Dental Implants In Ardmore,Pa

Who Is Not a Candidate for Dental Implants?

The Dental implants that we provide are a highly successful type of dental restoration, with success rates of about 98%, according to many studies. However, this high success rate depends partly on an implant dentist selecting the best candidates for the procedure. Before beginning the dental implant procedure, Dr. Marshall will review your medical history and thoroughly examine your mouth to determine whether or not this restoration is a suitable tooth replacement option for you.

The ideal candidates for dental implants are patients who:

• Have one or more missing teeth.
• Have a healthy mouth, as well as good overall health.
• Have sufficient bone density, width, and height to hold the implant securely.
• Have a good bite.
• Are free from gum disease.
• Are not taking medications that may impact bone healing.
• Don’t smoke, or are willing to quit prior to the placement of dental implants.

Dr. Lindsey Marshall has found that most people are healthy enough and have the necessary bone density to make dental implants a viable option for replacing one or more missing teeth. Even if you do not meet all these characteristics, you may still be a good candidate for dental implants, but you may need additional procedures before getting dental implants.

If you do not have enough bone to support an implant, you may need a bone graft to increase bone in that area. Gum disease will have to be treated before your dental implants are placed.
If you are a smoker, you will have to quit smoking for at least for a short period before receiving dental implants. It’s best if you quit completely, however, because studies have shown that smoking can significantly impact the odds of success with dental implants. One study showed that the dental implant failure rate was as high as 30% in heavy smokers.

What Should I Expect during a Dental Implants Procedure?

Dental implants work by being surgically placed in the ridge beneath your gums. The implant is inserted in the space of the missing tooth, or multiple implants may be placed in strategic locations to support dentures or a dental bridge.

While you are anesthetized, the dental implants are placed beneath your gums. Over the next several months, the implant and the bone in which it was placed fuse together, forming a durable and stable foundation for the replacement tooth.

These implants provide a secure base for your tooth restorations. Because they are surgically implanted in bone, your replacement teeth will not move around. They provide optimal function, remaining secure and acting like a natural tooth.

The way dental implants work – by replacing the entire tooth – make them a highly effective, durable tooth replacement option. However, they may or may not be right for you. Because they require surgery, Dr. Lindsey Marshall will review your medical history and your oral health to make sure you are a good candidate. We are committed to finding the right option for you.

What Can Happen If I Don’t Replace My Missing Teeth?

If you are missing teeth, it affects your entire mouth, so it’s better to get them sooner rather than later. Missing teeth can cause your other teeth to shift, leading to bite issues that can damage implants. Your body also begins removing bone from the area where it is no longer needed to support a tooth, and having a missing tooth is an increased risk for periodontal disease.
 

Dental implants not only replace missing teeth but also fill the space in the jawbone formerly occupied by the tooth roots. As the site of the implant heals, the prosthetic is absorbed into the jaw, anchoring the replacement tooth (usually a dental crown) to fit the rest of your teeth.

Because the procedure replaces both the tooth and the root, dental implants can improve the health and function of multiple systems within the mouth, including:

• Everyday activities: Chewing, speaking, smiling, laughing, etc.
• Oral health: Proper dental hygiene and regular teeth cleanings can prevent further tooth loss, keep your natural teeth healthy and retain the function and durability of your dental implant.
• Gum health: Missing teeth cause your mouth to change over time, with gum tissue receding around the gap; using a dental implant combats receding gums.
• Bone health: Dental implants prevent the bone loss associated with missing teeth, maintaining the strength and function of your jawbone.
• Better bite: Filling in the gap left by a missing tooth can help align the upper and lower teeth, making everyday activities.

How Soon Can I Return to Normal Eating Habits after Placement of a Dental Implant?

In the months between implant placement and tooth placement, you can eat as usual as the healing is happening under the gum.

What Are Implant-Supported Dentures?

Implant-supported dentures are dentures that affix to dental implants placed in your jawbone for support. This helps them remain fixed when you talk and eat. With implant-supported dentures, you can eat and talk more easily and avoid embarrassing moments when dentures come loose in public.
Dentures supported by implants are more commonly used in the lower jaw, where it can be harder to fit traditional dentures.

Denture-supported implants still rest on top of the gums and are removable for cleaning.

What Are Partial Dentures?

Most often, dental implants are used to anchor artificial teeth directly in your jawbone, making them comparable to your natural teeth. But sometimes you may elect to get implant-supported dentures instead.
If you don’t have enough bone in the jaw in all the places necessary to support full tooth replacement, then implant-supported dentures may be an option. They may also be the more cost-effective option for you.

Why Choose Dentures?

Most often, dental implants are used to anchor artificial teeth directly in your jawbone, making them comparable to your natural teeth. But sometimes you may elect to get implant-supported dentures instead.
If you don’t have enough bone in the jaw in all the places necessary to support full tooth replacement, then implant-supported dentures may be an option. They may also be the more cost-effective option for you.

Both dental implants and dental bridges are solutions for replacing missing teeth. When placed in a traditional manner, dental bridges are anchored to adjacent teeth, allowing them to hold one to three dental crowns in place. 

While this is a wonderful solution for restoring function and aesthetics to your smile, using adjacent teeth for support can place undue strain on your natural teeth, causing further issues. In addition, because these restorations are placed on top of the gums, they do not prevent bone loss around the missing teeth, which will require adjustments or replacement of your dental bridge over time. 

If you are missing several teeth in a row, Dr. Lindsey Marshall may recommend using dental implants to support a bridge, allowing for an optimally secure hold. To perform this procedure, Dr. Marshall will work with a periodontist to place dental implants in the last gap left by missing teeth on both sides. She will then affix dental crowns to the implants to which your bridge can be attached. 

If you are considering dental implants and dentures, you may have a hard time choosing between them. If so, don't because dental implants can be used to support dentures. This allows you to have removable dentures that are securely fixed while avoiding dentures adhesive and the risk of slippage when eating or talking.