If you have one or more missing teeth, you might be thinking about investing in dental implants in Spring Hill. You have an exciting journey ahead of you! You can look forward to a beautiful, strong smile that could last you for the rest of your life. But did you know that there are different types of dental implants? Let’s talk more about the remarkable flexibility of this treatment.
Regular and Mini Dental Implants
Depending on your circumstances, your dentist may recommend either regular or mini dental implants to serve as replacements for the roots of your missing teeth. Regular implants are very sturdy and can be used in a wide range of situations. Mini implants are narrower and are a great fit for many individuals who have a narrow jawbone or who are missing small teeth at the front of their mouth. The procedure for placing mini implants is also less invasive than the procedure for their regular-size counterparts.
Planning Your Implant Procedure
Your dentist will thoroughly examine your mouth and use imaging technology to examine your jawbone. This information will be essential in determine which type of implants are right for you as well as how many implants you need. In some cases, an entire arch of teeth can be replaced with just four to six implants. Other patients may need more implants to provide the support that their new smile needs.
Restoring Your Implants
After your implants are placed in your jawbone, the time will come to restore them — that is, your dentist will attach artificial teeth to your implants in order to complete your smile. In some cases (as is often true with mini implants), it’s possible to do this on the same day that you receive your implants. For other patients, it’s necessary to wait a few months while the implant forms a strong, secure bond with the bone around it.
Your restoration may come in one of the following forms:
- A crown is ideal for replacing a single missing tooth. If you have a few missing teeth at different places in your mouth, you may need separate implants and the accompanying crowns to replace each one.
- A bridge is great for places in your mouth where you have a few missing teeth in a row. It works similarly to a traditional bridge, but it is supported by implants rather than your natural teeth.
- A full, implant-supported denture replaces an entire arch of teeth. In some cases, a traditional denture can be retrofitted to attach to implants.
Dental implants are an amazing tooth replacement option. If you would like to learn more about the details of this procedure and what you can expect while you’re on the road to a renewed smile, please get in touch with your local implant expert.
About the Dentist
Dr. Keith Chapman is proud to serve as your implant dentist in Spring Hill. He has undergone extensive training that equips him to restore his patients’ smiles. If you would like to speak to him about how implants may benefit you, please contact us at 615-302-1414.