Dental implants are strong, titanium rods that our dentists in Dallas, TX, can securely place into the jawbone using minimally-invasive surgical techniques. These sturdy rods act as artificial tooth roots onto which our team can place beautifully realistic restorations to complete and enhance our patients’ smiles.
At Lakewood Dental Group, patients can use dental implants to replace one, some, or all of their missing teeth with high-quality restorations. Understanding your options when it comes to dental implant restorations will help you make the right choice for your oral health, aesthetic goals, and lifestyle.
What are dental implant restorations?
Dental implants consist of three separate parts:
- The titanium implant
- The abutment
- The restoration
The titanium implant is what Dr. Shaun Sigurdson and Dr. Mihir Patel embed directly into the jawbone. The abutment is what goes on top of the implant to accommodate the custom-made restoration. The restoration is a dental prosthetic that looks and acts exactly like natural teeth.
Are there different kinds of dental implant restorations?
Yes, there are three main types of dental implant restorations, including:
Implant-supported Dental Crowns
Many patients are familiar with dental crowns as restorative treatments to repair teeth damaged by dental decay or trauma. However, Dr. Sigurdson and Dr. Patel can use implant-supported dental crowns to replace a single missing tooth.
Implant-supported crowns are made from high-quality materials that our team can color match to patients’ surrounding teeth. As a result, these restorations give patients a fully-functional smile that looks as great as it feels.
Implant-supported Dental Bridges
Implant-supported dental bridges are a suitable option for patients who are missing one or more teeth in a row. In general, implant-supported bridges require at least one dental implant to keep them securely in place. However, patients with several missing teeth in a row may require more implants to ensure maximum stability and comfort.
Implant-supported Dentures
Traditional dentures are removable appliances that tend to shift while patients are talking or eating. This can cause embarrassment, but it can also lead to painful irritation that makes denture wear more difficult for some patients. Dental implants keep implant-supported dentures firmly in place, which prevents unwanted movement, irritation, and embarrassment.
At Lakewood Dental Group, our dentists specialize in All-on-4® dental implants, which can hold full restorations–like dentures–in place with only four titanium posts. All-on-4 implants are a cost-effective way to replace a full arch of missing teeth without extensive surgeries or recovery time.
What are the benefits of dental implant restorations?
There are several benefits of replacing missing teeth with dental implants and quality restorations, such as:
- Restorations are immune to decay
- They look, act, and feel just like natural teeth
- They can last a lifetime with proper care
- Implant restorations fill out facial features, which prevents premature aging caused by facial sagging
- Dental implants and their restorations keep surrounding teeth from shifting
- They restore patients’ ability to bite, chew, speak, and smile with comfort and confidence
Ask Us If Dental Implants Are Right For You
If you’re interested in restoring your smile with dental implants, then you’ll need to talk to a qualified Lakewood dentist to verify your candidacy. At Lakewood Dental Group, we can help you verify your candidacy so that you can finally get the healthy, beautiful, and functional smile that you deserve.
New and existing patients can get started by calling our dental office in Dallas at (214) 827-1885 or by scheduling an appointment online here.
