Why Dental Implants Are Necessary for Anyone Who Wants a Flawless Smile Are you missing one or more teeth? Do you suffer with an ill-fitting denture or bridge? Do you want a painless solution at an affordable price? Forget about soaking dentures overnight and waking up to a toothless smile. Enjoy the confidence that comes with a beautiful smile 24 hours a day. The American Dental Association (ADA)1 reports that dental implants are one of the best ways to replace missing or decayed teeth, restore bone structure, and prevent bone loss. With a 98% success rate according to WebMD2, dental implants are your path to a stunning smile!

WHY IMPLANTS? Gaps in your smile are unattractive, and missing teeth make simple actions like talking and eating difficult. But did you know that missing teeth actually cause bone loss in your jaw? According to the Silberg Center for Dental Science3, it’s true — bone loss as the result of missing teeth can occur around the mouth and jaw and shrink the contours of the jawbone, producing wrinkled lips and a recessed mouth and chin. In a nutshell, missing teeth make you seem older! Cosmetic dentists are trained to solve these problems with dental implants. Millions of people already have dental implants, and that number increases by 300,000 people each year according to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. That many people can’t be wrong! Dental specialists combine art and science to create a perfect, lasting smile at an affordable price. Dental implants provide a practical, effective, and safe alternative to traditional bridges or dentures. The benefits of dental implants include: Things You May Like • A more youthful appearance • Better oral health, with no more cavities (and fewer new ones!) • Confidence when speaking or eating • Support for your jawline and facial structure • Immediate, permanent results • A fabulous smile with realistic teeth What more could you ask for? Join the millions who have already enhanced their lives by choosing this simple dental procedure.

WHAT ARE IMPLANTS? Implants are small titanium posts inserted into the bone where the tooth’s root used to grow. The titanium is biocompatible, which allows it to fuse with the bone, keeping the bone living and stimulated. Your new teeth are attached to these titanium posts. A dental implant can replace one damaged tooth or an entire mouthful of them.

PERMANENT DENTAL IMPLANTS If you’re missing a number of teeth, consider the All-on-4 Dental Implant4. A full arch of beautiful upper and/or lower teeth is secured with only four implants. According to Wikipedia, this option requires fewer implants, meaning costs can be lower than replacing each tooth with an individual implant. Imagine – during a single appointment, you could get implants and a full set of non-removable replacement teeth! With full sedation, the procedure is pain-free. Always do your homework when it comes to your health. Don’t choose any random dentist to provide your implants. Instead, seek out a qualified, experienced implant specialist. You deserve care that meets your long-term functional and cosmetic needs.

What is Dental Cone Beam CT?

Dental cone beam computed tomography (CT) is a special type of x-ray machine used in situations where regular dental or facial x-rays are not sufficient. It is not used routinely because the radiation exposure from this scanner is significantly more than regular dental x-rays.  This type of CT scanner uses a special type of technology to generate three dimensional (3-D) images of dental structures, soft tissues, nerve paths and bone in the craniofacial region in a single scan. Images obtained with cone beam CT allow for more precise treatment planning. You should wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing to your exam. You may be given a gown to wear during the procedure. Metal objects, including jewelry, eyeglasses, dentures and hairpins, may affect the CT images and should be left at home or removed prior to your exam. You may also be asked to remove hearing aids and removable dental work. Women will be asked to remove bras containing metal underwire. You may be asked to remove any piercings, if possible. Cone beam CT is not the same as conventional CT. However, dental cone beam CT can be used to produce images that are similar to those produced by conventional CT imaging. With cone beam CT, an x-ray beam in the shape of a cone is moved around the patient to produce a large number of images, also called views. CT scans and cone beam CT both produce high-quality images. Dental cone beam CT was developed as a means of producing similar types of images but with a much smaller and less expensive machine that could be placed in an outpatient office. Cone beam CT provides detailed images of the bone and is performed to evaluate diseases of the jaw, dentition, bony structures of the face, nasal cavity and sinuses. It does not provide the full diagnostic information available with conventional CT, particularly in evaluation of soft tissue structures such as muscles, lymph nodes, glands and nerves. However, cone beam CT has the advantage of lower radiation exposure compared to conventional CT.

WHAT ABOUT COST? One big concern people have when considering dental implants is the cost. The plain truth is, your mouth is like a snowflake, different from everyone else’s. Your treatment plan and your dental implants will be unique. Schedule a free consultation to receive an accurate estimate of what your custom dental implants will cost. Payment plans may be available and some dental insurance plans may even help cover some costs. Once you discover the world of possibilities, you will not want to live another day with missing or decayed teeth. If you’re looking for affordable dental implants, call Tellissi Family Dentistry today!