Missing teeth can significantly impact your quality of life, affecting everything from your ability to eat and speak properly to your self-confidence in social situations. Fortunately, modern dentistry offers an exceptional solution: dental implants. This revolutionary treatment has transformed the field of restorative dentistry, providing patients with a permanent, natural-looking alternative to traditional dentures and bridges.

At Superior Dental of Lincoln, our experienced team specializes in advanced dental implant procedures, helping patients throughout the Lincoln area restore their smiles with confidence. Contact our team today to discuss your options and schedule your appointment.

Dental implants are titanium posts that are surgically placed into the jawbone to replace the roots of missing teeth. These biocompatible metal posts serve as artificial tooth roots, providing a stable foundation for replacement teeth such as crowns, bridges, or dentures. The implant itself consists of three main components: the titanium post, whichintegrates with the jawbone; an abutment that connects the implant to the replacement tooth; and the crown or prosthetic tooth that provides the visible, functional surface.

Unlike traditional tooth replacement options, dental implants are designed to fuse with your natural bone through a process called osseointegration. This biological process typically takes several months to complete, but results in a remarkably stable and durable foundation that can last a lifetime with proper care.

The advantages of dental implants extend far beyond simple tooth replacement. One of the most significant benefits is their ability to preserve jawbone structure. When you lose a tooth, the underlying bone begins to deteriorate due to a lack of stimulation. Dental implants provide the necessary stimulation to maintain bone density, preventing the sunken facial appearance that often accompanies tooth loss.

From a functional standpoint, dental implants restore nearly 100% of your natural chewing power, allowing you to enjoy all your favorite foods without restriction. Unlike removable dentures, which can slip or cause discomfort while eating, implants remain securely in place, providing confidence during meals and social interactions.

The aesthetic benefits are equally impressive. Modern dental implants are virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth, both in appearance and feel. The custom-made crowns are designed to match the color, shape, and size of your existing teeth, ensuring a seamless integration with your natural smile.

Additionally, dental implants don’t require alteration of adjacent healthy teeth, unlike traditional bridges that necessitate grinding down neighboring teeth for support. This preservation of healthy tooth structure is a significant long-term advantage that many patients appreciate.

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Most adults with missing teeth can benefit from dental implants, but certain factors determine candidacy. Ideal candidates should have adequate bone density in the jaw to support the implant, healthy gums free from periodontal disease, and good overall health that allows for proper healing after surgery.

Age is rarely a limiting factor, as dental implants have been successfully placed in patients ranging from young adults to seniors in their 90s. However, children and teenagers are typically not candidates because their jawbones are still developing.

Certain medical conditions may affect implant success, including uncontrolled diabetes, active cancer treatment, or severe osteoporosis. Heavy smoking can also impair healing and reduce the success rate of dental implants. Your dental professional will conduct a thorough evaluation, including X-rays and possibly CT scans, to determine if you’re a suitable candidate for the procedure.

Superior Dental utilizes advanced diagnostic technology to thoroughly assess each patient’s candidacy for dental implants, ensuring the highest success rates and optimal outcomes for every case. Schedule your dental implant consultation in Lincoln today.

The dental implant process is a multi-stage process that occurs over several months. During your initial consultation, your dentist will perform a comprehensive examination, including detailed imaging to assess bone quality. This planning phase determines the optimal placement of your dental implants.

The surgical phase involves placing the titanium implant into the jawbone under local anesthesia. Most patients report minimal discomfort during the procedure, which takes 30 minutes to two hours, depending on the number of implants. Following surgery, a three- to six-month healing period allows for osseointegration to occur.

Once the implant has integrated with the bone, the abutment is placed. This minor procedure may require a small incision to expose the implant, after which the abutment is attached.

The final phase involves creating and placing the custom crown. Your dentist will take impressions to ensure the new tooth matches your natural teeth perfectly. The completed restoration is then secured to the abutment, completing your treatment.

[Related: Types of Dental Crowns]

Several types of dental implants are available to address different patient needs:

• Single Tooth Implants: The most common type, replacing individual missing teeth with a crown attached to a single implant
• Implant-Supported Bridges: For patients missing multiple adjacent teeth, these can replace several teeth using fewer implants than would be needed for individual tooth replacement
• Full Mouth Reconstruction: Offers solutions for patients who have lost most or all of their teeth using comprehensive implant systems
• All-on-4 and All-on-6 Systems: Use strategically placed implants to support full arch restorations, providing a fixed alternative to traditional dentures
• Mini Dental Implants: Smaller diameter implants for patients with insufficient bone density for traditional implants, often placed without extensive bone grafting procedures

Recovery from dental implant surgery is typically straightforward, with most patients returning to normal activities within a few days. Initial healing involves managing minor swelling and discomfort, which can be controlled with over-the-counter pain medications and ice application.

Long-term success of dental implants depends largely on proper maintenance. Regular brushing, flossing, and professional cleanings are essential, just as they are for natural teeth. Special flossing techniques and interdental brushes may be recommended to clean around implant restorations effectively. Your dental team will provide you with recommended methods for aftercare of your dental implants.

The decision to pursue dental implants is a significant one, but for most patients, the benefits far outweigh the initial investment of time and money. With proper care, dental implants can last a lifetime, making them an excellent long-term solution for missing teeth.

If you’re considering dental implants, contact our team to determine if this transformative treatment is right for you. Contact Superior Dental today to schedule your consultation and take the first step toward restoring your smile with confidence.