If you are missing just a single tooth, it can be critical to see about your replacement options as soon as possible. When teeth are missing, the neighboring teeth often have a tendency to shift or twist out of their preferred alignment and move toward the newly formed gap. This can have a cascading effect and pull additional teeth out of alignment and have drastic effects on your ability to chew and can lead to additional tooth loss. Call Riverview Dental now so that we can review all of your options and help you decide on the best treatment plan to fit your needs.

The Consultation

At your initial consultation, we will want to make sure that we understand the total picture behind your dental care. This includes your family and medical history and a comprehensive medical exam. It is important to understand why you lost the tooth in the first place.

Many patients lose teeth as the result of an athletic injury or car accident, but sometimes that tooth was only dislodged in that event when there was already a more serious underlying issue. If this is the case, we want to make sure that we can correct all of your dental issues, so you have a happy and healthy smile for years to come.

In addition to reviewing your history and current condition, our staff will also assess the underlying bone density and health of your gums to see if you are a good candidate for dental implants, bridges, dentures, or other options. While dental implants are the preferred route of treatment, it is important to make sure that you are aware of all your options.

The Implant Decision

Our friendly staff will work with you to help explain the benefits and drawbacks of each approach in your tooth replacement journey. Some of the things that we will discuss with you that are unique to implants are their ease of care and the way in which they help to build the underlying bone, while other techniques may see the deterioration of that bone.

Additionally, it is important to understand that in order to receive dental implants, there is an operation and that the process can take a few months until it is completed. However, the amount of time that it takes is often far outweighed by the performance of an implant, the security of the implant, and the overall health benefits. Be sure to ask any questions that you have about implants or any of the other tooth replacement options.

Types of Dental Implants

Dental implants can be used in a number of different types of restoration. These include the following:

Single dental implants. These are used to replace individual missing teeth and require one implant post for every prosthetic tooth.

Implant-supported bridges. These use the design of a conventional dental bridge and place it onto dental implant posts. This eliminates pressure on neighboring teeth as is usually the case with traditional bridges. This type of dental implant is usually recommended for patients with several missing teeth and can be supported on just two implant posts.

Implant-supported dentures. Again, these take the design of conventional dentures but place them onto implanted posts for additional stability and security. This type of implant can be placed on anything from four to eight implant posts and is permanently attached, meaning that there is no need to remove it for cleaning or eating.

Specific Implant Benefits

After researching implants, many of our patients come into the office with their decision already made. Implants offer so many significant benefits that other approaches just cannot claim. Some of these are:

· Implant appearance, fit, and function like natural teeth

· Implant role in preventing bone loss and maintaining facial shape

· Care routine does not differ from your natural teeth

· They can be used for a single tooth or complete mouth replacement

· With proper care, they can last for a lifetime

· Prevent other teeth from shifting and the need for orthodontics

· Do not slip or fall out as dentures can

Are Implants Right for You?

There are a variety of factors that play into your ability to wear dental implants. The only way to know if implants are right for you is to call Riverview Dental today and schedule your consultation. Our staff will work with you to identify areas of concern and how these can be mitigated or other options that might be better for you.

Overview

If you are considering dental implants to replace your permanent teeth, call Riverview Dental today and get the smile you deserve.