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Dental implants are among the greatest modern dental advancements used to replace a missing tooth. Compared to dentures, crowns or bridges, dental implants are one of the most popular methods for teeth restoration, used by over 3 million people in the United States and rising each year.
This method for replacing teeth is widely favored because they are very stable, strong and can last a lifetime if properly cared for.
Dental Implant Anatomy
The dental implant consists of 3 different pieces that are placed at different times during the course of 6 months. This widely depends on how long it takes for your jawbone and gum tissue to heal.
- Implant Fixture – This piece of a dental implant serves as the root for your new tooth. The implant fixture will be attached to your jawbone and when the gums and bone heal in a process called osseointegration, the abutment piece will be attached.
- Abutment – This piece connects the implant fixture and the replacement tooth. This piece is permanent but can be removed by your doctor.
- Replacement Tooth – This piece is the is the prosthetic tooth that is made to look like your natural surrounding teeth.
At Dr. Bram’s office, we recognize that different patients have different needs. We offers a variety of replacement options at each of our locations, ensuring your smile recieves the highest quality care possible. Depending on how many teeth you are missing, each option below is able to provide a resolution.
Single Tooth Replacements – This tooth replacement method is ideal for patients who have 1 tooth to replace. This approach will replace a single tooth without damaging neighboring teeth. The root of the implant will integrate with the jawbone creating similar results to an original tooth.
Multiple Tooth Replacements – This option is great for patients who are missing more than 1 tooth. During treatment, Dr. Bram will create multiple custom prosthetic dental implants that resemble the other teeth in your mouth. The end result is a beautiful, natural looking smile.
Full-Mouth Reconstruction – If you are missing all of your teeth, or if you’ve worn dentures and are looking for a more stable option, Dr. Bram can restore function and aesthetics to your entire smile with a personalized full mouth reconstruction plan. While this can be a lengthy process, our patients leave with a fully restored smile and regained self-confidence in the look of their smile.
Advanced-Platelet Rich Fibrin (A-PRF)
In addition to comprehensive dental implant treatment, Dr. Bram has introduced some exciting new biotechnology into his practice of implant dentistry, oral surgery, and periodontal surgery. Advanced-Platelet Rich Fibrin, or A-PREF is the newest technology for improving the success rate of hard & soft tissue grafting treatments. This process uses a small sample of the patient’s blood to bond grafted tissue in place.
A-PRF notably accelerates wound healing; thereby, significantly reducing the risk of postoperative infection, excessive pain, and immoderate swelling.
Platelet Rich Fibrin has been extensively used for several years in heart surgery, orthopedic surgery, plastic surgery, and brain surgery. By applying this innovative treatment to dental implant treatment, our implant dentist can help patients enjoy long lasting success.
What are the Advantages of Dental Implants?
Dental implants offer more added benefits to your smile than any other tooth restoration option. Some of these advantages include:
Protect & Preserve Healthy Bone
The jawbone requires constant stimulation from the tooth’s root. When you lose a tooth, the natural stimulation that it provides is removed, leading to deterioration of the jawbone. Over time, this provides detrimental consequences to your overall health, the structure of your face and more. Dental implants are the only restoration alternative that stimulates the jawbone with an artificial tooth root, preventing bone loss.
Dental Implants Last a Lifetime
Tooth restoration options such as bridges or dentures only last 5-10 years and would need to be replaced, according to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. Alternatively, if cared for properly, dental implants can last a lifetime, eliminating the cost of replacing a removable restoration in the future.
Enjoy Favorite Foods
If you have dentures or bridges, you can find yourself having a difficult time consuming your favorite foods such as steak or apples because of the risk of your denture falling out mid-bite. With dental implants, you can once again enjoy the natural comfort and stability of a real tooth and enjoy an unrestricted diet with ease.
What’s Osseointegration?
Osseointegration is the structural and functional connection between the artificial titanium based tooth root of the dental implant and the existing bone in the patient’s mouth.
Titanium is widely used as the material in an implant because the body does not identify it as a foreign material. After a dental implant root has been placed into the jawbone, the osseointegration process occurs over time.
The osseointegration process gives the added stability and comfort that makes the implant stable to withstand the force of biting, speaking or chewing. Determining the success of the dental implant process relies on the outcome of this development.
Learn More about Dental Implants with Dr. Keith M. Bram
Dental implants offer many benefits that restorations such as dentures or bridges can’t. Dr. Keith Bram will help you regain your confidence to smile with dental implants. He serves the areas of St. Charles, South Elgin, Elgin and Sleepy Hollow, IL. Contact us today and schedule your dental implant consultation today.