At Scottsdale Cosmetic Dentistry, we understand and appreciate the frustration and discomfort of having missing teeth. If you seek an effective, long-term tooth replacement, dental implants at our Scottsdale office are an exciting option.
What Is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is a titanium post inserted into the jawbone and allowed to bond with it over several months. This process is called osseointegration. The fused post serves as the root for the lost tooth and supports the replacement tooth or teeth attached to it.
When osseointegration is complete, the implant is a permanent part of your mouth, just like your teeth. After several months, when the implant fully integrates, we’ll design a custom CEREC dental crown to restore your smile’s appearance and function.
Discover Dental Implant Benefits
Dental implants have been used since the 1980s and have revolutionized the way we approach missing teeth. Today, implants are the gold standard for tooth replacement, and with good reason!
Permanent Tooth Replacement
Dental implants are a long-lasting, durable solution securely anchored in your jawbone and can last a lifetime with proper care.
Preserves Jawbone Health
Implants stimulate the jawbone, preventing the bone loss that occurs after tooth loss to preserve a more youthful facial structure.
Restores Chewing Ability
Dental implants function like real teeth, so you can bite, chew, and speak naturally, so you can go back to eating all your favorite foods.
Looks and Feels Natural
Implants feel like the real thing and blend seamlessly with existing teeth for a natural appearance and confidence-boosting smile improvement.
Looks and Feels Natural
Implants feel like the real thing and blend seamlessly with existing teeth for a natural appearance and confidence-boosting smile improvement.
No Special Care Required
Implants don’t require any special care—regular brushing, flossing, and dental checkups are all that’s needed to ensure gum health and protect your implant.
Preserves Surrounding Teeth
Unlike dental bridges, which require altering adjacent teeth for support, implants are a standalone solution that doesn’t affect tooth structure.
What Is the Dental Implant Procedure Like?
Implant placement is a specialized procedure and requires intricate planning. First, Dr. Clark uses sophisticated digital imaging technology to determine the ideal location for placement. This step lets us fabricate a surgical guide in-office for precise dental implant placement with the utmost accuracy.
Next, we numb the treatment area to ensure a pain-free procedure. Then, our dentist expertly places the titanium post into your jawbone. Titanium is biocompatible, meaning your body easily accepts it, and bone and tissue will grow around it to create a strong, secure foundation for the restoration we attach to it.
Once the implant heals, Dr. Clark will create a customized same-day CEREC crown at our Scottsdale dental office. We carefully shape and color the crown to blend seamlessly with existing teeth. We will also schedule periodic checkups to monitor the implant and your oral health.
What dental implant options are available?
At Scottsdale Cosmetic Dentistry Excellence, Dr. Clark offers several options to replace missing teeth with dental implants, including:
Single-Tooth Implants
These implants replace a single tooth and are designed to restore smile integrity with a natural look and feel. An implant functions like a natural tooth and requires no special maintenance, so you can brush and floss as usual.
Implant Bridges
Implant bridges replace several missing teeth in a row. Nearby teeth support traditional dental bridges, but an implant bridge is supported by one or more titanium posts securely implanted in the jawbone.
Implant-Supported Dentures
Implant-supported dentures replace a full arch of missing teeth. Replacement teeth are attached to implants in the jawbone, which give the denture unparalleled stability. Slipping and shifting dentures are a thing of the past, and you can smile confidently and eat all your favorite foods comfortably.
All-on-X Implants
This option replaces a full arch of missing teeth with as few as four strategically placed dental implants. We expertly place the implants, and you’ll leave us the same day with a full set of temporary teeth you’ll wear as the implants heal over several months. After healing, we replace the temporaries with a beautiful, natural-looking custom denture that will never shift or move.
We understand there’s a lot to consider with dental implants, and we would be happy to schedule a consultation appointment to see if you’re a good candidate. Please call our Scottsdale dental office to get started!
Dental Implants Technology
Axeos CT Cone Beam Scanner
Some dental treatments, such as implants, require advanced planning. In these scenarios, we employ a CT cone beam scanner, which provides a panoramic view of a patient’s mouth and lets us visualize how the teeth and restoration options will fit together. Dr. Clark also recommends using the cone beam scanner every three to five years as part of a regular dental checkup because it allows for the early diagnosis of a wide range of potential dental problems.
Who Is a Good Dental Implant Candidate?
Many people with missing teeth are potential implant candidates. However, your dentist must ensure the jawbone is dense and strong enough to support the implant post and that you have good periodontal and overall health.
If you have gum disease, you will require periodontal treatment first. Once we restore your gum health, you may be a good candidate. However, certain medical conditions and treatments, including chemotherapy and radiation therapy, can eliminate you as a candidate, at least in the short term.
Once Dr. Clark has performed a comprehensive examination of your teeth and jaw and assessed your health, he will explore the various tooth replacement options available to you and recommend the one that best suits your needs.
