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DENTAL IMPLANTS
Did you know over 200 million Americans are missing at least one tooth? If you are missing a tooth or need a tooth removed know that a dental implant is the best long-term solution. Dental implants more closely resemble natural teeth than any other dental solution and if properly cared for can restore your smile for a lifetime.
Dental implants offer several advantages compared to other dental prostheses for replacing missing teeth.
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Implants are fixed and permanent, meaning that they do not come in and out of your mouth
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Unlike traditional bridges implants don't require grinding down and compromising the health of adjacent teeth
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Dental implants help preserve your facial bone and esthetics by preventing the jawbone from shrinking once teeth are missing
Dental implant placement is a team effort between an oral surgeon and a restorative dentist. Here at Sherwood Oral Surgery we are the specialists in implant surgery and place hundreds of implants every year in Danville, VA. We perform the implant surgery, initial tooth extractions, and any bone grafting if necessary. And we can offer you these procedures with a range of anesthesia options including local anesthesia (numbing only) and IV sedation. After the implant has healed your dentist will then take an impression and fabricate the permanent crown. Your dentist can also make any temporary prosthesis needed during the healing process.
What Exactly are Dental Implants?
Dental implant restorations are typically composed of three parts:
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A titanium implant that functions as an artificial tooth root
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An abutment which connects to the implant and emerges through the gums
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A crown fitted atop the abutment to give the appearance of a natural tooth.
Depending on your needs, one implant could replace a single missing tooth while two or more implants can serve as a stable support for the replacement of multiple teeth. Additionally, four to six implants can serve as a foundation to replace an entire arch of teeth which is a service we are proud to offer the Danville community.
The Implant Process
The first step of your implant process is to schedule a consultation! At your consultation we will perform an oral exam and take radiographs to determine if you are a candidate for implants (don't worry, most people are!). Our cone beam CT scan will allow us to see 3-dimensionally how much bone is present for implant placement and determine the need for any bone grafting. It will also allow us to plan the surgery digitally and create precise surgical guides in specific cases. Often times an implant can even be placed the same day the tooth is removed. Our amazing front office staff will also cover the cost of a dental implant and process any insurance coverage you may have.
The implant surgery is then performed during which a state-of-the-art Biomet 3i titanium implant is placed. Initially this implant gains its stability from the threads of its screw, however over the next 3-4 months it will go through a process called osseointegration during which it fuses to the jawbone. This is why implants are such a great long-term solution and can last a lifetime! and though you have to wait for it to heal before the crown can be made your dentist can make any temporary prosthesis needed during this time. After this healing period we will test to make sure the implant is well integrated and then you are able to return to your dentist to take an impression and fabricate the permanent crown. Don't gamble with your implant needs and see Danville's only board-certified oral surgeons for your dental implant procedure!