Dental Implants: Four Uses for This Versatile Technology

When people are looking for tooth replacement options, dental implants are often recommended as the best treatment because they are permanent, functional, attractive, and good for the health of your jaw bone. Many people don’t know that dental implants can be used for far more than single tooth replacements. At Union Square Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Center, Dr. Rayher places dental implants to support full-arch replacements, anchor orthodontic work, and more. To give you a better idea of the dental implant procedures available, we’ve provided a list of some of the different uses for dental implant technology.

Single Tooth Replacements:

Dental implants are the best option available for most patients looking to replace one or more individual teeth. Most patients report that dental implants look and function just like a natural tooth, and with regular oral hygiene, the implants can last a lifetime. Additionally, the implant will integrate with your natural jaw bone, which prevents bone deterioration.

Implant-Supported Bridges:

Dental implant-supported bridges can permanently replace multiple teeth in a row without damaging your existing healthy teeth. Traditional bridges rest on your healthy teeth for support, and your teeth have to be ground down to fit the prosthetic. Dental implant-supported bridges are held firmly in place by dental implants, so your healthy teeth remain intact during the placement of the bridge. The dental implant base of the bridge will also combat bone loss by stimulating the jaw bone.

Full-Arch Replacements:

Advances in dental implant technology have made it possible to restore an entire arch of teeth in one efficient and cost-effective procedure. A permanent prosthetic row of teeth can be placed with as few as four dental implants as a base. During the initial procedure you will receive a temporary arch of teeth, but once your implant sites heal, your custom, permanent teeth will be placed, after which you can eat whatever you please. The dental implants are extremely secure, so there is no risk of losing your teeth while you eat or speak.

Orthodontic Anchorage Devices:

Orthodontists and oral surgeons often work together to restore a patient’s tooth alignment. Dental implants can serve as anchorage devices to assist in the movement of surrounding teeth. After your oral surgeon places the dental implant, an orthodontist can use the implant as an anchor for braces or other dental devices. Dental implants eventually integrate with your natural jaw bone, which makes them extremely stable and allows the surrounding teeth to move into place more easily.

Oral surgeons are constantly finding new and resourceful ways to improve dental implant technology. These are just a few of the potential uses for dental implants, and with all of the treatment options available, we are confident that we will be able to plan a treatment that fits your specific needs. Contact our office to learn about our tooth restoration options, or schedule a consultation to find out if you dental implants are right for you.