Providing an alternative to or supplementing conventional dentures and bridges, quality dental implants in Spokane provide tooth root replacements that create a solid foundation for permanent or removable natural-looking artificial teeth. In terms of stability, appearance and functionality, dental implants bring many advantages for people suffering tooth loss. They feel and look like your own teeth, and, being fused with bone, can in many cases last a lifetime with good care.
A big advantage of implant-retained dentures is improvement in chewing. The biting pressure with conventional dentures is significantly lower than that achieved by natural teeth. This low level of functional bite can over time result in bone loss through breakdown and absorption of old bone, giving the face a squished appearance. Implant dentures, with a bite power as strong as natural teeth, dramatically decrease this bone loss. Nutritionally, this means you can chew almost anything, as opposed to gradually having to eliminate more and more foods from your diet.
Another benefit of implants when used to support dentures is that they hold the denture plate firmly in position, preventing the problem of mumbling or slurred speech that can be caused by loose-fitting dentures.
As an alternative to a denture plate, implants, being part of your mouth, eliminate the inconvenience of removable dentures. Unlike a tooth-supported bridge, implants do not require alterations to surrounding teeth, which promotes better long-term oral health, and individual implants make for easier access between teeth, also improving oral hygiene. In the case of single implants to support a crown, they work like your own teeth, enabling you to eat your favorite foods with confidence.
A dental implant involves a small post made of titanium or zirconia being fitted into the bone socket of the missing tooth. As the jaw bone heals, it grows around the implant, anchoring it securely in the jaw. When the implant has bonded to the bone, an abutment is fixed to it to hold the new tooth firmly. A crown is then attached onto the abutment. The color of the new tooth or teeth are matched to your natural teeth. Because the implant is secured within the jaw bone, the replacement teeth look, feel, and function just like your own teeth.
Besides individual crowns, attachments can be fitted to the implant to support a removable denture plate.
Traditionally, patients have had to wait for implants for months after tooth loss, while the gums and bones settle. In some cases, however, immediate load implants are deemed a better option than delayed implants. Immediate implants work well if you’re missing all your teeth, depending on bone density, shape of the gums and the nature of your bite.
While it’s only natural that patients want an immediate dental implant solution, it’s not always the best option for an effective, enduring outcome. The dental offices of Spokane Dental, which provide quality dental implants in Spokane and the surrounding area, will weigh up the pros and cons of immediate v. delayed implants with you to help you make the right decision.
A bone graft may well be necessary for a dental implant when, as the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) points out, the jaw bone is too weak to hold an implant in place.
The bone graft implant procedure today typically entails the introduction of special grafting material into the jaw bone, which can take several months to create new, robust bone to secure and stabilize the implant. If only a minor graft is needed, this can possibly be carried out at the same time as the implant.
If you’re seeking quality dental implants in Spokane, Dr. Jonathan Smith’s Spokane Dental practice offers the very latest in dental implant materials and technology, backed by a highly-experienced dental team.
We specialize in all-ceramic implants, which hold several advantages over the traditional titanium-based versions. The ceramic option is ideal for patients whose mouth is sensitive to metals, and it greatly improves cosmetic results, particularly in the front of the mouth.
Whether you need one or more implants to support a crown or multiple implants to secure partial or full dentures, we can offer a long-lasting solution to give you back your smile and make you feel better about yourself.
Dr. Smith purchased a cone beam x-ray unit in December 2014, which greatly improves the process and quality of dental implants.
