Dental Implants for the Front Teeth
Many people feel self-conscious about tooth loss, but it is a problem that many will experience at some point in their lives. When adult teeth go missing, it can compromise the strength, function, and beauty of the smile. The aesthetic effects of tooth loss are especially devastating when the front teeth go missing, since these teeth cannot be easily hidden.
One of the most trusted replacements for missing teeth is dental implants. Dental implants provide a replacement for both the crown and root of a tooth. They offer long-term stability and superior strength. Dental implants for the front teeth can provide Dr. Eugene D. Stanislaus’ Brooklyn Heights, NY patients with attractive, natural-looking tooth replacements.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants are an excellent option for the front teeth because they provide a number of unique benefits to our Brooklyn Heights patients.
- Natural appearance: Dental implants provide support to customized dental restorations. Whether dental implants are being fitted with crowns, a fixed bridge, or dentures, they will match the size, shape, and color of the adjacent teeth so that they appear to be a natural part of the smile.
- Superior strength: Dental implants fuse with the jaw bone to provide strength and security to dental restorations. With dental implants in place, patients can perform oral functions with ease.
- Ease of care: Dental implants can be cleaned and cared for just like the natural teeth. This makes it easy to keep restorations clean, and helps patients avoid oral health complications that could compromise surrounding teeth and gum tissues.
- Durability: Other dental restorations are long-lasting, but with proper care, dental implants can last a lifetime. This can save patients the need for additional dental treatment down the line.
The Treatment Process
Dental implants are placed over the course of several months. The first step of treatment is the surgical placement of the implants themselves, which are tiny titanium screws. An incision is made in the gum tissues, and implants are placed within the jawbone.
After implants have been placed, the incisions are closed and recovery begins. We wait several months before proceeding to the next step of treatment because we need to give the bone tissues time to fuse with the implant. This process, which is called osseointegration, is vital to the success of dental implant treatment.
Several months after the initial dental implant surgery, the gum tissues are opened and abutments are placed. Abutments are small metal posts that attach to the dental implants and protrude from the gum line. These posts will eventually hold dental restorations in place.
After the abutments are placed, we allow another few weeks for the gum tissues to heal. Finally, the patient will return to have the dental restorations placed. The chosen restorations are bonded to abutments with a special dental compound that will provide long-lasting stability.
What if I Don’t Have Enough Bone Structure?
One potential concern when using dental implants to treat missing front teeth is whether there will be enough bone structure to support the implants. If tooth loss is addressed right away, this probably won’t be a concern.
However, if insufficient bone density is a problem, patients can undergo a bone graft or a sinus lift. Either of these procedures will strengthen the jaw so that there are enough healthy tissues to fuse with dental implants.
Contact Us
If you are interested in learning more about dental implant treatment, contact us at your earliest convenience. Dr. Eugene D. Stanislaus would be happy to recommend a personalized treatment plan based on your unique needs. To schedule an appointment, call us in Brooklyn Heights at (718) 857-6639.