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Why Dental Implants?![]() We can replace damaged, broken, and missing teeth, restoring your function and providing you a smile to be proud of. Dental Implants have been rapidly increasing in popularity; this is due in part to their extremely high rate of success. With a greater than 98% long-term success rate, dental implants are the most successful dental restoration. We would love to meet with you, examine your oral health, and create a customized dental treatment plan that will fit with your health, budget, and needs. What are dental implants?A dental implant is not a false tooth or group of teeth. A dental implant is a titanium rod that connects your jawbone and a dental appliance. Resembling what we would think of as a screw, Dr. James Krippaehne surgically inserts this metal device to serve as an anchor to permanently retain a dental appliance, which could be a dental crown, a dental bridge, a partial denture, or a full denture to your gums. Without this secure base, you can not permanently replace a missing tooth. Other methods force the reliance on neighboring teeth, suction or clasps to provide that anchor, none of which is ideal. The only way to permanently anchor a dental restoration after a tooth is lost is with a dental implant. Dental implants come in a variety of lengths and widths depending on the number of teeth you are replacing, the available bone mass and the health of the patient. From mini-implants, which do not require surgical insertion, to the All-On-4® Treatment Concept using immediate load dentures, which uses longer implants to reach the denser bone, we can customize the treatment plan that is right for your needs. Why should I replace a missing tooth?Missing teeth can be a problem. Patients often want to just live with the gap of a missing tooth, but this will not only not alleviate the current problem but will exacerbate it, causing new and bigger problems. When a patient loses even a singular tooth, there are several problems that occur, including:
There are several reasons on why you should replace your missing teeth, but the real answer comes down to your function. At West End Dental, your oral health is our concern. We want our patients to have functional teeth. Increasingly, people are living longer and healthier lives; we don’t want you to give up foods that you love, or abstain from social situations because of your teeth. There are costs associated with restoring your teeth, but there are costs associated with not restoring them too, and we feel that the costs associated with not restoring them are so much greater. How Would a Dental Implant stop the problems that come with a missing tooth?A dental implant can halt the problems that come from a missing tooth. We are not just replacing a tooth; we are creating a solid base after the original base has been lost. By placing a new base, we can then rebuild what was lost without relying on neighboring teeth while also keeping the bone strong and preventing bone loss. Once the implant is in place, the patient no longer has to worry about the problems that are associated with tooth loss. The bone will stay stronger because the stimulation of chewing, motion, and movement are being transferred to the bone. The neighboring teeth will not be able to shift into that spot, helping your original bite stay intact, preventing the possibility of TMJ dysfunction. How many teeth can a dental implant restore?Using varying numbers of implants, we can replace a singular tooth, multiple teeth, or even all of your teeth using dental implants. In some situations, we use a single implant to replace a single tooth, but we can also use a single implant and a healthy tooth to anchor a bridge, or use four implants to anchor an entire denture replacing all of your teeth on an arch, the options vary. The best way to know how many implants you need is to meet with Dr. James Krippaehne and review your medical needs, oral health needs, and financial capabilities. We are happy to work within your limitations and help you come up with the best long-term plan to having functional teeth. How long with a dental implant last?For most patients, a dental implant will last them through the remaining of their life without ever needing replacement. Modern titanium implants have been used since the 1960s, and the long-term prognosis for them has been great. Implants have a greater than 95% success rate even after 20 years of use. This rate of success makes dental implants the most successful dental restoration over any other treatment. Clinical studies have shown the success rate for dental implants does not decrease over time. The key to the success of implants is a natural process known as osseointegration. Titanium is biocompatible, meaning your body will not reject it as a foreign object; in fact, it will heal around it, incorporating it in. Osseointegration refers to integrating with the bone. As your body heals, it grows and heals around the bone, fusing the implant into your bone, making it part of your body. This fusion is solid. Your implant then becomes a firm and solid foundation to build the dental restoration from. This process makes a dental implant a great long term restoration. The Costs of a Dental ImplantCosts associated with the dental implant placement can be broken into several factors. First is the preparatory work that needs to happen. This may be the removal of unhealthy teeth, and it may include a bone graft to bulk up the bone. The next expense comes from the surgical procedure for placing the implant. Dr. James Krippaehne has put in countless hours of continuing education to ensure that you are getting a skilled placement. Dr. James Krippaehne will open the tissue, create space in the bone, and with precision, place the implant in such a way that it can grab the healthiest bone to be solidly in place. You do not want this to be done by someone without the specific training; placement is key. The remaining cost is the dental appliance that is placed over the implant; this may be a crown, a bridge, or a denture device. Customised pieces can be costly, but the end product is a flawless tooth that fits comfortably in your mouth. Health Issues and Dental ImplantsThere are some health issues that can make the success of dental implants fail. The issues will primarily be due to a decreased ability to heal. Patients who:
All of the health issues listed above are cause to have a decreased ability to heal. This not does exclude them from being able to get a dental implant. What it does mean is that we will need to create a course of action to get the patient in a healthy enough place before placement. This is why it is so important to discuss all health-related issues with Dr. James Krippaehne, even if the ailment seems unrelated to your oral health. We are happy to work with your physician to adjust medications or create a plan of action to help your body prepare for surgery. Our staff at West End Dental is happy to discuss these challenges with you and assist in preparing you for your implant surgery. Dental Implants are a simple solution that can protect your oral health, allowing you the freedom of using your teeth. We use our mouths constantly, we use them to chew, to speak, and to express ourselves, they are so prominent on our faces. We want our patients to feel good, look good, and show their self-confidence. A beautiful smile, with functional teeth, can give you that confidence. Let Dr. James Krippaehne show you how a dental implant can protect your smile. |
WE TREAT OUR PATIENTS WITH RESPECT We believe in educating patients about their treatment options and listening to their questions and concerns.WE BELIEVE IN HEALTHY TEETH FIRST We focus on prevention so that you keep your smile healthy. We provide excellent comfortable care for all procedures. |