Permanent Restorations For Lost Teeth

Everyone will experience tooth loss as their adult teeth develop. However, if you’ve lost adult teeth, you know how much it can affect your daily life and your self-image. Losing adult teeth can make it harder to eat, speak, and smile with confidence. Additionally, the longer tooth loss goes untreated, the more at risk you are of developing serious oral health issues such as gum disease, misalignment, and more.

There is a multitude of restoration methods available thanks to modern dentistry, but not all of them can offer a long-term solution or adequate protection against tooth-loss-related health issues. Fortunately, at Downtown Dental Group, patients of our talented Manhatten dentists can take advantage of restorations that look and function like real teeth and also provide added protection against tooth loss-related oral health issues. This method is called dental implants.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are natural-looking dental restorations designed to replace any number of missing teeth. Implants are made of three parts:

The post is the foundation and is usually made of titanium or zirconia
The abutment is the connector piece that attaches the foundation to the restoration
The crown is the restoration that replaces the missing tooth

Unlike dentures or bridges, implants are surgically placed and the benefits they offer in terms of stability, appearance, and longevity make them the most recommended method of tooth replacement available in modern dentistry.

Dental implants at Downtown Dental Group

Benefits of Dental Implants

Stability

Dental implants are surgically placed into your jaw where they fuse to the jawbone in a natural process called osseointegration. The fusion of bone tissue and implant material means your restorations won’t fall out when you eat, speak, and smile.

Natural Appearance

Dental implants are custom made to look and function like your natural teeth so they blend seamlessly with your smile.

Prevents Resorption

The titanium post of an implant mimics the tooth root, which sends signals to your body to regenerate bone tissue, preventing loss of jawbone density or resorption.

Prevents Infection and Inflammation

Spaces left behind by missing teeth are essentially wounds that are vulnerable to infection and inflammation. Dental implants are rooted into your gums, sealing these wounds to help prevent infection and inflammation.

Restores Bite Force

Losing teeth reduces your bite, putting extra pressure on your remaining teeth and making them more prone to damage from wear and tear. Dental implants can almost completely restore your bite, taking excess pressure off of your natural teeth.

Stain Resistance

Restorations for dental implants are often made of ceramic-like material that’s non-porous, making them stain-resistant.

Longevity

Dental implants can last twenty years to a lifetime with proper oral hygiene and regular dental exams with our dentists at Downtown Dental Group.

The Dental Implant Process

Consultation

Before our dentists can recommend dental implants, you’ll undergo a consultation to determine your candidacy. Your dentists will thoroughly examine your mouth, teeth, and gums, review your medical history, and ask you questions about your oral health. They’ll also tell you about your other options so you can make an informed decision.

Design

Once you and your dentist have both agreed that implants are the right treatment method for you, we’ll take images and impressions of your teeth. These images and impressions will be sent to an off-site laboratory, where they’ll be used as blueprints by technicians who will design your custom made restorations.

Preparation

To prepare your mouth for your new implants, we’ll clean it out to create a sanitary environment. Then, we’ll apply a local anesthetic to the surgical site so you’ll be numb to any pain and feel comfortable during your procedure.

Implant Installation

Once we’re sure your anesthetic is working, your dentist will make small incisions in your gums and surgically insert your implant posts into your jaw. You’ll return to have your restorations attached once the posts have fully integrated with your jaw, a process that usually takes three to six months. While you’re recovering, you’ll receive a temporary crown and a “healing cap” to cover the implant site. Expect the implant location to be tender for several days following placement.

Restoration Installation

When you return to Downtown Dental Group, your dentist will attach your custom crown restorations to the implant posts with abutment pieces. You’ll be able to leave our Manhattan, KS office that same day and show off a fully restored smile.

Dental Implants in Manhattan, KS