Whenever possible we prefer to use preventive treatments. If, however, you are already dealing with an incomplete smile, there’s no need to panic; our Saint Louis dental implant dentists offer the treatments you need to rebuild your oral health.
Visible restorations—traditional treatments, like dentures and bridges are designed to sit on top of the gum tissue (dentures are molded to fit the patient’s gum tissue, and bridges are held in place with small brackets that attach to adjacent teeth). Dentures and bridges only replace the visible portion of the tooth. Both of these treatments are great for patients who need to replace many teeth quickly, and, as we will see later, to use in conjunction with implant technology.
Invisible tooth root—the defining feature of the dental implant is the titanium post that extends into the gum tissue, and replaces the tooth root. Through a process called osseointegration, the titanium root will actually bond with the existing bone tissue over time.
Implant root applications—our team can replace one tooth at a time using individual dental implants. A single implant is made up of a titanium root, a connector piece called an abutment, and then the visible restoration that is permanently attached as a final step. Another way to use implant roots is to place a few of them along the jawbone and use these roots to hold a larger restoration, like a denture, in place. This is a great option for people who wear dentures, but want to achieve a more stable, permanent fit.
If you are missing a tooth or multiple teeth, you can restore your smile with state-of-the-art dental care. The best way to get started is to schedule a personal consultation with our Saint Louis dental implant dentists.