Eagle River Dental
General Dentistry located in Eagle River, AK
A great smile can transform the way you see the world and yourself. The experienced team of dentists at Eagle River Dental offer dental implants for adult patients of all ages at the office in Eagle River, Alaska. They can replace missing or severely damaged teeth so you can look and feel your best again. To learn more, book an appointment online or call for a consultation.
Dental Implants Q & A
What is a dental implant?
Many adults think dental implants are the next best thing to having natural teeth, and they might be right. When you lose your teeth due to tooth decay, a disease, or a traumatic injury, your self-esteem and smile can take a hit.
Dental implants help you bite, chew, and smile with confidence. They're sturdy, stable teeth that look, feel, and function like natural teeth.
A dental implant is a metal post, often made out of titanium, that a dentist surgically implants into your upper or lower jawbone. Essentially, it’s the root of your new tooth. Your mouth will need a few weeks to heal after the post is in place. Once your mouth has fully recovered, your dentist will mount the replacement tooth on the post.
The implants fuse to your jawbone, so they are strong, stable, and don’t shift in your mouth. These metal posts also help bridges, dentures, and crowns stay securely attached to your jaw.
What are the benefits of dental implants?
Beyond feeling, functioning, and looking like natural teeth, dental implants:
- Last longer than other restorative procedures
- Offer an economical solution to replacing missing teeth
- Help retain your natural face shape and smile
- Preserve your healthy jawbone
- Help prevent decay of surrounding natural teeth
- Improve speech by allowing you to talk without worry
- Don't fall out or move around in your mouth
- Are strong and durable for chewing foods you love
- Aren’t susceptible to cavities with an implanted crown
- Offer a time-tested, predictable result for tooth repair
How does the procedure for dental implants work?
In some cases, such as directly after extractions, your dentist at Eagle River Dental can do immediate implants to restore your smile. In more difficult cases, they perform bone grafts to add supportive bone to a weak or insufficient jaw bone that’s incapable of supporting an implant. The area will need to heal before an implant can be placed.
For dental implant surgery, the team at Eagle River Dental uses Cone Beam 3D imaging technology, an innovative imaging system that allows for precision and planning. The system’s high-resolution images help to more accurately place dental implants in the ideal location.
During implant guided surgery, your dentist uses a small dental drill to insert your new implant into your jaw bone. During a process called osseointegration, your jaw bone heals over the course of a few months, while the implant naturally fuses to the bone. After this process is complete, your dentist can securely attach natural-looking prosthetic teeth to the implant.
The beauty of this treatment is the more predictable outcomes seen. The planning of the implant with the prosthesis in mind gives you the best and most ideal implant positioning, ultimately giving you a more beautiful final restoration.
Can anyone get dental implants?
If you’re missing a single tooth or a couple of teeth, you could be an ideal candidate for dental implants. Good candidates have healthy gums, and their jaws are finished growing. Dental implants are an excellent solution for adults, not children.
You could also be a prime candidate for implants if you're tired of having dentures that won't stay in place, or if you're ready to replace a bridge or partial dentures. Men or women wanting a permanent, lifelong solution to ongoing dental work can be exceptional dental implant candidates.
Meet with your dentist to learn more about your options for missing teeth and to see if implant treatment is the best solution for you. Book an appointment online or call Eagle River Dental to take the first step toward a more confident smile.
