Are Dental Implants Right for You?

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Dental implants in West Salem, WI, replace your natural tooth and its root when you have lost a tooth to dental disease or trauma. You can replace a single tooth, several consecutive teeth, or all-natural teeth with dental implants. This option is popular with patients who prefer a permanent tooth replacement option.

Each dental implant contains a small titanium post that functions as your new tooth root, an abutment that attaches to the top of the post and sits above your gumline, and an artificial tooth. Dr. Jim Allen or Dr. Mark Mueller may be able to place fewer titanium posts in your jaw when replacing multiple teeth.

Factors to Consider About Dental Implants

An important thing to remember about dental implants is that you must attend several appointments and wait several weeks to months until the process is complete. The first step is to schedule a consultation where Dr. Allen or Dr. Mueller inspects the gum tissue surrounding your missing tooth and takes several X-rays to determine if you are a good candidate for the procedure.

Most people who want dental implants can receive them, but you may need a bone graft procedure ahead of time if your existing bone is not strong enough to support an implant. Once that is complete, your dentist drills into your gumline to place the post that becomes your tooth root. You then need to wait until your jaw has healed. The timeline is different for every patient, so you may need to come in a few times to see if you are ready to progress to the final step.

The last step in the dental implant process is for Dr. Allen or Dr. Mueller to attach the abutment and artificial tooth. Please schedule a consultation to learn more about dental implants in West Salem, WI.

What’s the Difference Between Implants, Bridges and Dentures?

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If you’re missing a tooth, crowns, bridges, and dentures can help you fill in the gaps and replace what is gone. Whether you have a single missing tooth or multiple missing teeth, it’s important to make your smile whole. A missing tooth can have an impact on the way you chew and the way you talk.

You may even feel self-conscious about the way your smile looks. Knowing what to do is important. There are many types of prosthetic teeth, including implants, bridges and dentures. Your dentist in West Salem, WI, can help you determine which kind is best for you. Here’s what you need to know.

Implants

An implant is a prosthetic tooth that is inserted into the jaw and fused with the bone, much like a real tooth. Of all the types of prosthetic teeth available, implants are the most like real teeth in their functionality and appearance. You may be a good candidate for an implant if you have a sufficient jaw bone to hold an implant, but if you do not, your dentist may use a bone graft to make this possible.

Bridges

A bridge is a prosthetic tooth that is positioned between two adjacent natural teeth. The bridge is held in place with crowns that grip onto the adjacent natural teeth. Bridges look natural enough that no one will be able to tell you have one.

Dentures

Dentures are prosthetic teeth that you wear. Dentures can be removed for cleaning and put back when you need to eat or talk. Dentures need to be properly fitted, or they can slip.

Which One is Right for You?

Deciding which type of prosthetic teeth is right for you can be a challenge. Your dentist can help you decide if you should get dentures, a bridge or an implant in West Salem, WI. At Allen Dental, we’re here to help you decide. Call today to make an appointment.

4 Benefits of Implants  

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A missing tooth can make you feel self-conscious about your smile, and can even cause other teeth in your mouth to shift. Dental implants are the most realistic prosthetic teeth available, and for many patients, implants are the best possible solution to a missing permanent tooth.

Your dentist in West Salem, WI will let you know if an implant is an option. Below are four great benefits of implants that you should keep in mind while you’re trying to decide if this is the right option for you.

1. Natural Look

Dental implants are shaped like teeth and color-matched to your existing teeth. If you have an implant, it’s virtually impossible to tell the difference between your implant and your natural teeth.

2. Function Like Natural Teeth

Dental implants have a post that fits into the jaw, just like the root of the tooth. This enables implants to function just like natural teeth. They can’t be removed unless by a dentist, and are cleaned just like your natural teeth.

3. Permanent Solution to Missing Tooth Problem

Unlike dentures, which can sometimes slip in the mouth, implants are a permanent solution to the problem of a missing tooth. This means that your implants will be secure and just as comfortable as your natural teeth.

4. No One Can Tell It’s An Implant

One of the things that people often love most about implants is that no one can tell they have implants! Implants blend into your mouth, so they look like they belong.

Think implants are for you? For more information about implants in West Salem, WI, call Allen Dental to make an appointment. During your appointment, we can tell you if implants are the right solution for your missing or damaged teeth.

