At Reno-Tahoe Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Center, we always put your oral health first. When tooth loss strikes, it is important to consider tooth replacement right away to avoid the health issues that can arise when you are without teeth for too long. But, what is the best way to have teeth replaced? Dental implants are currently the best way to replace teeth because they are permanent and offer you some tremendous health benefits. We feel that patient education is important so that you know what your options are and can make an informed decision that will benefit you in the long run.
When it comes to getting dental implants in Reno, NV, we also recommend seeing a qualified oral surgeon to complete the procedure. A Reno oral surgeon provides the best dental implant care in comparison to your typical dental office.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are a permanent, fixed, tooth replacement option that can restore a single tooth, multiple consecutive teeth, or a full arch of missing teeth. As you can see, dental implants are extremely versatile in their ability to replace teeth, and they have tremendous health benefits!
Dental implants replace both the crown and the root of the tooth, something that dentures and traditional dental bridges do not do. Made up of three parts which include a titanium post, abutment, and the dental crown, dental implants are designed to be the most comparable to a natural tooth. By replacing the root of the tooth, your jaw bone is stimulated and encouraged to maintain healthy bone levels, helping you to avoid bone loss in your jaw.
Dental Implants vs Dentures
There are multiple tooth restoration options available, one of which is a set of dentures. When comparing dental implants vs dentures, there are some key differences to take note of. While both are effective methods of restoring tooth functionality, there are some drawbacks to dentures that make them less ideal than dental implants. Dentures are made in full or partial sets and are most commonly used to replace several or all teeth. An adhesive is required to keep dentures in place and is easily removable. However, this tends to lead to complications such as the denture slipping and falling out unexpectedly and commonly causes pain and discomfort if not fitted properly.
Dental implants avoid such complications by being permanently fixed to the jaw bone. The greatest advantage of dental implants is that they do not move or come loose on their own. Because of this, you’re able to go about talking, chewing, and laughing with no worries that your teeth might come loose. Dental implants are also much more comfortable and natural-looking than dentures.
Dental Implants vs Bridges
Another available tooth restoration option is in the form of a dental bridge. Comparing dental implants vs bridges can help you make the best choice in regards to your oral health, so let’s dive in. Dental bridges are false teeth that are held in place by other surrounding teeth. They’re able to cover one or more teeth and can be applied for a low upfront cost. However, dental bridges do increase the risk of damage to teeth surrounding the missing tooth. Complications may include cavities and tooth decay potentially resulting in more tooth loss.
Dental implants are a great alternative to bridges that won’t cause damage to your surrounding healthy teeth. Because the titanium post is used to fix the tooth directly to the jaw structure, any surrounding teeth won’t be affected. Dental implants are also more likely to last longer than bridges and are made to look completely natural.
The Parts Of A Dental Implant
The Implant Post
The implant post is made of titanium and is surgically inserted into your jaw bone. We use titanium for implant posts because it is a metal that is biocompatible, meaning the human body readily accepts and grows around it.
The Implant Abutment
The implant abutment is screwed into the top of the implant post. The purpose of the abutment is to provide the implant restoration (crown, bridge, full arch) with some surface area that we can attach it to.
The Implant Restoration
The implant restoration is the part of the implant that will help you to chew your food. It is also the part of the implant that will look great when you smile!
The Procedure
The first step in the dental implant placement procedure is to plan the placement of the post. We will take some impressions and X-rays of your mouth so that we can determine exactly where and how to place the implant post. Once we have a placement plan, we will ensure your comfort by numbing the area with a local anesthetic and administering whatever sedation option you would prefer. We will then make an incision in your gums to expose the bone in your jaw. We will prepare your jaw to receive the implant post with a special dental drill and place the post according to our placement plan. We will suture your gums around the post and allow some time for healing.
Once the implant post has had adequate time to heal in your jaw (2-5 months), it will be time to place the abutment and implant restoration. Each of these parts is affixed with permanent dental adhesive
Please call us today at (775) 368-8221 or click on the button below to schedule an appointment.
