Dental Implants Lee’s Summit, MO

Dental-Implants

Dental Implants Lee’s Summit, MO

Dental implants are fabricated to provide a foundation for replacement teeth that look, feel, and function like natural teeth. Implants offer the ability to have replacement teeth that are fixed in your mouth. One can have multiple implants or just one implant depending on the number of missing teeth. The person who has lost teeth regains the ability to eat virtually anything and can smile with confidence, knowing that teeth appear natural and that facial contours will remain intact.

The actual implant is a small titanium post that is placed into the jawbone where the tooth is missing. The bone bonds with the titanium, creating a strong foundation for artificial teeth. This process is called osseo- integration where the implant is beneath the surface of the gums undergoing this bond with the bone. In essence, the implant serves as the root of your tooth. After this initial placement of the implant, there is a healing process that takes place between 3-6 months.

Phase 2 begins after this healing process takes place. The implant is then uncovered and a small healing collar is placed. Dr. Bhoot will then begin restoring the implant with a crown. The actual placement of the implant is normally done by an oral surgeon or periodontist. Dr. Bhoot takes an impression of the implant by which posts or attachments can be connected and then finally a crown is fabricated. A crown sits over the attachment (abutment) which interconnects with the implant.

The entire implant procedure typically takes between 6-8 months for completion. During this process most patients do not experience any disruption in their daily life. Implants are commonly done on a day to day basis and the success rate is excellent (95%). Our team works very closely to help you with any questions you may have. The dental/radiographic exam as well a thorough exam of your health history allows us to determine whether one is a candidate for dental implants.

Restorative Dentistry

Restorative dentistry by definition is dentistry that involves rebuilding the teeth back to their ideal position, shape, function, and form to maintain proper chewing and speaking ability. There are many reasons why tooth loss occurs. It may occur due to periodontal disease where the foundation of bone and gum are deficient to support teeth. It may also be a result of tooth decay, fractures in the tooth, or even due to mal-alignment of teeth as indicated for orthodontic treatment. The implant procedure as stated above is one aspect of restorative dentistry.

Bridge

A bridge attaches artificial teeth to adjacent natural teeth, called abutment teeth. Bridges are either permanently attached (fixed partial denture), or they can be removable (removable partial denture).

Fixed bridges are applied by either placing crowns on the abutment teeth or by bonding the artificial teeth directly to the abutment teeth. Removable bridges are attached to the teeth with metal clasps or by precision attachments.

A bridge is recommended when there is a missing tooth and on either side of the missing tooth there exists natural teeth. The natural teeth on either side serve as anchors (abutments) which attach the missing tooth in the center. A traditional bridge is a 3 unit piece and there are a total of 3 crowns. However, there are many instances where there is more than one tooth missing in between the natural teeth. In that case, a bridge can still be fabricated. Fixed bridges are bonded into place and can only be removed by a dental professional. Removable bridges (partials) can be taken out and cleaned. Fixed bridges offer more stability than their removable counterparts.

There are many reasons why patients choose a bridge. A bridge helps support the lips and cheeks. The loss of a back tooth may cause your mouth to sink and your face to look older. However, the most important reason for a bride is to replace the missing tooth or teeth so that unusual stresses are not placed on the other teeth which can cause a number of harmful disorders.
An increased risk of gum disease has shown to be a major side effect of missing teeth.

What is involved with the bridge procedure?

If takes two or three appointments to complete. At the first appointment Dr. Bhoot will prepare the teeth on either side of the missing tooth by reducing a portion of the enamel and dentin.

Since the bridge must be prepared very accurately to ensure correct bite and to match the opposing tooth, impressions of the teeth are taken and sent to a lab where the bridge will be constructed.

The bridge is permanently cemented to the abutment teeth. The tooth in the center (missing tooth) is called a pontic. The pontic is the replacement tooth.

What types of bridges can be fabricated?

There are many different materials used to construct a bridge. They are usually made from gold alloys, semiprecious alloys, and or porcelain.

What type of maintenance needs to be done for a bridge?

A strong oral hygiene program needs to be in effect to up keep the health and function of a bridge. Home care involves brushing and flossing thoroughly to keep the surrounding teeth clean. This is important because it is the adjacent teeth which support the bridge.

Removable Partial Dentures

This is an alternative for replacement teeth when 3 or more teeth are missing in the upper or lower arch. This appliance is removable in that you can remove it at night or after meals to clean it. It consists of an underlying metal framework to which a plastic gum colored base is attached on which the replacement teeth sit. The partial has metal clasps which hook to the remaining teeth. Partial dentures come in different varieties including a metal-free flexible denture with metal free clasps as well. Precision attached partials are one of the more esthetic partials in that no clasps exist. Instead special attachments are placed on the crowns which anchor the partial in place. Dr. Bhoot can evaluate the type of partial which is best suited for each individual patient.

There are many questions that may come up with wearing a partial denture. Below are frequently asked questions.

Will I be able to eat with the denture?

Having replacement teeth should make it easier to chew evenly on both sides of your mouth. The recommendation is to start with eating soft foods, non-sticky foods until your mouth adjusts to the change.

How do I take care of the denture?

Initially it is best to take the denture out in an area where it will not break upon removing it. Use a mirror to help you. Brush the denture after eating to remove plaque build up. The recommendation is a soft bristled brush specially designed for partials where the bristles are shaped to clean the denture. There are many denture cleansers available on the market. You can check the ADA website for more information.

Will I be able to speak clearly?

With missing teeth it is often difficult to enunciate words because of loss of lip support. A partial often helps with that. However, initially it may feel bulky and therefore may alter your normal speech. In due time, your mouth will adjust.

Will my partial need adjustments?

After the initial delivery of the partial one may develop some minor sore spots which require adjustments by the dentist. This may involve adjustments to the bite or areas of the partial which are impinging on the soft tissue. Also over a period of time the gums and bone may shrink affecting the overall fit of the partial. It may become loose and may require a refitting to accommodate those changes in the mouth. It is strongly recommended that no adjustments be made at home as permanent damage can occur to the partial.

Complete Dentures

This type of prosthesis is necessary when all of the natural teeth have been lost due to periodontal disease, tooth decay, or trauma. With the aid of a denture, improvement of one’s facial profile, musculature, and overall speech is highly improved as well as the support of the TMJ joint. There are various types of complete dentures.

conventional full complete denture is placed only after the teeth have been removed and the tissues have healed over 6-8 weeks following the tooth extractions. If one already wears a complete denture and would like a replacement than there is no waiting period involved. It normally takes several short appointments to fabricate a precise fitting denture. Over that process the patient can take part in selecting the shape of the tooth as well as the shade.

An immediate denture is a type of denture in which the patient is not without teeth during the healing period. The back teeth are generally removed and the teeth in the anterior are preserved until the denture is ready to be delivered. That is the main advantage with this type of denture. Some of the negatives are the patient is unable to view their denture until it is delivered. Also the denture fit may change within 6 months as the gums have healed and may have shrunk. A refitting is normally required at this point.

An implant supported denture is one in which the denture is not retained solely by the anatomy of the ridge and the soft tissue. In many patients where the ridge, especially in the mandible, is not sufficient to hold a denture properly, implants are placed to anchor the denture and provide extra retention. These may also be placed in the maxilla if needed.

We provide quality general, denture and dental implant services to people from all over the greater Kansas City, Missouri area.

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