Do you have missing teeth? Are you self-conscious about your smile? Ask Dr. Stefan Speck about dental implants at Oxford Family Dentistry in Oxford, PA. Dental implants are dental restorations that replace one or more missing teeth. Patients with single missing or lost teeth can receive single dental implants. Patients with rows or full arches of teeth missing can receive implant-secured dental bridges or dentures.
The Benefits of Dental Implants in Oxford, PA
Implants have many advantages over removable dentures and traditional bridges. Dental implants can:
- Improve Your Speech: Missing teeth can make certain words difficult to pronounce. Unlike removable dentures that may slip, implants stay firmly in place. You can speak naturally without worry.
- Maintain Your Facial Structure: Your jawbone can shrink when you lost one or more teeth. Bone loss can cause problems like facial sagging which makes you appear older. Implants stimulate bone growth just like natural tooth roots to help you preserve your facial shape.
- Protect Your Oral Health: Implants don’t require altering nearby healthy teeth. They also help prevent remaining teeth from shifting out of place. Restoring missing teeth with implants can reduce the risk of gum disease in the surrounding area.
- Restore Your Bite: You can enjoy all your favorite foods again with implants. They provide nearly the same biting force as natural teeth. You can chew comfortably without restrictions once you’re used to your new teeth.
- Increase Your Confidence: Many patients report feeling embarrassed about missing teeth. Implants look and feel so natural that they can boost your self-esteem in social and professional situations. You no longer have to cover your smile because of gaps in your mouth.
If you have one or more missing teeth and are interested in dental implant treatment, contact Dr. Speck for a dental consultation. He helps his patients find the right type of dental implant restoration for their restorative needs.
Dental Implant Treatment
Getting a new implant restoration takes time and happens over several visits. Each step makes sure your new tooth or teeth work well. Here is what to expect during the process:
Consultation and Exam
The first step is meeting with Dr. Speck for a full exam. He will check your teeth, gums, and jawbone using digital X-rays. This helps him see if your mouth is healthy enough for an implant. He will let you know if you need any pre-treatment, like a bone graft or gum therapy.
A bone graft adds more bone to your jaw if you don’t have enough to support the implant. If you have gum disease, Dr. Speck will provide treatment to help your gums get healthy before moving forward.
Preparing Your Custom Implant
If your mouth is healthy and ready, Dr. Speck will take impressions of your teeth. These impressions go to a dental lab where a custom crown, bridge, or denture is made just for you. After that, an experienced oral surgeon places the titanium implant into your jawbone. This implant acts like a tooth root to hold your new tooth in place.
After the implant is placed, your bone naturally grows and fuses with it. This process is called osseointegration and can take 3 to 6 months. The implant becomes strong enough to support your new tooth during this time.
Final Restoration
Once the healing process is complete, Dr. Speck attaches a small connector called an abutment to the implant. This piece holds your custom crown, bridge, or denture in place. The final restoration will blend in with your other teeth, so it looks and feels natural.
Implants Before & After
Dental Implant FAQs
Learn more about dental implants in Oxford, PA, with answers to common questions about this restorative treatment:
Am I a candidate for dental implant treatment?
The best candidates for implant treatment are in good oral health and have sufficient bone tissue in the jaw. However, Dr. Speck will provide gum disease treatment or recommend bone grafting if needed. Patients will also need to keep up with their oral hygiene routine by brushing and flossing between their dental implants.
How long do dental implants last?
Dental implants are long-lasting restorations. The implant posts themselves are permanent. As long as patients keep their dental implants and their remaining natural teeth clean, their implants or implant restorations will last many years.
Can dental implants “fail”?
Dental implants have a success rate of 90 to 95 percent. But several factors contribute to the rare cases of dental implant failure.
Patients who smoke or use tobacco products have a higher chance of implant failure. Smoking restricts blood flow to the gums and makes it difficult for the implants to heal properly. Certain medical conditions like diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis also slow the healing process.
The most common cause of implant failure is gum disease. Patients who develop an infection after their dental implant treatment will notice a change in their implants.
Can you get dental implants with receding gums?
Yes. You can get tooth implants if you have receding gums. However, patients with receding gums may need to undergo a procedure known as gum grafting before getting their tooth implants.
The gum grafting procedure will increase the amount of gum tissue that is available to attach to the tooth implant. If you are considering tooth implants, consult with a qualified oral surgeon to find out if you are a good candidate for this procedure.
Is a dental implant procedure painful?
The dental implant procedure is generally not painful. Your dentist will numb the area with a local anesthetic. However, some patients may experience discomfort and some pain following the surgery. Most patients find that the discomfort is manageable.
Dr. Speck may recommend over-the-counter pain medications after treatment. He will also provide you with detailed instructions on how to care for your tooth implants after the procedure.
Will my surgeon put me to sleep during my dental implant procedure?
Oral surgeons will perform most tooth implant procedures with the patient under local anesthesia. This means that you will be awake, but the surgeon will numb the area around your teeth so that you won’t feel any pain. In some cases, you may get general anesthesia instead, which will put you to sleep. Your oral surgeon will only do this, however, if they need to place several or more tooth implants at once.
Restore Missing Teeth Today
Are you looking for a stable tooth restoration? Ask Dr. Speck about dental implant treatment today. Request a dental appointment with Dr. Speck on our website or call our office at 610.981.1320.