With dental implants, you can get a brand-new tooth that looks and feels like the real thing! At Bucks County Smiles in Yardley, we are leaders in integrative restorative dentistry with expertise in dental implants. Dr. David Faust is an expert in dental implants, along with a host of other restorative treatments, and will help you achieve the smile you’ve always wanted.
Dental implants are considered the standard of care for missing teeth today. They consist of a jaw implant that supports a new, artificial tooth or appliance. If you have only lost one tooth, your dental implant will support a crown as an artificial tooth replacement. If you have more than one tooth that needs replacing, dental implants can support secure, permanent dental bridges and non-removable dentures that look and act like natural teeth.
Very few tooth replacement options can match the stability and reliability of dental implants. These advanced dental devices often play an essential role in smile design or full mouth reconstruction cases, replacing teeth that have fallen out or been extracted. They look and feel remarkably similar to natural teeth, allowing you to eat, speak, and smile confidently.
Using dental implants, we are able to create healthy, fully functioning teeth that blend in beautifully with your surrounding teeth. Your dental implants will look and act just like your natural teeth. In many cases, implants may be preferable to removable dentures and traditional dental bridges because of their stability and overall comfort. Implants will not irritate the gums or slide around in the mouth.
Dental implants also play an important role in maintaining oral health. This is because implants prevent the surrounding teeth from migrating into the gap left by your missing tooth. They also strengthen your bite and preserve your facial structure. Finally, because you can brush and floss naturally, they support overall gum health and may help prevent gum disease.
Implants are composed of titanium posts that we place in the jawbone to act as an anchor for a crown (artificial tooth), dental bridge, or fixed dentures.
Dental implant placement generally happens in three phases. First, we surgically place the implant post(s) in your jawbone, which involves making an incision in your gums and making a hole in your jawbone to accommodate the post. Your jawbone has to heal for a period of several weeks to months, during which each post integrates with your bone.
Then, after your jawbone has healed around the post, we will uncover the top of the post, fabricate the false tooth (usually a dental crown), and attach it to the top. In the case of bridges or fixed dentures, usually, more than one implant is needed. Once your jaw has healed, we will secure the appliance to your new dental implants.
You may be a candidate for dental implants if you have lost a tooth due to trauma, dental disease, or excessive wear and tear. One of the most important qualifications for dental implants is an adequate jawbone; the implant post is surgically placed in the jawbone, and there must be a sufficient amount of bone to support the post. If you do not have enough jawbone to create a solid foundation for the implant posts, we may use grafting techniques to supplement bone.
Since embedding a dental implant is an oral surgery, you may need several weeks to completely recover. During your recovery, you may need to follow a soft-foods-only diet and monitor the implant site closely. We will provide comprehensive instructions on how to help your dental implant heal.
If you are considering dental implants, we will take 3D cone beam X-rays during your pre-operative appointment to evaluate the relationship between your jawbone, teeth, tissues, and nerves. We will also review your dental and medical history to ensure that you are a good candidate for implants. If you would like to learn more about dental implants in Yardley, we would be happy to explain this option in greater detail during a personal, complimentary consultation.
If you are interested in dental implants in Yardley, PA, call us now at (267) 365-3004 to schedule your complimentary consultation.
