These restorations replace a missing tooth from the crown to the root. In this way, they help to avoid further tooth loss and ensure a lifelong foundation for a beautiful smile.
Dr. Michael Young offers in-office implant surgery and our cutting-edge technology, such as digital cone beam scanners, making the procedure incredibly precise. Further, with his expertise in cosmetic dentistry, Dr. Young can attach a highly realistic crown, bridge, or denture after your implant surgery.
Dental implants are essentially replacement tooth roots. Once in place, the jaw bone will grow around them, making them remarkably stable. Implants can support a single crown, a bridge, or even a whole denture, so the number of implants you need will depend on how many teeth you are missing.
If you are missing teeth and have a healthy jawbone, you are likely a candidate for dental implants. Significant bone degeneration can affect your candidacy for treatment, as can certain health conditions such as diabetes and active gum disease. Dr. Young can determine your candidacy during a thorough evaluation.
Placing dental implants is a multi-step process, but patients find that the benefits of implants are well worth the commitment to treatment. Dr. Young will begin by creating a detailed surgical plan, using a cone beam scanner to evaluate your jaw. This state-of-the-art tool produces three-dimensional images, enabling incredibly precise treatment planning and implant placement.
During the surgery itself, we can provide sedation to help you relax.
After implant placement, you will need to wait for the bone to heal before you can receive your permanent dental prosthetic. Healing times vary from patient to patient, but it often takes between six and twelve weeks.
Following your full recovery, you may need to come back for a separate procedure during which Dr. Young will attach the abutment, the piece that actually connects your restoration to the implant post itself. Once this piece is affixed and your gums have sufficiently healed, you can receive your prosthetic. As with all of our restorations, we use advanced materials with a realistic color and sparkle.
Like traditional bridges and dentures, implant-supported restorations will dramatically improve your smile and bite. At the same time, dental implants offer unique benefits that make them the preferred method of tooth replacement. Because implants replace tooth roots, they also perform the same regenerative function, stimulating bone growth in the surrounding area. In this way, implants can stave off bone recession, preventing additional tooth loss and keeping you looking young and vibrant. In addition, dental implants are very durable and, with proper oral hygiene, can last a lifetime.
Don’t let missing teeth affect your confidence and long-term oral health. When you receive dental implants at our Lafayette office, you will benefit from Dr. Young’s experience and the latest in dental technology. Call us today at 337-237-6453 to schedule your implant consultation.
