Dental Implants
If something happens to your natural teeth, you can continue to live confidently with implants. Unlike dentures and bridgework, implants are a solution proven by experience to last for many years. They look and feel like your natural teeth, and eliminate the worry of slipping or coming loose.
For more than two decades, dental implants have been used successfully with people just like you - a safe, medically proven alternative that delivers confident living. Dr. Hauck can offer you the most advanced implants and prosthetics available today.
For more than two decades, dental implants have been used successfully with people just like you - a safe, medically proven alternative that delivers confident living. Dr. Hauck can offer you the most advanced implants and prosthetics available today.
What is a dental implant, and how does it work?
A dental implant is a small "anchor" made of titanium. It is inserted into the jawbone to take the place of your missing tooth root. After Osseointegration, or when the surrounding bone has attached to the implant, a replacement tooth is secured to the top of the implant. The new tooth looks, feels, and performs just like your natural teeth. Dental implants can be used in a variety of situations, whether you need to replace a single missing tooth or many teeth. They can even be used to replace a full denture. As anchor points, implants can also securely attach a partial denture or bridge. What are the benefits of dental implants? Choosing implants offers you a number of significant advantages including: More healthful and beautiful: When teeth are missing, the surrounding bone begins to shrink. This unhealthy bone loss can make your jawline recede. Dental implants can help prevent deterioration of the jawbone caused by loss of teeth, so your face retains its natural shape. As an alternative to bridgework, dental implants eliminate the need to grind down healthy teeth when replacing one or more adjacent teeth. More comfortable: Because dental implants are securely anchored, there is no slipping or movement as there is with dentures. This eliminates some of the key worries of dentures, including poor fit, gum irritation, and pain from exposed nerves. More confident: With dental implants, you will never need to cover your mouth when laughing, smiling, or speaking. You can eat your favorite foods without pain or fear of embarrassment - and taste every bite. You will look better, feel better, and live more confidently. |
Are you a candidate for dental implants?
If you're healthy enough to have a tooth extracted, you're probably healthy enough to have an implant - whether your missing teeth are the result of injury, disease, or decay. General good health and adequate bone in the jaw are the key requirements. Your doctor can tell you if implants are right for you. What is involved in the implant procedure? The dental implant process involves several steps that take place over a time period that averages from four to nine months. The typical process will include: Initial implant placement: This procedure is typically performed by an oral surgeon under either a local or a general anesthesia. Your doctor places the implant into your jaw. Over the next several months, bone will attach to the surface of the implant anchoring it into position. Depending on your particular case, an additional minor procedure creates an opening through which your artificial tooth will emerge. Implant prosthetic attachment: During this phase, your dentist painlessly attaches a prosthetic "post" to the implant. A simple impression will be taken and over the next few days an artificial tooth will be created for a functional natural restoration. Implants can improve your appearance, confidence, and freedom. Since dental implants look and feel like natural teeth, they naturally enhance your appearance. More importantly, the securely attached implant gives you the confidence of eating what you like, speaking easily and clearly, and freedom from embarrassment. And, by following a regular routine of careful oral hygiene and regular checkups, your implants can last for many years. |