Restorative dentist near Shea Boulevard in Phoenix, AZ offers dental implants for tooth replacement

At Life Smiles Dental Care, our Phoenix, AZ team provides patients with options when they are faced with dental concerns. Tooth loss can happen to anyone and knowing the tooth replacement choices is the first step in discussing the best way for an individual to move forward with the restoration of their smile. Our dentists near Shea offer dental implants as a top-quality method of smile repair.

What is a dental implant?

Drs. Paul Nielson and Timothy Schmidt describe dental implants as titanium tooth root replacements. The dental implant is small and is placed into the jawbone during oral surgery. The top of the implant, which rises above the gum line, is then restored in different ways. Restoring the dental implant is achieved with:

• Dental crowns
• Dental bridges
• Dentures

Dental implants are incredibly versatile and can replace one or more missing teeth, depending on how it is placed and restored.

What are the benefits of dental implants?

Dental implants have several advantages. They are:

• An excellent investment in the smile
• Long-lasting with proper care
• Placed during oral surgery with sedation and anesthetic
• A strong and durable alternative to a denture
• Versatile in restoration, using crowns, bridges, or dentures
• Sometimes covered in part by dental insurance benefits
• Best at maintaining bone and avoiding bone resorption

Who is a candidate for dental implants?

Drs. Paul Nielson and Timothy Schmidt of Life Smiles Dental Care are pleased to provide a full consultation and evaluation to determine if patients are proper candidates for dental implants. First, patients should not have certain conditions present in their smile. This includes cavities and periodontal disease. Additionally, patients need to have enough bone to place the dental implant in the smile successfully. The amount of bone available for placement is determined through diagnostic tools, including dental x-rays. If patients are proper candidates and are interested in moving forward with dental implants, they can schedule their oral surgery with the team at Life Smiles Dental Care.

What can I expect during the process of placing dental implants?

Dental implants start with a consultation appointment to determine candidacy. Once the dentist has decided that the patient is a proper candidate for dental implants, an appointment is made for oral surgery. The procedure is performed with proper anesthetics and sedation to ensure patients are comfortable from start to finish. The dentist creates a hole in the bone of the jaw to place the implant and then sutures the surrounding soft tissues. The area is left to heal over several weeks. During this time, the bone will grow around the implant during a process called osseointegration. The bone wraps around the implant and helps solidify it in the jawbone for long-term placement. Once this process is complete, the dental implant procedure has been successful, and restoration can start.

How are dental implants restored?

Restoration options depend on the needs of the patient. Procedures to replace a single tooth will cover the abutment of the implant with a dental crown. Dentists can also use dental implants to support one or both ends of a dental bridge, replacing one or more teeth in a row. Alternatively, patients who need full dentures can speak to their dentist about using dental implants to hold them in place. Implant-retained dentures are a wonderful option for patients who have been unhappy with the stability and strength of their full dentures.

How do I take care of a dental implant?

Dental implants are a standalone restoration that can be kept in the smile with proper care and attention. The teeth replaced with dental implants can be cared for in the same way as natural teeth, with brushing and flossing after every meal and regular dental visits. Patients should do their best to avoid the development of periodontal disease, as this can affect the health of the bone under the implant and can result in loss.

Are you curious about dental implants?

Contact the team at Life Smiles Dental Care near Shea Boulevard in Phoenix, AZ to discuss this and other tooth replacement options. Drs. Paul Nielson and Timothy Schmidt are committed to assisting patients with their oral health care needs. Call the front office team to book an appointment at (602) 786-5484 today!