Smile Designs by David Lopes

General Dentistry

• General Dentistry
  • Silver Fillings
  • Composite Fillings
  • Crowns
  • Bridges
  • Implants
  • Professional Cleanings
• Cosmetic Dentistry
• Laser Dentistry
• Patient Comfort
• Invisalign

Dental Implants

An excellent way to replace missing teeth.

The Problem:

• A missing tooth or teeth
• Potential bite and jaw joint problems from teeth shifting to fill the space
• The "sunken face" look associated with missing teeth
• Desire to improve chewing ability
• Desire for a more permanent solution than dentures

The Solution:

A dental implant is an appliance used to replace the roots of teeth. The implant is surgically attached to the jaw bone and an artificial tooth is attached to the top of the implant, creating a natural looking, undetectable replacement for the missing tooth. In the event that more than one tooth is missing, several implants may provide a base for a series of artificial teeth known as a fixed bridge (see fixed bridges.) Implants can even be used to secure a full set of removable dentures for people who have no remaining natural teeth. This can greatly improve chewing ability and reduce the risk of choking.

It generally takes about six months for the surgical implant to heal before the final installation of the artificial tooth or teeth can be finished.

Advantages:

Dental implants with artificial teeth are the closest thing to regrowing your natural teeth. They are strong, stable, durable and virtually undetectable. By filling gaps left by missing teeth, implants can provide better chewing ability and head off jaw joint problems. They are far superior to removable dentures.

Disadvantages:

Dental implants are excellent, state-of-the-art restorations and have few disadvantages when compared to alternatives such as dentures. However, dental implants do require surgery and time to heal, and they are initially more expensive than dentures or fixed bridges. These disadvantages are offset by the ease of use, saved time and long term health benefits of implants.

Alternatives:

Dentures are a poor alternative to dental implants. However, in some cases, where finances are a primary concern, dentures are the only alternative.

Mini Implants

Sometimes, a traditional implant my be too large for a narrow space, or for replacing a small tooth or inscisor. Fortunately mini implants are an effective method for tooth-replacement in these instances.

Because they are narrow, mini implants fit perfectly in spaces formerly occupied by small teeth and incisors. They also are beneficial to patients needing to stabilize lower jaw dentures or small, pre-molar teeth. Only certain dentists are authorized to perform these procedures, and Dr. Lopes has completed the education necessary to place and maintain all FDA approved mini implants.

Benefits of Mini Implants

• A mini implant is half as wide as a traditional implant
• Mini implants are less invasive than a traditional implant because they are not fully submerged during placement
• If removal is needed, mini implants are easily removed without the need for grafting
• Mini implants cost less than traditional implants
• Mini implants are firm in place despite not containing a screw within the implant itself

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