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Implants are a better option for patients who don’t want conventional bridges where the teeth adjacent to a missing space are prepped down.  They are also preferred over full or partial dentures where you have a cumbersome appliance in your mouth while speaking or eating.  Implants can also preserve bone by replacing where the root of the tooth engages the jaw.  When your jaw shrinks you loose the boney support, making one look older.

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The majority of implants today are comprised of titanium metal.  Titanium is biocompatible and is the most common implant material on the market today. There are different grades from 1 to 5 of titanium or titanium alloy used for the implant and component of implant abutment.  The implant surface is also treated to aid in the integration of the implant into the bone.

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The dental implant is comparable to a screw which integrates into the bone.  This will serve as the support or anchor for the implant crown.  After the implant has integrated and the bone has healed, the implant will have a healing cap placed to shape the gum tissue. While the majority of implants are performed this way, there are options for immediate placement implants.  This provides a shorter healing and wait time.  

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A dental implant abutment will be placed to serve as the connection to where the dental implant crown will be placed over.  There are two ways to attach the crown to the abutment: screw retained or cementable.  Use and care for your dental implant as you would your regular tooth.

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MINI IMPLANTS, SHORT IMPLANTS AND OVERDENTURES

Mini implants are less than 3mm in width and often one solid

piece with a ball type structure that snaps into a denture. They

can also be used in narrow spaces for single tooth replacement.

Short implants can be used where there is not enough bone

length, avoiding additional procedures such as a sinus lift.

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SURGICAL GUIDES IN DENTISTRY

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Many of our implants can also be placed with digital 3D computer guided technology.  This technology 3D prints a surgical template to place the implant with accurate precision.

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PORCELAIN DENTAL IMPLANTS

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Porcelain zirconia dental implants are a newer holistic implant material that many surgeons and dentists are not yet familiar with.  Porcelain dental implants are becoming the choice material for patient with certain allergies. 

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TOOTH EXTRACTIONS

In the event the tooth is broken down beyond saving we will do our best to keep you comfortable during tooth removal.  If there is an active infection around the tooth needing removal you may need to be on a course of antibiotics before the tooth can be removed.

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BONE GRAFTING/ SOCKET PRESERVATION

We are happy to discuss your options of maintaining a healthy level of supporting bone after a tooth is removed.  There are a variety of methods to attain this goal using different product choices.  Please call our office to schedule a consultation.