Dental Implants

Click here to learn more about Dental Implants from the American Academy of Periodontology.

DENTAL IMPLANTS DEFINED

Simply stated, dental implants are small fixtures that are placed in the jawbone to provide a firm foundation for replacement teeth.

Several types of dental implants are available, the most widely used being the post implant. A titanium cylinder is implanted into the jawbone. Bone grows around the implant fixture, bonding it to the jaw. After the bone has healed, an abutment is inserted into each implant, which then becomes the anchor to which prosthetic teeth are attached.

The concept of dental implants has been around since the pharaohs of ancient Egypt, but today's examples represent state-of-the-art technology. New designs, techniques, and space-age materials have been combined to provide these excellent, modern dental appliances.

DENTAL IMPLANT CANDIDATES

• People whose teeth or dentures cause pain or embarrassment when they eat nuts, apples, steak, or corn-on-the-cob.
• People whose loose or ill-fitting dentures slip and click.
• People who want to avoid the trouble of removing partial plates or who want to avoid bridgework.
• People whose decaying teeth or unhealthy gums indicate that they may lose their own teeth.
• People who are embarrassed by halitosis ("bad breath") that is sometimes associated with wearing dentures.
• People who have been told to have their teeth pulled and hate the idea of having dentures.
• People who are missing one or more teeth and want replacement teeth.

BETTER THAN DENTURES

Dentures and dental appliances can function well - initially. Eventually, however, dentures may become ill-fitting and annoying. No matter how well dentures fit initially, changes in the jawbone eventually cause problems. Once a tooth has been lost, the underlying bone is gradually resorbed. The bone deterioration is accelerated by any pressure or movement of dentures or partials.

Dental implants provide support to your jaw, thereby arresting the bone deterioration. They also help avoid the damage to healthy teeth that sometimes is a part of crown preparation and bridgework.

Dental implants are devices placed into the jaw bone that provide support for teeth or a denture. Dental implants have been used for the past five decades with success of greater than 90%.

Dr. Sonntag has been involved with dental implants since 1985. During these two decades of implant therapy, Dr. Sonntag has restored many dental implant patients. These patients have had only one tooth missing, or their entire dentition.

This dental treatment alternative is available at the office of Dr. Robert F. Sonntag. For those of you with loose dentures or missing teeth this alternative may be just what you need. Please ask if any of these considerations fit your dental needs.

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