What is a Dental Implant?
What is an Implant?
Implants are making their way to mainstream dentistry due to the universal nature of the implant. Imagine being able to replace a tooth that was extracted years earlier. What if you were able to get more retention to an existing denture? These are just a few of the amazing ways dental implants can improve someone’s ability to eat and chew. Coupled with a talented eye and a great lab technician our dentists at Stubbs Dental are able to take the implant prosthesis into cosmetic dentistry and redesign someone smile in a day. It is truly cutting edge and amazing how life altering they can be. As advancement continuing, so do patients success with implants.
Okay, okay, so you're not needing full mouth reconstruction but implants might still be in your future. Implants are universal and can be used in many different ways, meaning that once an implant attaches to the bone, and if taken care of, will last forever. It is seldom any dentistry can be associated with that kind of guarantee. Implants can be used as an alternative to root canal therapy or fix a bridge when two or more implants are placed, giving back whole quadrants of the mouth that was otherwise vacant, relieving the need of unwanted partials.
So what is an implant? Basically, an implant is a titanium screw that attaches itself to the bone. The procedure can be done while a patient is awake or asleep and only take about 30 minutes. We then wait 3-6 months depending on where the implant is placed to uncover and finish the process. Once we have determined that the implant has integrated successfully, (which happens 98% of the time) we uncover and expose the implant, attach a post that we call an abutment, impressions are taken and later a crown is placed.
Are you a Candidate for Implant Dentistry at Stubbs Dental?
The best way to make absolutely sure you are a candidate for dental implants is to come into Stubbs Dental for a free consultation. This allows our doctors to take necessary x-rays and a provide you with an oral exam to check the bone where the dental implant will be placed. This is an important step because the bone will determine what size and type of implant we will be placing. Actually, most people are candidates for implants but it is important to be able to have a conversation about what implants can do for you.
Implant Options at Stubbs dental:
Single implants:
A single implant takes the place of the root of the tooth. It can best be described as a titanium screw placed into the bone. It then attaches itself to the bone over the course of 3-6 months until it is ready to have a permanent crown placed. It can be done the same day of extractions as a tooth replacement solution or instead of root canal therapy. Although permanent crowns can’t be placed the same day, we will be providing a temporary device, flipper or temp crowns same day as extraction. Single implants are a permanent fixed solution.
Implant bridge:
Implants are placed the same as with single implants but when two or more are needed in the same quadrant and a fixed bridge is placed to fill the area or areas or missing teeth. Done when two or more teeth are needing to be replaced in one quadrant of the mouth. This is intended to replace the need for partials.
Snap in dentures:
Can be done for a single arch or both arches. 2-4 Implants placed into the bone per arch, housings are attached to the denture that then attaches to the implants for better hold and retention. Relieving the need for adhesive or worry that dentures will come out. Upper or lower solution, very popular among patients already in dentures.
All-on-4 fixed Hybrid Dentures or Bridge:
A very popular procedure that allows patient facing total teeth replacement a fixed solution. Teeth are removed completely and 4-8 implants are placed in the bone. A temporary device or denture is fixed to the implants. 6 months after treatment permanent bridges are placed. No need to remove, brush as you would your natural teeth.
We want our patients to feel comfortable with us at Stubbs Dental. If you have any questions, curious about pricing, or concerns we are happy to help. We currently have two locations for your conveniences in Bountiful, Utah and Layton, Utah.
