With dental implants, patients are no longer forced to live with loose and removable dentures. Missing teeth can now be replaced, requiring no crowning, capping, or modification to healthy adjacent teeth.
At Roman Dental we are all about prevention … saving teeth. However, adults do experience tooth loss, through genetic bias, gum disease, cavities and trauma. Dental implants offer a conservative tooth replacement option.
Real Patients – Real Results
How do dental implants differ from traditional bridges or dentures?
The differences are significant. Rather than wearing a removable plastic “plate” covering the jaw tissue or roof of the mouth, you receive an actual root replacement, eliminating the need for metal and plastic appliances. A small titanium screw is placed where the tooth’s root had been. A custom-made tooth or group of teeth is attached securely to the implants.
Dental implants can be used to replace a single tooth or they can be used to replace an entire set of missing or problematic teeth.
Dr. Kotlarek’s experience in the area of implants and aesthetics means that you will have confidence in the appearance and function of your teeth. We listen to our patients and develop a plan of treatment that fits each person’s unique needs.
Although there is no substitute for what is given or taken by nature, implant tooth replacement comes close to delivering the function and esthetics of natural teeth. For those susceptible to gum disease, cavities, sensitivity, and tooth loss – implants work.
Single Dental Implant
A damaged or missing tooth can be replaced in a very natural way. A single implant is inserted into the bone to replace the root part of that tooth; a crown then goes on top to simulate an actual tooth. This treatment choice has the highest success rate, making it the best long-term investment for replacing a single missing tooth. Even if the initial cost is slightly higher than other options, it is the most cost-effective solution over time. An implant will never decay or need root canal treatment and feels just like the tooth that was there.
What to Expect
If you must lose a visible tooth, an immediate replacement method exists; after treatment, you will be smile-ready!
Implants offer flexibility in how they can be used to replace teeth. In some instances, a bad tooth can be removed, the implant placed along with a temporary crown replacement all in the same appointment. In other cases, a temporary tooth replacement is made for esthetics, during a healing period. In some situations, grafting procedures are provided to fortify the jaw and support a dental implant. Dental implant procedures are comfortably done in our office with typical use of local anesthesia and sedation methods, so relaxing that often patients remember napping during the process.
Treatment begins with an evaluation to determine how best to proceed. Each person has different needs we will openly discuss treatment options and cost.
Multi-Tooth Replacement
Segmental replacement of multiple teeth — When you have more than one tooth missing, implants provide an ideal replacement mechanism. You don’t even need one implant for every missing tooth. Instead, implant teeth can act as supports for fixed bridgework. For example, if you are missing three teeth in a row, Dr. Kotlarek can place two implants, one on either side of the gap, and a crown in between that has no implant underneath. That way, you won’t need to use any of your remaining natural teeth as bridge supports, which could weaken them and make them more susceptible to decay. Bridging implants work well when a person has broken a dental bridge that was supported by natural teeth which may have broken or become decayed.
Full Mouth Dental Implant Replacement
Replace All Teeth Permanently — Implants can support an entire arch of upper or lower replacement teeth that are fixed into the mouth and are never removed. Sometimes the new teeth can be supported by as few as 4 implants. It’s comparable to the structure of a table, which only needs 4 legs to hold it up. In cases where jawbone density and volume have deteriorated, 5 or 6 implants might be needed to support a row of 10 to 12 teeth. Dental implant-supported teeth provide the physical benefits of chewing and speech in addition to social and emotional confidence and well-being.
Full Mouth Removable Dental Implant Replacement
Implant-Supported Removable Teeth— Implants can be made to support removable teeth. This method provides maximum esthetics, allowing the dentist to build lip and cheek support that may have been lost as a result of gum disease aging. Dr. Kotlarek takes great care to provide esthetically driven tooth replacement that serves to enhance and strengthen the muscles of facial expression in addition to providing chewing ability.
Traditional dentures rest on the gums and put pressure on the underlying bone. This accelerates bone loss, weakening facial appearance and slowly diminishing chewing ability. Today Dr. Kotlarek can attach a removable appliance onto implants, transferring that pressure into the bone structure rather than the bone surface.
Teeth can be made to snap in or snap out, whenever necessary, allowing for easy cleaning. Patients can eat, laugh, talk and even sing … with confidence.
Implant Care and Maintenance
Good oral hygiene and regular cleanings can prevent a destructive bacterial infection around dental implants called peri-implantitis. Flossing and brushing your teeth on a daily basis, along with regular professional cleanings, can prevent this. Excessive biting forces can come from either a habit of clenching or grinding your teeth during the day or while sleeping. If you have a habit of grinding or clenching your teeth, a nightguard will be recommended to protect your implants. Implants are a long-term investment in your smile, your health, and your well-being, so it’s best to protect your investment.
Dental Implant Cost
The price of dental implants is always of interest. Implants offer many options to secure single or multiple missing teeth. To receive an accurate price quote, come in for a free dental implant consultation, we openly discuss cost and treatment options tailored to your needs.
Implant Alternatives to replace your loose or missing teeth.
Pro’s & Con’s Implants vs Bridges and Partial Dentures
Each patient should be aware of the available options for tooth replacement. Reviewed below are the common alternatives with a list of benefits and limitations.
Dental Implants:
- Very Functional (closet to natural teeth) and aesthetic
- Fixed- held in place like a natural tooth
- Adjacent teeth are not reduced “drilled down”
- Normal speech
- Will not decay
- Can be used to replace one or many lost teeth
- Greater initial cost
Today, dental implants have become the standard method of permanent tooth replacement.
Partial and Complete Dentures:
- Aesthetic
- Quickly made, (two-three dental appointments)
- Moderate cost
- Adjacent teeth are not reduced “drilled down”
- May weaken or lead to loss of adjacent teeth
- Removable (may shift when eating, can be lost)
- Fragile (can be broken)
- Affects speech (plastic/metal hardware)
- Extra effort to keep clean
Bridges:
- Very functional and aesthetic
- Fixed – cemented in place, it is not removable
- Quickly made, (two-three dental appointments)
- Bridged teeth are connected, cannot floss between them
- Moderate cost
- Must have strong teeth on either side of the gap
- Increased chance for cavities to form on supporting teeth
- Extra effort to keep clean.
- Only a limited number of teeth can be replaced
- Periodic replacement is common