Natural Solutions for Missing Teeth
Implants have a variety of uses in the dental office. They can be used to restore a single missing tooth or to support a fixed or removable appliance that replaces any number of missing teeth in an arch.
With a single missing tooth, an implant can be placed to replace that tooth. A titanium screw is placed in the bone where the missing root used to be. After the bone has healed to the screw, a centerpiece called an abutment is constructed to fit exactly into that screw and to stick up into your mouth. A crown is made to fit onto that abutment that matches your surrounding teeth, and it is glued in place. The end result is a functional tooth for you to eat on, care for, and smile with just like you would your natural teeth.
Multiple implant restoration cases are individualized based on your needs.
In the event that more than one tooth is missing in an area, it can be possible to build bridgework that spans the space between multiple implants, cementing in place a smile that is not removable.
Full removable dentures can even be supported by implants. In these situations, implants are placed in the bone, and attachments are placed in the denture. The resulting appliance snaps into place for an appliance that doesn’t move when you eat with it.