Missing teeth can significantly impact a person’s self-esteem and self-image. Consider that your smile is the first thing that people see upon meeting you. Now consider the effect that gaps in your smile can have on your appearance, as well as your mental state.
In addition to cosmetic issues, missing teeth can also lead to diminished jawbone tissue and gastrointestinal problems, as it will be harder to completely chew food to ensure proper digestion.
Fortunately, dental implants are an excellent solution to all the problems posed by missing teeth. Long Island Implant & Cosmetic Dentistry performs a variety of implant procedures to ensure our patients look and feel their best at all times.
While implant procedures are quite effective, recent advances have made them even more impactful to patients. These advances can shorten treatment times, improve outcomes, and reduce the risk of bothersome complications once the procedure is complete.
As a result, more people can take advantage of implant procedures and experience pride in their appearance once again.
Types of Dental Implants
Implants consist of a rod, usually made from titanium, that is placed into the jawbone. This rod serves as the housing for an abutment, as well as an artificial tooth, commonly referred to as a crown. However, dental implants come in a few variations, including:
- Single-Tooth – These procedures can address a single missing tooth, which may result from dental trauma, gum disease, or tooth decay.
- Multi-Tooth – Multi-tooth procedures are used to remedy more substantial tooth loss, such as two or more missing teeth.
- Full Mouth – In the event a patient is missing all their teeth or experiencing issues with significant decay, a dental specialist may recommend an All-on-4 procedure, which entails implanting four strategically placed rods in the jawbone.
Oral surgeons can use endosteal implants, which have a screw-like design, to ensure a sturdy attachment to the jawbone. There are also subperiosteal implants, which are implanted under gum tissues but rest on or above the jawbone. These implants are used when a person has insufficient bone tissue, which can compromise the stability of endosteal implants.
Exciting Advances in Implant Procedures
In addition to the many types of implants dental professionals can use during these procedures, emerging technology has greatly improved the process for patients:
Digital Planning
Digital planning of implant procedures greatly reduces the chance of unwanted outcomes. Advanced software allows specialists to digitally scan patient mouths, which creates a precise impression. This impression is used to ensure accurate implant design for enhanced results.
Same-Day Implants
In the past, implant procedures would typically take place over the course of several office visits. While it depends on the patient, it’s sometimes possible to perform extractions and implant procedures during the same visit. That means a more expedient healing time and fewer visits to the dental office.
Computer-Assisted Surgery
In addition to digital planning, oral surgeons can also use computer technology to better identify a patient’s needs. For example, certain computer-assisted procedures create a 4-dimensional image, which can help determine whether there are soft tissue problems that might need to be treated.
Antibacterial Coatings
Even patients with impeccable dental health still harbor oral bacteria. This bacteria can increase infection risk, which is why antibacterial implants are so beneficial. Using antibacterial implants reduces the risk of complications after the surgery.
Benefits of Dental Implant Advances
New advances in dental implant technology offer numerous benefits to patients in need of tooth restoration.
Infections can greatly reduce the viability of implants, and may even call for additional surgeries to ensure the procedure remains a success. With antibacterial coatings, the risk of infections and associated complications is greatly reduced.
Computer software and digital planning also reduce the likelihood of complications and implant failure.
While it might not be an option for every patient, same-day procedures eliminate the need for multiple visits to the dentist. They also reduce the discomfort that patients can experience throughout the process, as the procedures will be completed in a single day.
With these many amazing advances, patients can look forward to efficient dental implant procedures. Please contact Long Island Implant & Cosmetic Dentistry today to learn more about our cosmetic dentistry services.
