Dental Implants for Front Teeth
Tooth loss compromises bite strength and function, and negatively impacts the appearance of the smile. The aesthetic effects of tooth loss are especially devastating when teeth are lost from the front of the mouth. Traditionally, missing front teeth could be replaced with a dental bridge or dentures. Now, patients can consider dental implants for missing front teeth.
Dental implants are the strongest and most durable restoration for tooth loss, and the only one that replaces both the roots of the tooth. Dentists at The Smile Center can help individuals in the Virginia Beach, VA, area determine if they are ideal candidates for dental implants for the front teeth.
Why Choose Dental Implants?
There are several reasons that our patients tend to prefer dental implants over traditional missing teeth treatments. Some of the most notable benefits of dental implants include:
- Superior strength and durability
- Comfortable fit
- Preservation of jaw bone tissues
- Ease of care
- Closest replica of the natural teeth
Dental Implant Candidacy
When considering whether a patient is an ideal candidate for dental implants, the most important factors are the patient’s overall oral health, and the strength and density of the jaw bone. If dental implants are being considered for the front teeth, bone density is especially important. Generally, the jaw structure at the front of the mouth is not as dense as the jaw structure at the back of the mouth. We need to determine if there is substantial bone tissue in place to support the dental implants.
Why Bone Density Matters
Bone density is essential because the success of dental implant treatment relies on osseointegration, which is the process of bone tissues fusing with the dental implants. To evaluate bone density, we take a series of x-rays and scans during the consultation process at our Virginia Beach practice.
If a patient has both good oral health and ample bone density, dental implants should be a viable treatment option. If not, patients need to consider other missing teeth treatments. Alternately, patients may opt to undergo restorative dentistry treatments and/or a bone graft to address issues and prepare the mouth for implant placement.
The Dental Implant Procedure
Dental implant treatment takes place over several stages, the first of which is the surgical placement of the implants.
Placing the Implants
Implants, which are tiny titanium screws, are inserted through the gum line and placed in the jaw beneath the site of tooth loss. After implants are placed, we wait several months before proceeding to the next stage of treatment. During this time the gum tissues heal and the implants fuse with the jaw.
Placing the Abutments
Several months after implant surgery, we perform a procedure to place metal abutments. Abutments are posts that attach to the top of the dental implants and protrude from the gum line to support dental restorations. To place the abutments we, once again, go in through the gum line. Once abutments are placed, we wait a couple of weeks for the gums to heal before proceeding to the final stage of treatment.
The Implant Restoration
The final stage of dental implant treatment is the placement of the dental restorations. Front teeth can be replaced with dental crowns, a fixed dental bridge, or a denture. The chosen restoration is designed to fit onto the abutments for maximum support and stability.
Contact Our Dentists
If you are interested in rebuilding your smile with dental implants, the dentists at The Smile Center can let you know if you are an ideal candidate for treatment. To learn more, send us a message at your earliest convenience, or call our Virginia Beach office at (757) 473-8482.