Implant Restoration

Common Reasons For Oral Surgery

• Severe tooth pain
• Dental or facial trauma
• Extensive tooth decay
• Impacted wisdom teeth
• Bone loss from missing teeth
• Preparation for prosthetics
  

Common Types of Implant Dentistry

Dental Implant Therapy

Tooth loss can occur for many reasons, including periodontal disease, cavities, injury, or other reasons.

Dental implants are considered the gold standard for tooth replacement solutions.  

A dental implant traditionally consists of a titanium post to replace our natural tooth root, an abutment to serve as a stable connector between our dental implant and crown, and a new crown/tooth.

Unlike other tooth replacement options, dental implants are anchored into your jawbone, effectively stopping further bone loss and providing a solid foundation for the rest of your life.

Don’t Let Tooth Loss Or Other Oral Health Issues Control You!

To reclaim your life, make a reservation and Dr. Green and the smile team can help you choose the best option.

Single Tooth Implant and implant bridge

What is a dental implant? Think of it like a sturdy anchor for a replacement tooth. Our dental implants are full-sized, medical-grade titanium, a strong and safe metal. It's shaped like a screw and is placed directly into your jawbone. Over time, it bonds with the bone, providing a solid foundation, just like the root of a natural tooth. This fusion makes it perfect for holding a new tooth or teeth in place, giving you a smile that looks and feels natural.

Snap on Denture

Have you heard about snap-on implant dentures? Imagine dentures that click into place and stay secure without glue or adhesive. That's what snap-on implant dentures do. They are custom dentures designed to "snap" onto dental implants, small posts placed in the jawbone. This connection ensures the dentures don't slip or move around when you're eating or talking. So, with snap-on implant dentures, you can smile, laugh, and enjoy your meals without worrying about your teeth moving out of place.

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All-on-X Hybrid Bridge

What is a fixed implant bridge? All-on-X, also called (All-on-4^TM) zirconia hybrid bridge, is a strong tooth replacement option that replaces all your missing teeth. Instead of supporting this bridge with many individual tooth roots, we hold a certain number (like four, six, or eight) of implants. These implants are like strong metal anchors set into your jaw. The zirconia part? That's the super-tough, tooth-colored material that looks natural and is durable. This type of implant-supported bridge gives you a complete set of teeth that looks, feels, and functions like the real deal!

Bone Grafting

The bone loss in the first year after tooth loss is almost ten times greater than in the following years! A bone graft may be recommended to prevent bone recession or to replace bone associated with tooth loss or periodontal disease.  

Healthy bone is crucial for replicating our natural facial structure and supporting dental implants, ensuring their stability and preventing failure.

Our team works with area oral surgeons with different bone grafting types and techniques to meet your needs. Bone grafting material can be derived from many sources, including yourself or a donor.

After bone grafting material is in place, this area is sutured and allowed to heal for several months to allow the material to integrate into your jawbone.

Ridge Preservation or Augmentation

After a tooth is lost, the socket holding the tooth in place begins to slowly fill in with natural tissue. In some cases, this area doesn’t fill in with bone and instead will fill in with soft tissue or gum tissue.

Ridge preservation can be completed directly after tooth extraction to reduce the risk of severe bone loss.

Even if the teeth have been missing several years, additional bone grafting material can often be added in areas of severe bone loss to help recontour and reshape the missing bone space to allow dental implants.

During this procedure, your gums will be reflected and opened using our state-of-the-art laser, and bone grafting material will be inserted into these areas missing significant bone. Your gums will then be carefully sutured to promote proper healing.

Implant FAQ: Most commonly asked questions about dental implants

How Long Before Dental Implants Feel Normal?

Q: How long does it take for dental implants to feel like normal teeth?

The time it takes for dental implants to feel normal can vary from person to person, but generally, you can expect a few stages. After the initial implant placement, there's a healing phase that can last a few months. Once the implant is secure and the crown is placed, it may take a few weeks to a couple of months to fully adapt and feel "normal."

At our practice in Springfield, we focus on advanced implant-based restorative dentistry, aiming to make the process as smooth as possible for you.

When Is It Too Late to Get Dental Implants?

Q: When is it too late to get dental implants?

The good news is it's rarely "too late" to get dental implants for most people. However, dental implants' suitability can depend on factors like bone density, overall health, and oral hygiene. A lack of sufficient jawbone or certain health conditions may require additional treatments before you can get implants.

Here in Springfield, Dr. Green specializes in advanced implant-based restorative dentistry and has a track record of helping patients in various stages of life. 

Who Is Not a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

Q: Who may not be suitable for dental implants?

While dental implants are a versatile and effective solution for many people, they may only be ideal for some. Some factors that could make you less suitable include:

1. Insufficient Bone Density: Lack of adequate jawbone to support the implant.
2. Health Conditions: Uncontrolled diabetes, autoimmune diseases, or certain medications can affect healing and success rates.
3. Poor Oral Hygiene: Gum disease or consistent neglect of oral care can compromise implant success.
4. Smoking: It significantly affects healing and can reduce the success rate of implants.
5. Young Age: The jawbone may not be fully developed for younger patients.

At our Springfield practice, Dr. Green can conduct a comprehensive evaluation to determine if dental implants are the right option for you. There may be alternative treatments or preliminary procedures to prepare you for implants.

How to Clean Permanent Implant Dentures?

Q: How should I clean my permanent implant dentures?

Cleaning permanent implant dentures is crucial for maintaining their longevity and your oral health. The process is similar to natural teeth but may require some specialized care. Generally, you'll want to:

1. Brush daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush, focusing on the gum line as well as the dentures.
2. Use a non-abrasive toothpaste or a denture cleaner recommended by your dentist.
3. Consider an interdental brush or water flosser to clean hard-to-reach areas.
4. Rinse your mouth and dentures with an antiseptic mouthwash.
5. Regular check-ups are essential for professional cleanings and to check the fit and function of your implant dentures.

At our Springfield practice, Dr. Green specializes in implant-based restorative dentistry and provides personalized care instructions to each patient. During your regular visits, we can also professionally clean your implant dentures to ensure they're in optimal condition.

All in all my experience with the entire staff was outstanding! I highly recommend the Springfield Smile Doctor for all your dental care.
_{— Jo B. via Google ★★★★★}

Top Five Things to Know About Dental Implants