Dental Implants

Understanding the impact missing teeth have on life quality, including reduced confidence and potential health risks, Archer Dental specializes in dental implants. These implants offer a solution to regain self-confidence, improve oral health, and enhance quality of life. Explore further to understand dental implants in Chicago, their necessity, costs, processes, and advantages over traditional dentures or bridges.

What are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are like artificial tooth roots, typically made of titanium, that give a permanent foundation for replacement teeth. They're great for folks dealing with missing teeth or failing teeth that can not be restored. Unlike dentures or bridges, implants replace the root of the tooth, which helps keep your jawbone strong and your other teeth healthy. It's a two-part process: first, the implant fuses with your jawbone, then a custom-made crown is added on top to match your other teeth.

They're not just for looks; implants can make a real difference in how well you chew and talk. Plus, they're known for being super durable and comfy, and they seriously boost your quality of life.

Now, there are mainly two types of dental implants: Endosteal and Subperiosteal. Endosteal ones are the most common, they 6can be screwed into your jawbone to create a permanent missing tooth replacement. Subperiosteal ones sit on top of the jawbone under your gum tissue, perfect for folks with less jawbone or those who don't want extra surgery to build it up. At Archer Dental, we usually go for Endosteal implants due to their long term stability and durability.

A dental implant has three main parts: the implant itself (that titanium screw), the abutment (a connector on top of the implant), and the crown (the visible part that looks just like a real tooth). Together, they make a strong, long-lasting replacement that's easy to take care of and feels just like the real deal.

And here's a cool thing: implants can support bridges or dentures too. For example, the All-on-Four treatment uses four implants to hold permanent dentures in place. It's a precise process that needs a skilled implant specialist, so choosing the right dentist is key.

The Importance of Replacing Missing Teeth

Replacing missing teeth isn't just about your smile; it's essential for keeping your mouth and overall health in tip-top shape. When teeth are missing, it throws off the balance in your mouth, making other teeth shift and causing potential alignment issues. This can mess with your bite and the health of your jaw joint. Plus, without teeth to chew on, your jawbone can start to shrink, which can change how your face looks over time.

But it's not just about looks. Gaps in your smile can make it tough to eat and talk like you used to, which can affect your nutrition and how you interact with others. Replacing those missing teeth brings back your chewing power and lets you speak clearly again.

And let's talk about the emotional side of things. Missing teeth can really dent your confidence and make you hesitant to smile. But dental fixes like implants don't just improve your oral health; they give you back your confidence, so you can grin without a second thought.

What Happens if I Don’t Replace a Missing Tooth?

Skipping tooth replacement can result in several issues, like your remaining teeth moving around, possible alignment problems, and bite changes. This can make chewing and eating harder down the road. Plus, without a tooth root to keep it healthy, your jawbone might start to lose density, a process that is called bone resorption. If the density of the bone is not enough to support a dental implant, the patient will need to undergo bone graft first. That is why we encourage patients to see a specialist as soon as possible after losing a tooth.  We understand that not dealing with missing teeth can hit your self-esteem and confidence. You deserve a smile that boosts your pride and confidence!