 

Do Dental Implants Look Natural?

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You’re thinking about getting a dental implant, but you want it to look natural. You’re in luck! Dental implants are one of the most effective and attractive form of prosthetic teeth. Dental implants look so much like real teeth that no one will be able to tell your implants from your real teeth.

Rest assured, your dentist in West Salem WI will take steps to ensure that your implant looks natural. Here’s what you need to know.

Dental Implants Are Colored Like Natural Teeth

Your dentist will assess the color of your teeth before ordering your implants, and will find the closest color match to your teeth. This way, when your dentist orders the implants, they’ll be made from a material that is the same color as your natural teeth. This will make your dental implant indistinguishable from real teeth.

One thing to note is that dental implants can’t be whitened, so if you whiten your teeth, the implant will remain the original color. If you want your teeth to match perfectly, avoid getting them whitened.

How Dental Implants Are Made

To ensure that your dental implants will fit properly in your mouth and look like your other teeth, your dentist will make an impression of your teeth. This impression creates an exact model of the inside of your mouth, so the laboratory where the implants will be made can ensure that the implants will fit properly in the space provided.

Dental implants are made by experts who understand the shape and look of real teeth. This ensures that when they make implants for your mouth, they’ll look completely real!

Are you convinced that dental implants in West Salem WI are for you? If so, then make an appointment with your dental provider. Call Allen Dental to make an appointment.

Interested in Dental Implants? Read this FAQ

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Of all the prosthetic tooth options available to dental patients today, dental implants are the most like our natural teeth. If you’re missing a tooth or having a tooth extracted, a dental implant could be a good option to help restore your smile to its original beauty. Here’s what to know about dental implants in West Salem, WI.

What are the benefits of dental implants?

Dental implants look and function just like real teeth. Missing teeth can cause a variety of problems, including movement of the other teeth, problems with chewing and digestion, and issues with personal confidence. Getting dental implants can prevent all of these problems and more.

Do dental implants hurt?

Many people who get dental implants express surprise at the lack of pain during the procedure. They often say that the procedure hurt less than a tooth extraction. Anesthesia can help keep you comfortable throughout.

How can I make my dental implants last?

Take care of your dental implants just like you would take care of a natural tooth. Floss in the area around the tooth, and brush your tooth. Your dentist may recommend special types of toothpaste that can help you keep your implant clean without scratching the enamel.

Will my insurance pay for my implants?

It’s rare for insurance to pay for implants, although more types of insurance pay for implants than in previous years. If you would like dental implants and are not sure if you’ll be able to afford them, speak with your dentist in West Salem, WI. We’ll be happy to answer your questions and help you decide if this is a procedure you can afford.

Can Dental Implants Fail? What You Should Know

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According to the American Dental Association (ADA), dentists place more than 5 million dental implants on an annual basis. People opt for implants for so many obvious reasons; these replacement teeth are more like natural teeth, restore chewing power, and boost self-confidence. One of the biggest concerns patients have when they visit us at Allen Dental about dental implants is if the procedure can fail. Here is a look at a few general questions and answers you should know as you make a decision about dental implants for yourself.

How can you ensure your implants do not fail?

It is actually quite rare for dental implants to fail. However, in many cases when problems arise, it is due to a lapse in proper care directly after the procedure. Once the implant is placed, the healing process begins. It is at this time that the implant fuses to the bone, so it is critical that you follow your dentist’s guidance about aftercare.

Is it possible for a dental implant to fail later?

Beyond the initial healing period, implants can fail later in life. The implants do occasionally fail simply due to age or deterioration of supportive bone. However, failure can also arise if:

  • You are not vigilant about your oral health
  • You develop gum disease that goes untreated
  • You are not following good dental hygiene practices at home

How do you know if a dental implant is failing?

Contact your dentist right away if you experience any of the following with your dental implant:

  • Pain and discomfort around the implant after the healing period
  • Swollen, inflamed, or bleeding gums
  • Looseness or shifting of the implant
  • Receding gum tissue around the implant

Find Out More About Dental Implants in West Salem

When you work with a reputable dentist, follow the guidance on aftercare, and take good care of your oral health, dental implants can last for many years. If you are interested in learning more about dental implants in West Salem, reach out to us at Allen Dental to schedule an appointment.