What are Dental Implants?
A dental implant is a tiny titanium threaded post that is surgically placed into the jawbone in the location of a missing tooth.
For the majority of patients, titanium is biologically compatible with the human body; as the implant site heals, the jawbone grows around it to lock it into place. This process is known as osseointegration.
An ‘integrated’ implant provides stability and support for a dental restoration to replace a missing tooth. A single missing tooth is replaced with an implant crown; multiple missing teeth may be replaced with one or more implants and restored with an implant bridge or denture.
Dental Implants in Alabaster
Dental implants have become a mainstream procedure in dentistry today. Dental implants are surgically placed by a dental specialist (oral surgeon or periodontist). Following surgical placement, our Alabaster general and cosmetic dentist Dr. Joseph Zanthos restores the dental implant(s) with a crown, bridge or denture.
Restored dental implants offer a natural-looking solution for replacing the function and smile appearance of missing teeth. Common dental implant restorations include:
Single Tooth Replacement with an Implant Crown
A single dental implant can be restored with an implant crown with no need for additional structural support from other teeth. It is generally the preferred approach over a traditional dental bridge, which involves drilling on the teeth on either side of the missing tooth to attach the bridge (known as the abutment teeth).
Replacement of Multiple Teeth
Implant Bridges
One or more dental implants may be used to attach to a fixed bridge appliance to replace multiple missing teeth when natural tooth support is not available.
Denture Stabilization
Dental implants are often recommended as an attachment for a removable partial denture or a complete denture. The denture is designed with special fittings that “snap” onto multiple dental implants that have been placed in the jawbone for support. The dental implants hold the denture firmly in place, thus eliminating the need for denture adhesives.
We love hearing our patients that have struggled with loose traditional dentures in the past tell us how much more they enjoy eating and smiling again because they are now confident that their implant denture will stay in place.
CEREC® Same-Day Dentistry Implant Restorations
Dr. Joseph Zanthos is a CEREC® Dentistry provider in Alabaster, Al. He is able to design and place a natural-looking CEREC® implant crown or bridge restoration in a single appointment, so you can smile bigger and sooner.
Costs of Dental Implants vs. Return on Investment
The cost of dental implant restorations can vary based on each patient's individual needs. They are a smart health investment, however. Because of the process of osseointegration (healthy bone growth around the dental implant), a dental implant can actually help the body preserve jawbone.
A missing tooth creates bone loss almost immediately after the tooth is lost and the bone continues to break down over time.
A dental implant is designed to stimulate new bone growth; the implant surgeon may also recommend a bone graft to assist with this process.
Are you ready to rebuild your smile with dental implants?
Schedule a Dental Implant Consultation with Local Alabaster Dentist Dr. Joseph Zanthos
Contact Premier Family Dentistry of Alabaster to schedule a complete dental examination and consultation with our restorative and cosmetic dentist, Dr. Joseph Zanthos.