Dental Implants

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What are dental implants

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  • Dental Implant – A cylindrical and/or tapered post, made of titanium, that serves as a substitute for the tooth root
  • Abutment – A connector, placed on, or built into, the top of the dental implant, to connect the implant to the replacement tooth or teeth
  • Crown – A replacement tooth, custom made to match your natural teeth

 

Dental implants are often the best treatment for missing teeth.  When a damaged or decayed tooth is removed, both the visible part of the tooth, called the crown, and the root are lost.

A dental implant is placed in the jawbone so that it can fuse with your natural bone and become a strong and sturdy foundation for replacement teeth. Implants can be used to replace an individual tooth or for an implant-supported bridge or denture containing multiple teeth.

Dental implants are the closest you can get to healthy, natural teeth. They will allow you to confidently eat, smile, laugh, talk, play and enjoy all of your regular activities of everyday life without thinking about your teeth.

Dental implant bridge case by Dr. Gentry on a 55 year old male patient. 

1. Hopeless decayed teeth that were under a 20 year old bridge.

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2. Teeth extracted, bone grafts placed and following healing, 2 dental implants placed.

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3. View of dental implants. I also placed a porcelain crown on the tooth in front of the first implant.

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4. Patient stone models, implant custom abutments, screws, and porcelain bridge.

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5. Custom abutments placed into the implants.

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6. Porcelain bridge cemented over the dental implant abutments.

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