Dental Implant Restoration Options
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October 31, 2017
In terms of their ability to improve the health, function, and appearance of your smile, dental implants are the best replacement option for missing teeth. They prevent deterioration of the jawbone, keep the remaining teeth from shifting out of place, hold restorations securely in place, and offer a natural-looking appearance. In addition, dental implants can be used to replace a single missing tooth, several missing teeth, or all of the teeth in your mouth.
This is because dental implants can be used to hold all types of restorations in place. At North Pier Dental Associates, Dr. William Couvelis can attach a dental crown, bridge, or denture to dental implants. Read on to learn more about the dental implant restoration options available to our Chicago patients.
Replace a Single Missing Tooth with a Dental Crown
Whether you are missing a single tooth due to genetics, an accident, or an oral health problem, we can pair a dental implant with a dental crown to maintain your oral health. In this case, Dr. Couvelis will place the dental implant into the socket left by your missing tooth. If you are undergoing treatment long after you lost the tooth, he will need to create space for the implant.
After the implant is placed, you will require three to six months to heal. During this period, known as osseointegration, the surrounding bone and gum tissue will form around the implant, holding it securely in place. A temporary restoration may be placed during this time. Once the healing period is complete, Dr. Couvelis will place a custom-made crown that complements your surrounding teeth in size, shape, and color, filling in the gap in your smile and producing a natural looking appearance.
Replace Several Missing Teeth with a Bridge or Partial Denture
If you are missing two or more teeth in a row, a dental bridge is the best restoration option. A bridge consists of two or more prosthetic teeth that are fused together to replace a span of missing teeth. Unlike a dental crown, a bridge does not require a 1:1 dental implant ratio. We can typically use fewer implants than there are replacement teeth to hold your bridge in place.
A partial denture can be used to replace several missing teeth as well. The denture will be custom-made to fill in any spaces that have been left in your upper or lower arch due to missing teeth. We will then strategically place dental implants to hold the partial denture in place.
A Full Denture to Replace All of the Teeth in Your Upper or Lower Arch
If you are missing all of the teeth in your upper arch, lower arch, or both, a full denture is the best solution. In this case, Dr. Couvelis may use the All-on-4® technique to replace your teeth. This approach involves the placement of four dental implants in the arch. A full denture is then immediately attached to the implants, effectively restoring your smile.
Mini dental implants can also be used in those patients that lack sufficient jawbone density to support a full denture with traditional dental implants. This treatment option is also ideal for patients looking for affordability.
In either case, we will design a natural looking denture that complements your surrounding features and improves your overall appearance.
To find out if you are a good candidate for dental implant-supported restorations, request an appointment at North Pier Dental Associates today.
