Dental Implants are the best alternative to your own teeth and can provide a lifetime of excellent chewing and aesthetics. Patients who have been treated with implants are able to chew all the foods they desire and no longer have to suffer the embarrassment of having their teeth come loose in public.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are the best alternative to natural teeth. A dental implant is a replacement for the lost root of a tooth. Once the root of the tooth is replaced with an implant, then a new crown can be made over the implant to provide a new life-like tooth (see illustration). Dental implants can be used to replace single teeth, multiple teeth, and to secure loose dentures. Dental implants have been used successfully for more than 30 years. The development stage of dental implantology ended more than two decades ago, and research studies have clearly established the safety and effectiveness of dental implants.
Dental Implants Can:
- replace missing teeth
- tighten loose dentures
- reduce or eliminate sore spots caused by dentures
- eliminate the need for denture adhesives
- prevent bone loss that occurs after a tooth is lost
- prevent the shaving down of healthy teeth for conventional crowns
- replace dentures with permanent teeth
- provide patients with the confidence of real teeth
- allow patients to eat all the foods they enjoy
Can I afford dental implants?
If you can afford conventional dentistry, then you can afford implant dentistry. At our office, you can have a single tooth implant and crown for about the cost of a three-tooth bridge. At Echo Ridge Dental our goal is to provide treatment to patients that is affordable. There are many different options that patients have when choosing dental implants. We can customize your treatment so that you can benefit from dental implants.
Who is a candidate for dental implants?
- People in good general health
- People approximately 15 years and older
- People who would like increased chewing efficiency
- People with loose dentures
- People with missing teeth
What does getting dental implants involve?
The process of getting implants requires a number of visits over several months.
X-rays and impressions (molds) are taken of the jaw and teeth to determine bone, gum tissue, and spacing available for an implant. While the area is numb, the implant will be surgically placed into the bone and allowed to heal for 2-6 months. At Echo Ridge most implants that we use do not require a second surgery which saves you time and money. Therefore, after the initial healing of 2-6 months impressions can be made for your new crowns. Approximately 3 weeks later you will recieve your new crowns.
You will receive care instructions when your treatment is completed. Good oral hygiene, eating habits, and regular dental visits will aid in the life of your new implant