Dental Implants

If you are missing teeth, you are not alone. Tooth loss is a far more common problem than you think. In fact, studies show that 178 million people across the United States are missing at least one tooth, and 35 million are completely edentulous (missing all their teeth). Whether you have lost one tooth or multiple teeth to gum disease, tooth decay, or a traumatic injury, the office of Reynolds Oral and Facial Surgery can help. We provide state-of-the-art care and offer the latest solutions to help patients reestablish complete, healthy, and beautiful smiles.

Dental implants for a smile that looks and feels completely natural!

Today, dental implants represent the most advanced system for the replacement of missing teeth. While conventional fixed bridges and dentures remain effective ways to replace missing teeth, dental implants come the closest to replicating the look, feel, and function of a natural smile.

With dental implants, you can once again enjoy all your favorite foods, speak and smile with renewed confidence and ease. Because dental implants behave in much the same way as the roots of natural teeth, they provide stability for the placement of a broad range of dental prostheses, including crowns and bridges up to a complete set of teeth. For patients who wear full dentures, dental implants provide added stability and retention, which improves comfort and function.

If you have experienced tooth look and looking for the best solutions for the replacement of missing teeth, visit Reynolds Oral and Facial Surgery to learn more about dental implants and all the state-of-the-art services we provide. At Reynolds Oral and Facial Surgery, we take pride in creating beautiful, and healthy lasting smiles!

Dental Implant Basics

Dental implants are small, biocompatible surgical posts that behave in much the same way as the roots of natural teeth. Once placed and integrated with the surrounding bone, dental implants provide support for single crowns, bridges, and dentures. Dental implants are either surgical quality titanium or zirconia. Both have similar biocompatibility. The implant itself is the post that goes into the bone and is either level with the bone or level with the gums. Connected to the implant is the abutment. The abutment is a connector or intermediary part. On top of the abutment is a crown or bridge. Sometimes the abutment can be a type of button that can snap into a part installed under a denture.

Consider All the Benefits

Whether you are missing one tooth, multiple teeth, or missing all your teeth, you can rebuild a complete and beautiful smile with dental implants! According to statistics, roughly 3 million people have already received dental implants, with that number increasing at a staggering rate of 500,000 per year. The soaring popularity of dental implants is attributed, in large part, to the numerous benefits they offer as compared with other methods of care.

While conventional fixed brides and dentures provide solutions for the replacement of missing teeth, dental implants offer several advantages over traditional methods of care:

• Dental implants come to the closest to replicating the look, feel, and function of natural teeth.
• With precise placement, good oral hygiene, and routine care, dental implants can last for many years.
• Dental implants provide continued stimulation of the underlying bone to prevent the bone loss that occurs when teeth are missing while preserving natural facial contours.
• Since implants behave like natural teeth, there is no chance that they will slip or dislodge like removable dentures when speaking or eating.
• Dental implants make it possible to speak with ease and eat and taste all types of food with virtually no restrictions.
• Dental implants do not decay and will not develop cavities.
• Unlike a fixed bridge, dental implants do not require any preparation or crowning of teeth adjacent to the missing tooth area.

The Most Versatile Solution for the Replacement of Missing Teeth

Types of Dental Implants

• Single-Tooth Implant
  • When a single tooth is missing, a dental implant restored with a crown replicates a natural tooth in almost every way. It is no longer necessary to fabricate a conventional three-unit bridge involving the preparation and crowing of any adjacent teeth. As a self-supporting and fully functional entity, a single tooth implant offers patients an excellent solution for replacing a tooth.
• Implant-Supported Fixed Bridges
  • Used to replace two or more missing teeth, an implant-supported bridge preserves the integrity of the adjacent natural teeth while providing the ongoing bone stimulation needed to prevent bone shrinkage and maintain facial contours. It relies on a select amount of expertly placed dental implants to support multiple crowns. Not every missing tooth need be replaced. For example, if you are missing three teeth you can get two implants and connect a three-unit (tooth) bridge.
• Full Arch Replacement with Four or More Implants
  • Serving as an alternative to full dentures, a complete set of replacement teeth supported by strategically placed implants successfully reestablishes a smile that looks, feels, and functions like a natural one. Unlike conventional dentures, this approach offers a “fixed” solution that is both stable and non-removable. While eliminating the need for messy denture adhesives and having to take dentures out to clean and sanitize them, it boosts confidence as one speaks, smiles, and chews. It also permits the immediate placement of an attractive set of temporary teeth, with a permanent set to follow once the implants become fully integrated with the surrounding bone. See more information on full mouth restoration.
• Implant-Retained Denture
  • As the name implies, this type of denture attaches to a select number of implants in the upper or lower jaw. These implants provide precise points of attachment for the removable overlying denture and add a significant measure of stability and retention. This added level of security enables one to smile, speak, and eat with greater confidence and ease. See more information on full mouth restoration.

Are Dental Implants Right for Me?

If you are wondering if you are a candidate for dental implants, our team can help you through your decision-making process by educating you on all restorative options and answering any questions you have. We treat every smile as unique and develop personalized treatment plans based on your medical and dental needs, current oral health, cosmetic expectations, lifestyle, and budget.

How are Dental Implants Placed?

In our practice, all implants are planned and placed with the final result in mind. We combine three dimensional x-rays (3D CBCT) with three dimensional digital photographic scans on a powerful design computer to plan each case individually. Using that data, we use a three-dimensional printer to print a surgical guide used during your surgery to carry out the procedure exactly as planned on the computer.

Surgery to place dental implants is typically considered a minor surgical procedure and performed on an outpatient basis. The procedure's extent varies by the type and number of dental implants, and if additional bone preparation is needed.

Once a dental implant is placed, it takes a few months to integrate fully with the surrounding bone. While a few implant solutions allow placing a same-day temporary crown or bridge, others require waiting for complete healing and osseointegration (fusion with the surrounding bone) to place a permanent prosthesis. A few months after implant placement, we will take x-rays and complete a stability test to determine osseointegration. Soon after, you are ready for final restoration with your general dentist.

We view communication as a vital part of patient care. Before your dental implant procedure, we will discuss dental anesthesia options including sedation and provide detailed pre-op and post-op care instructions. You can count on our office to keep you well-informed every step of the way.

Why Might I Need a Bone Graft to Get a Dental Implant?

According to clinical studies, dental implants have a demonstrated long-term success rate of well over 95%. However, the long-term stability and success of a dental implant depends upon the presence of sufficient bone at the time of placement. In cases of infection or periodontal disease, bone volume is often lost. By placing a bone graft in the extraction site, or prior to the placement of a dental implant, we can establish sufficient bone support for a sturdy and stable dental implant.

Why Might I Need a Gingival Graft for a Dental Implant?

Similarly to bone, the presence of adequate, healthy attached gingiva (gums) is essential for implant longevity. We will carefully evaluate all the aspects of your situation to optimize long-term success of your implant.

Let the Office of Reynolds Oral and Facial Surgery Help You Rebuild a Beautiful Smile!

Loss of teeth that are not replaced are associated with a decrease in over-all health and a shortened lifespan. With all the advances in dental materials, technology, and treatment methods available today, it is easier than ever to replace missing teeth with the most natural-looking and aesthetically pleasing with lasting results.

Reynolds Oral and Facial Surgery is pleased to offer leading solutions to improve your oral health and give you a smile you can feel confident sharing.