Dental Implants in Richmond, BC
Missing teeth can cause all sorts of problems. They can make you self-conscious, prevent you from speaking and eating comfortably, and can even negatively impact your oral health. The exposed gum tissue is more likely to become infected, which can actually lead to even more tooth loss. When it comes to replacing teeth in a way that considers both health and aesthetics, nothing does it better than dental implants. Dr. Ben Partovi has placed hundreds of dental implants, and so when it comes to filling in the gaps in your smile, he’s the person to see. Learn more about this amazing solution below and contact our office today for a consultation.
Dental Implant Placement
A dental implant is actually a small titanium alloy post that is placed directly into the jaw to mimic a tooth root. This is revolutionary because all other tooth replacement methods only restore a tooth above the gum line. These new roots not only provide a sturdy and secure base for your new teeth, they also help support your jawbone to keep it healthy and full as the years go by.
To place dental implants, Dr. Partovi will make a small incision in your gums and gently position the implant within the bone. Then during a period of about 4 to 6 months the dental implant will actually bond or integrate directly with the surrounding bone, making it even more secure. After the implant has fully integrated, you will return to Dr. Partovi to have a restoration placed on your dental implant(s).
Implant-Retained Crowns and Bridges
Much like traditional crowns and bridges, their implant-retained counterparts can be used to restore a single tooth or a row of missing teeth. These are ideal for people who don’t have enough dental structure to support traditional restorations and those who want a more permanent solution to tooth loss.
If you are having a single implant restored with a crown, the crown itself will be held on using a metal connector (similar to a screw) called an abutment. This will connect the crown directly to the titanium post. The crown itself will be made entirely of dental porcelain. Dental porcelain is fantastic because it is able to match every aspect of a natural tooth: shape, size, color, and strength.
For an implant-retained bridge, you would still have a crown connected to the implant, but it would be used to support a set of prosthetic teeth that sit above the gum line. The main difference between this and a traditional bridge is that healthy teeth don’t need to be filed down to hold the supporting crowns.
The end result with either restoration is a completely renewed smile that can last for decades with simple brushing, flossing, and regular checkups.
Implant-Retained Dentures
Do you have dentures that pop, click, slip, or irritate your gums? Whether you’re missing most of your teeth or all of them, dental implants can help. Using multiple posts, they can support a partial or full denture. The dentures themselves are still made of a gum-colored base attached to prosthetic teeth, but they are held in place with the strong titanium posts rather than just metal clasps or natural suction.
Implant-retained dentures are better than traditional ones in a multitude of ways:
- They support your jawbone just like your natural teeth, which will keep your mouth healthier as you age by preventing bone loss.
- They won’t slip, click, or pop as you talk or eat
- They allow for a much stronger bite force to enable patients to eat a wider variety of foods.
If you’re tired of your dentures making your daily life more difficult, contact our office today and ask about getting implant-retained dentures. Most of the time, the only regret people have is that they didn’t get them sooner!
All-On-4
If you are missing an entire arch of teeth, using the All-On-4 method, we can give you your smile back. How? All-On-4 uses four strategically placed implant posts to support a set of dentures. Two posts are placed at the front of the jaw where it is naturally thicker, and two more are placed at the back of the mouth at an angle. This enables them to provide maximum support. This method is ideal for people who are missing a large amount of teeth who don’t have enough healthy jawbone to support a regular implant-retained prosthetic.