable, functional alternative for any teeth that were lost.
Who Makes For An Ideal Dental Implant Candidate?
There are various factors that determine what makes a good candidate for implants. For starters, good oral health and a healthy oral hygiene routine is crucial when undergoing surgery for dental implants. Implants might not be ideal for those with gum disease, or those who smoke heavily.
Another major factor that comes into play is age. Implants have the highest success rate in fully grown adults whose jawbone is finished growing. For children, it may be necessary to wait until their later teenage years when their facial structure has finished developing. This can help to avoid further complications down the line as they finish growing.
The health of one’s jawbone is also highly important when considering implant surgery. Since missing teeth can lead to deterioration in the surrounding bone, this can make it hard for an implant to attach correctly. Luckily these days, measures can be taken beforehand to take out the guesswork of determining the appropriate treatment plan.
State-of-the-art technology has helped to overcome such uncertainties and make implant procedures faster and more predictable. Dental practices use tools like a CBCT scanner which gives them a 3D view of one’s jaw area. This helps them analyze a patient’s jaw to determine if they have a sufficient amount of bone to proceed with treatment.
When Are Implants Not Recommended?
Dental implants serve as an excellent option for many, though they might be less practical in certain scenarios. Some of these scenarios might involve:
- Uncontrolled diabetes or gum disease.
- Patients who are taking select medications that suppress the immune system and can affect healing.
- Those with autoimmune conditions that could interfere with healing.
- Smoking and alcoholism.
The Primary Benefits of Dental Implants
There are numerous benefits to be enjoyed after treatment by those with dental implants. These amazing benefits fix both cosmetic and issues of functionality for patients. A few of these benefits can include:
- Can help stop issues like gum recession and bone loss from progressing.
- Stimulates new bone growth which helps preserve and restore one’s facial structure.
- Can correct issues with speaking and chewing caused by missing teeth.
- Prevents the loss of additional teeth and reduces a patient’s risk of gum disease.
- Implants help preserve one’s bite and mouth shape by preventing the shifting of your remaining natural teeth.
- Offers a permanent solution for those who are missing teeth.
- Can help to secure dentures without the use of glues.
Our in-house Oral Surgeon eliminates the need for additional trips to a specialist’s office. By having all of our services provided in our Stamford, CT office, we’re able to make the process of restoring your smile quick and easy. After an initial consultation, our team will work with you to come up with an ideal treatment plan to replace your missing or failing teeth. Schedule your no obligation consultation today!
Have been going to Dr. Stein and his partners since I was a kid (over 20 years). Easy, professional, helpful and kind. Everyone I’ve ever dealt with in reception has been friendly and patient. Dr. Stein and Dr. C and anyone who’s ever stood in for one of them has been great. Highly recommend becoming a patient here, whatever your age.
Dental Implants might be good choice if you suffer from any of the following:
- Missing Teeth
- Recent Extraction
- Failing Teeth
- Ill-Fitting Dentures
- Receding Bone
