If you're missing teeth, Dental Care of Wilmington can help you rebuild a complete smile with dental implants—state-of-the-art solutions that are durable, natural-looking, and designed to function like real teeth. Missing teeth can affect more than just your appearance; they can impact your ability to speak clearly and chew food properly. Additionally, missing teeth can lead to bone loss in the jaw over time, which can cause facial sagging and further dental issues.
Dental implants offer numerous advantages over traditional dentures or bridges. They are small, biocompatible posts typically made from titanium or zirconia that function as artificial tooth roots. Once placed in the jawbone, these implants fuse with the surrounding bone tissue through a process called osseointegration, providing a stable foundation for replacement teeth.
Unlike dentures or traditional dental bridges, implants do not rely on adjacent teeth for support and can replace one or more missing teeth without compromising healthy teeth. Dental implant-supported crowns, bridges, or dentures offer superior stability, allowing patients to speak clearly, eat comfortably, and smile confidently. Additionally, because the jawbone remains stimulated through regular chewing, it helps prevent bone loss associated with missing teeth.
Moreover, dental implants are highly durable, often lasting for many years with proper care. They integrate seamlessly into your existing teeth, providing a natural appearance that blends effortlessly with your smile. With Dental Care of Wilmington's expertise in implant dentistry, you can achieve a beautiful, functional, and long-lasting solution to missing teeth.
At Dental Care of Wilmington, we utilize advanced imaging technology such as CBCT scanning to plan your treatment accurately. This allows us to determine the optimal placement for your implants, ensuring precise positioning that maximizes stability and longevity.
The journey to a restored smile with dental implants typically involves several stages. Initially, a thorough evaluation of your oral health is conducted, including X-rays or CBCT scans to assess bone density and determine the best course of action. This may involve additional procedures such as bone grafting if necessary.
Once your treatment plan is established, the implant placement surgery takes place under local anesthesia. The implants are carefully inserted into the jawbone using precise techniques that minimize discomfort and ensure optimal positioning. After implantation, a healing period follows during which osseointegration occurs, allowing the implant to fuse with the surrounding bone tissue.
Once healed, the abutments (connectors) are attached to the implants, providing a stable base for your custom-made crowns, bridges, or dentures. Our skilled team at Dental Care of Wilmington ensures that every step is executed with meticulous attention to detail, ensuring your comfort and satisfaction throughout the process.
Throughout this journey, our experienced professionals are committed to making sure you feel informed and supported. We offer personalized care tailored to meet your unique needs and expectations, from initial consultations to post-operative follow-ups.
For patients missing just one tooth, a single-tooth implant offers an ideal solution. This involves placing a titanium or zirconia post into the jawbone to serve as an artificial root, which is then topped with a custom-made crown designed to match your natural teeth in shape, size, and color.
The implant is surgically placed directly into the bone socket where the missing tooth was located. Over time, the surrounding bone tissue grows around the implant, anchoring it securely in place. Once osseointegration is complete, an abutment is attached to the implant, which serves as a connector for the crown.
The crown is carefully crafted using high-quality materials that mimic the appearance of natural teeth, ensuring a seamless integration with your existing smile. This process not only restores functionality but also enhances aesthetic appeal, allowing you to enjoy a complete and confident smile once again.
Dental implants provide several advantages over traditional methods like bridges or partial dentures. They do not require alteration of adjacent teeth for support, preserving more of your natural tooth structure. Additionally, they offer superior stability compared to removable prosthetics, making them an excellent choice for long-term dental health and function.
For patients who have lost all or most of their teeth in one or both jaws, full arch replacement offers a comprehensive solution. This procedure involves placing four or six implants strategically across the jaw to support an entire arch of replacement teeth.
The All-on-4® or All-on-6® techniques are commonly used for full arch replacements. These methods allow for immediate loading of temporary teeth on the same day as implant placement, providing patients with a functional and aesthetically pleasing smile without lengthy wait times.
Dental Care of Wilmington specializes in these advanced implant procedures, utilizing cutting-edge technology and techniques to ensure precise placement and optimal results. Our skilled team works diligently to create custom-designed restorations that not only look natural but also feel comfortable and functional.
With full arch replacements, patients can enjoy the benefits of a stable, non-removable solution that eliminates the need for messy adhesives or nightly removal. This allows for improved confidence in social and professional settings, as well as enhanced chewing ability and overall quality of life.
One of the most significant advantages of dental implants is their ability to stimulate the jawbone, preventing bone loss that typically occurs when teeth are missing. When a tooth is lost, the surrounding bone no longer receives the necessary stimulation from chewing forces, leading to resorption (loss) over time.
