Dental Implants in Fayetteville, AR
If you have missing teeth, you may have considered dental implants in Fayetteville, AR. Unlike other tooth-replacement options, dental implants restore your tooth and your tooth's root. This means a more permanent and natural tooth replacement option for you.
Dental implants have changed the way we do dentistry. In their current form, dental implants have been around for over 30 years. They have gained full acceptance over the last two decades, and most doctors, including your Fayetteville dentist, consider them the highest standard of care when it comes to restoring smiles. The success rate for dental implants is well over 90 percent.
If you're considering dental implants in Fayetteville, AR, contact our dental office today to learn more or to schedule an exam consultation.
Also, continue reading to learn more about dental implants.
- Why should I talk to my dentist about dental implants?
- How do dental implants in Fayetteville, AR work?
- Are dental implants right for me?
- What are my dental implant options?
- How long do dental implants last?
- How do I take care of my dental implants?
Why should I talk to my dentist about dental implants?
If you have missing teeth, your remaining teeth move toward these openings, which alters your bite and promotes tooth wear. These issues can mean future dental health issues like cavities, breakage, and more tooth loss. Without teeth, your jawbone also shrinks away, leaving you with a sunken appearance in your lower face.
Additionally, missing teeth can influence your speaking voice, dictate the foods you eat, and even lower your self-esteem.
While there are many tooth replacement options available today, dental implants are considered the gold standard for several reasons:
- Dental implants replace the entire anatomy of your lost tooth.
- Dental implants do not require relines or adhesives.
- Dental implants do not slip when you're chewing or speaking.
- Dental implants help prevent jawbone loss
- Dental implants require no special care other than the maintenance you provide for natural teeth.
If you're considering tooth replacement, we recommend a conversation with your dentist.
How do dental implants in Fayetteville, AR work?
Dental implants replace both the root and the crown of the affected tooth. This replacement of the root of the tooth helps to hold your bone so that you don't get that sunken-in facial appearance after tooth loss.
Another significant advantage to implants is that we get to replace the missing tooth without having to place crowns on the teeth on either side of the missing tooth. We like to say that there is no dentistry better than no dentistry! Dental implants give us the ability to do minimal dentistry to your adjacent teeth while still giving you a great result.
Your dentist surgically implants your replacement root. After several months, this root bonds with your jawbone. Then we cap it with a permanent tooth crown.
Your dentist makes sure you're thoroughly numb before implant placement, and recovery time is relatively quick. Typically, patients experience a day or two of mild pain and swelling—equivalent to far less invasive dental procedures. Over-the-counter pain relievers are almost always sufficient.
Are dental implants right for me?
If you have a missing tooth, then a dental implant in Fayetteville, AR may be the best solution for you. When we look at the cost and/or consequences of saving a tooth, it is sometimes a better solution to extract the tooth and replace it with an implant.
This decision often comes down to the long-term predictability of the two options. When a tooth is too far compromised, saving it may not be predictable or give you an excellent long-term prognosis. When this happens, we will tell you all your options and come up with a new plan.
Additionally, your dentist evaluates your oral health to determine whether dental implants in Fayetteville, AR are a safe and viable option for you.
What are my dental implant options?
When you lose a tooth that will be replaced with an implant, you have a few different options. Sometimes, we do what we call an immediate implant. An immediate implant is where we take out the tooth and put the new implant in on the same day. This gives you the option of never being without a tooth, and many of our patients prefer this option.
Another option is to take out the tooth and let the area heal before we go in and place an implant. In this case, we sometimes have to make you a temporary replacement during this healing period.
Dental implants in Fayetteville can also stabilize a denture or partial. If you have loose partials or dentures, we can use implants, typically four to six, to help keep them stable so that they don't move around when you chew or talk. Can you imagine not having to worry about your dentures or partials falling out while you are eating or talking? With implant-supported dentures and partials, you can have the confidence to eat and speak in public without the constant worry of your teeth falling out.
How long do dental implants last?
If you're living with a failing or missing tooth, it's wise to consider a replacement option as soon as you can. Dental implants are the best option dentistry has to offer for missing teeth because they replace both your tooth and your root. They're also the most durable and reliable replacement option, boasting a 95 percent success rate. With regular dental checkups and excellent home care, your implant can potentially last for a lifetime, making it a very cost-effective choice. No other option offers these benefits.
Dental implants in Fayetteville restore your root with a biocompatible titanium post and your tooth with a high-quality porcelain crown. The titanium post naturally integrates with your bone, which serves to keep it healthy. The tooth crown delivers all the function of a natural tooth while filling the open space, so your healthy teeth don't start shifting. Because a dental implant closely mimics your natural tooth, it truly protects the integrity of your oral health.
If you're about to lose a compromised tooth, or you're already living with a missing tooth, you understand the challenges this presents for quality of life. We encourage you to contact our Fayetteville AR dental office today to learn more about your options.
How do I take care of my dental implants?
With dental implants, there are no special maintenance requirements. You simply brush your teeth and floss as usual.
As with natural teeth, you should visit your dentist regularly for dental exams and teeth cleanings. Also, like with natural teeth, make sure you talk to your dentist if you grind or clench your teeth (bruxism), and always wear the proper face gear when playing sports.
Never use your dental implants in Fayetteville—or your natural teeth—for an unintended purpose like opening a bottle or crunching on ice cubes.
Your dentist wants to help you get the most out of your dental implants, and with proper care, they can last for decades or even a lifetime.
Learn More about Dental Implants in Fayetteville, AR
Every patient's situation is different, so your best option is to call our office and schedule an appointment with Fayetteville dentist Dr. Kifer. He'll perform an examination and then sit down with you and talk about your needs and your goals. At that point, you will be able to examine all your options and pick the one that works best for you.
A dental implant is the closest thing we have to replacing a missing tooth. When you lose a tooth, you not only lose the part of the tooth that you can see (the crown), but you also lose the root of the tooth that is in the bone. The bone in your jaw has a purpose and that is to hold your teeth. When you lose your tooth, the bone loses its purpose and starts to disappear.
