Regular dental visits are essential to make sure oral health problems from tooth decay to oral cancer are detected and treated in a timely manner. At our office, your oral health is our paramount concern. We want to make sure your teeth stay healthy, function well and look great! From regular cleanings and exams to advanced restorative treatments, all of your routine dental needs can be met right here.
If you have recently dealt with an injury or disease that affected your oral health, there are options available like dental implants Winchester KY to recover the smile you once had. You may even be able to achieve a better smile than the one you had.
Dental implants Winchester KY make it possible to renew your smile if you have lost some teeth. There are several options when it comes to dental implants, depending on how many teeth need to be replaced: just one tooth or several teeth in a row.
How do dental implants work?
A dental implants Winchester KY is a metal post, usually made of titanium, which replaces the root portion of a missing tooth. Your dentist will then place a replacement tooth to the post, which can be permanently attached or removable. Permanent replacement teeth are more stable and feel more like natural teeth.
An ideal candidate for dental implants:
Is a non-smoker
Has maintained good oral health
Has healthy gums with no signs of gum disease
Single or Multiple Dental Implants
Implant bridge dental implants Winchester KY are very versatile. If you’re missing one tooth, one implant and one replacement tooth will take care of your problem. If you’re missing several teeth in a row, a few strategically placed implants can support a permanent bridge. Similarly, if you have lost all of your teeth, a full bridge or full denture can be permanently fixed in your mouth with a strategic number of implants.
Dental Implants vs. Dentures and Bridges
Unlike dental implants, bridges and dentures are not fixed to the bone. This can result in them being unstable, making it difficult to eat or smile with the confidence you want. Dental implants look, feel, and act more natural, just like your natural teeth.
They also have a stronger biting force. Implants do not rely on neighboring teeth for support, which is definitely an advantage since this means they won’t compromise the health of your surrounding healthy teeth. Implants are also likely to last a lifetime, whereas bridges are only expected to last seven to ten years and even less if a root canal is required.
Here are some of the most common types of implant materials:
Titanium – This material is by far the most preferred material for dental implants, as it is proven to encourage the osseointegration process and is comparatively more affordable. One week after the implant surgery, the bone starts to fuse to the titanium post, and the process continues for the rest of one’s life.
Tooth implants made from titanium and titanium alloy have a success rate of 95% and can last a lifetime with proper care. Titanium implant usually consists of two parts: the implant screw, which replaces the tooth root, and an implant abutment, which connects the screw to the crown. This two-piece system allows titanium implants to be placed deep into the human bone separately.
Zirconia – Having been recently discovered for use in implant placement, zirconia has proven to be a promising material. Zirconia dental implants are most often recommended for patients allergic to titanium. Zirconia implants are mainly one-piece implants that can be completed in one session. However, they can be harder to insert compared to titanium implants.