There are now some really great options for replacing a missing tooth or even for those who do not have any of teeth left. Typically implant are made of titanium however new advancements in ceramic implants have been made. Few surgeons offer this as an alternative. We offer ceramic implants made of zirconia. These zirconia implants offer an esthetic option compared to most titanium implant cases. In addition these materials have been shown to have less bacteria adhesion to the implant. We offer both types of material and can discuss with you which option may be best for you. To learn more about zirconia implants click here or contact one of our Colorado dental offices.

Overview

A dental implant is basically a screw-like device that gets inserted into the jaw bone. What we call the dental implant is only the part that looks like a screw. It’s typically three parts from start to finish to give you what feels like a tooth.

  1. Implant – the screw part that goes in the jaw bone, can be made or titanium or zirconia
  2. Abutment – the part that connects and attaches to the crown or denture
  3. Crown or Denture – the part that feels and looks like a tooth and teeth

How does it work?

During the exam Dr. Lai will assess the foundation that will support an implant. This means checking to see if have enough bone and if your gums are healthy and free of disease. This is because and implant needs to be completely surrounded by bone when it is put in so it can heal and become solid for and implant later. If there is not quite enough bone there may be options for bone grafting to create enough bone to anchor the implant. For example if you have large sinuses which are essentially empty space your doctor may advise a sinus lift. A sinus lift is where more bone is added to to create a better foundation to support the implant.

In other instances you may have just enough bone to anchor an implant  but the bone is thin so a bone graft needs to be added to reinforce the foundation.

To view some of our most frequently asked questions about implants click here.

Oral Health

It is also important that your mouths is healthy and there is no gum disease such as gingivitis or periodontitis. In these situations the bacteria that causes disease can also cause problems and bone loss around an implant and is called peri-implantitis. Implant are a great replacement choice but like anything in the medical and dental world nothing is full proof. A healthy mouth increases the likelihood your implant will heal and last many years.

Without an implant or natural tooth your bone does not get the signal that it needs to be there and so disappears and gets thinner and smaller over time. We call this atrophy. How much of it disappears varies in each person but typically the longer there is no implant the more bone siaapears. Bone grafting can often help with this but the more you have of your own bone the sooner you can start chewing in that area again. So don’t delay. Call for a consult and Dr. Lai will assess your individual needs and discuss with you your choices for replacing those missing teeth.