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Lucke Dental is the premiere dental practice in Fayetteville, AR. Our blog is meant to educate our patients and anyone looking for dental information

Are you in need of a tooth replacement?

posted: March 9, 2020
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Dental implants are the top tooth replacement option today. They offer unsurpassed stability for a crown, bridge, or denture, allowing your new teeth to fit just like they should from day one. Are you in need of a tooth replacement?

Dental Implants Versus Crowns, Bridges, and Dentures

In eligible patients, dental implants have a success rate of around 95 percent. They can support a crown, bridge or denture — but these prosthetic devices do not require implant retention. A denture not supported by dental implants relies on suction, denture adhesive, clips, or brackets for stability. A fixed bridge is made of crowns attached together and requires the modification of the surrounding natural teeth for stability.

What’s the difference between a tooth replacement that’s retained by dental implants and one that’s not? A lot. Some of the most apparent include…

Dental implants promote better oral health, as they stimulate the jaw bone to prevent degeneration and promote continued strength
When natural teeth are present, dental implants complete the smile without the modification of surrounding teeth
Titanium dental implants fuse with the jaw bone, becoming one with your body in a process known as osseointegration
Because the jaw bone stays healthy and whole, the prosthetic device on top does not require frequent refitting
No need for messy denture creams to provide stability
When properly maintained, dental implants can last a lifetime

Advances in Implant Dentistry

The process for traditional dental implants takes up to a year to complete and may not be an ideal option for every patient. People who have experienced a lot of jawbone degeneration due to their tooth loss, for example, may require significant bone augmentation before dental implants. Recent advances in implant dentistry provide options for people who desire improved stability for their tooth replacement but do not wish to commit to traditional dental implants.

Mini dental implants are just what they sound like — dental implants, but smaller. These devices replace missing teeth without requiring the months of healing for osseointegration to take place. Mini dental implants can be used to replace newly missing teeth or to secure an existing denture that doesn’t fit quite right.

There are three main types of implants:

• The root implant
• The plate form implant
• The subperiosteal implant 

The root implant—by far, the most popular—is the most effective because it mirrors the size and shape of a patient’s natural tooth. This implant is often as strong as the patient’s original tooth. The implant or artificial root is placed into the jawbone under local anesthesia, then allowed to heal and integrate with the bone. Once the healing process is completed and the jawbone is attached to the implant, the patient returns to the dental office where the implant is fitted with the new tooth. This process generally takes anywhere from three to eight months.

The plate form implant is ideal in situations where the jawbone is not wide enough to properly support a root implant. The plate form implant is long and thin, unlike the root implant, and anchors into thin jawbones. It is inserted the same way as a root implant. In certain cases, the plate form implant is immediately fitted with the restoration without waiting for the healing process to run its course.

The subperiosteal implant is used when the jawbone has receded to the point where it can no longer support an implant.

Are you wondering whether or not you are a good candidate for traditional or mini dental implants? The only way to know for sure is to schedule an appointment with your cosmetic dentist in Lucke Dental. Contact us today.