Dental implants mimic the function of natural tooth roots by transmitting chewing forces into the jawbone, promoting bone growth and maintaining its density. This helps preserve facial structure and prevents the sagging or hollow appearance that can result from prolonged bone loss.
Additionally, implants provide a stable foundation for replacement teeth, preventing further shifting or drifting of adjacent teeth. By addressing missing teeth promptly with dental implants, patients can maintain better oral health and avoid more extensive treatments in the future.
Dental Care of Wilmington is committed to helping you preserve your bone health through advanced implant dentistry techniques. Our skilled professionals work closely with each patient to develop personalized treatment plans that prioritize long-term oral wellness.
In some cases, patients may require a bone graft before undergoing dental implant placement. This is often necessary when there has been significant bone loss due to prolonged tooth absence, periodontal disease, or other factors. A bone graft involves adding synthetic or natural bone material to the affected area to restore adequate volume and density.
The grafted material serves as a scaffold for new bone growth, promoting healing and integration over several months. Once sufficient bone has regenerated, patients can proceed with implant placement, ensuring optimal stability and longevity of their restoration.
At Dental Care of Wilmington, we employ state-of-the-art techniques for bone grafting procedures, utilizing high-quality materials and meticulous surgical skills to achieve successful outcomes. Our experienced team works diligently to ensure patient comfort and satisfaction throughout every stage of treatment.
By addressing bone loss through grafting when necessary, we can provide patients with a solid foundation for dental implants, enhancing both the aesthetics and functionality of their smiles.
Proper care and maintenance are essential to ensure the longevity and success of your dental implants. While implants themselves do not decay like natural teeth, they still require regular oral hygiene practices to keep surrounding tissues healthy.
Brushing twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush and flossing at least once a day helps remove plaque and bacteria that can accumulate around the implant site. Using interdental brushes or water flossers can also be beneficial for cleaning hard-to-reach areas effectively.
Regular dental check-ups are crucial for monitoring the health of your implants and detecting any potential issues early on. During these visits, our hygienists will perform thorough cleanings tailored to your specific needs, ensuring optimal oral hygiene.
Several lifestyle factors can impact the success rate and longevity of dental implants. Maintaining good overall health through a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals supports both general well-being and oral health.
Avoiding habits such as smoking or excessive alcohol consumption is also important, as these can compromise bone healing and increase the risk of implant failure. Regular exercise contributes to better circulation, promoting faster recovery after surgery.
If you grind your teeth at night (bruxism), wearing a custom-made night guard can protect both natural teeth and implants from excessive wear and tear. Our team at Dental Care of Wilmington can provide personalized recommendations based on your unique situation, helping you maintain healthy and functional dental implants for years to come.
By adhering to these guidelines and working closely with our dedicated professionals, you can enjoy the benefits of a restored smile with dental implants from Dental Care of Wilmington. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and take the first step towards reclaiming your confident smile!
If you've lost a tooth due to injury, decay, gum disease, or any other reason, we recommend dental implants to replace missing teeth. Dental implants come the closest to replicating the look, feel, and function of your natural teeth.
Dental implants are placed into the jawbone and mirror the same function as the root of a tooth. The procedure for dental implants is usually performed while a patient is sedated. Patients who undergo IV sedation must have an empty stomach and transportation home following the procedure. Most sedation patients will have little to no memory of the procedure occurring.
Generally, dental implants are made out of a biocompatible metal such as titanium. Biocompatible metals are also used for other common bone implants (such as shoulder, hip, and knee replacements). The visible portion of the implant is usually made out of porcelain and is custom-made to match your existing teeth.
Dental implants are designed to fuse to the bone, which makes them become permanent fixtures. Typically speaking, the success rate is nearly 100%. There are few cases in which the implant will not fuse as intended and must be removed. If this happens to occur, the procedure can be attempted again a few months later.
Dental implants are not usually covered by dental insurance, but may be covered under a patient's medical insurance. Our office and your insurance company can discuss coverage options with you based on your individual case and treatment plan.
It's easy... just take care of an implant as if it's a natural tooth! This involves regular brushing, flossing, and dental checkups. If you have any concerns about your implant, contact us immediately.
Ready to schedule your next dental appointment or have questions about our services?
Contacting Dental Care of Wilmington, LLC is easy! Our friendly staff is available to assist you with scheduling appointments, answering inquiries about treatment options, and addressing any concerns you may have. Whether you prefer to give us a call, send us an email, or fill out our convenient online contact form, we're here to help. Don't wait to take the first step towards achieving the smile of your dreams – reach out to us today and discover the difference personalized dental care can make.
