Dental implants are the best, most permanent way of addressing one or more missing teeth. Dr. Ben Thompson and Dr. Susan Thompson are dentists in Raleigh who restore dental implants with porcelain crowns once they have been placed by an oral surgeon and they have had time to integrate themselves into the jaw bone.
We restore single unit implants, as well as implant-supported dentures, implant-supported bridges, and fixed hybrid dentures.
Single Unit Implant
Single unit implant is an individual implant that resembles natural tooth structure. It consists of three parts: a titanium or zirconium screw that is secured into the jawbone and acts like a natural tooth root; an abutment, which connects the implant to the crown; and a porcelain crown.
Implant-Supported Denture
An implant-supported denture is a type of removable overdenture suitable if you don’t have any teeth in your jaw, but your jawbone remains healthy enough to support implants. The denture is firmly held in place with two or more implants.
Fixed Hybrid Denture
A fixed hybrid denture is a restoration that marries the benefits of fixed replacements and removable dentures. Once four or more dental implants are placed in the jaw, a denture can be screwed into the implants.
Implant-Supported Bridge
An implant-supported bridge- similar to a regular dental bridge, except that instead of being supported by two neighboring natural teeth, it is supported by two dental implants.
Why should I replace my missing tooth?
This is a common question, and it’s one we’re happy to answer. Each of your teeth serves an important function. In addition to helping you chew your food properly, they support soft tissue including the cheeks and lips. They also help keep your jawbones healthy. When you lose a tooth, this sends a signal to the jawbone that its work is done in that area, and the bone will begin to deteriorate.
A missing tooth can lead to other oral health problems. Properly aligned teeth help keep each other in their appropriate position, and when there is a space left by a missing tooth, it allows the neighboring teeth to drift. This can alter your bite and cause irregular tooth wear. A missing lower molar can cause its upper counterpart to “super erupt,” or erupt farther than it should. This can lead to sensitivity in the super erupted tooth due to increased root exposure, as well as changes in your bite pattern.
Replacing a missing tooth with a dental implant helps prevent these ancillary issues.
Benefits of implants for tooth replacement
Dental implants are the way to go if you want a restoration that you can treat the same as your natural tooth. An implant restored with a crown can be brushed and flossed just as you would your natural teeth. You can comfortably eat whatever foods you like.
Call us if you would like to schedule an appointment to learn more about dental implants. We can perform an exam to determine if you are a good candidate for the treatment.