The Natural Replacement for Missing Teeth

Dr. Lang has been placing dental implants since 1985. He places over 200 dental implants per year and is quite experienced in all types of implants.

One of his main priorities is that you are completely informed about dental implants and your options before proceeding. You can be assured all of your questions and concerns will be answered.

A natural tooth is anchored into the jawbone by its tooth root. Tooth roots attach firmly to the jawbone and keep your teeth stable when chewing solid foods.

Traditionally, if you were missing a tooth, or if one needed to be extracted, the healthy teeth on either side of the missing tooth would be cut down. The entire space would then be replaced with a three-crown “bridge”.

Dental implants are the modern alternative. Instead of cutting down two perfectly healthy teeth, a dental post (dental implant) is inserted into the jawbone to replace your missing tooth root. This post becomes solidly fixed in your jaw (like a natural tooth root). Your general dentist then places a crown onto this artificial tooth root that looks, feels, and functions like your natural teeth.

Quite simply, dental implants are the most natural replacement for missing teeth.

Traditionally, several missing teeth would have been replaced with a removable partial or full denture.

Dentures have to be taken out and soaked at night. During the day, they can also look unnatural and rub painfully. Dentures and partials make it difficult or impossible to eat certain foods.

Dental implants can now be used to anchor partial and full dentures.
This prevents the slipping, irritation, and pain associated with “floating” partials and dentures. It also prevents the tedious removal of dentures for overnight soaking and cleaning. With dental implants, these restorations are anchored firmly into the jawbone becoming much more like natural teeth.

Natural tooth roots and dental implant posts are fixed firmly in your jawbone. When you chew, these tooth roots and posts stimulate the jawbone and prevent it from shrinking. You may have seen a person who looked prematurely old because their jawbone had shrunk after wearing floating dentures. Dental implants help preserve your jawbone and appearance.

After their healing period, the success rate of dental implants is between 94% and 98%. If you are a non-smoker with good oral hygiene the percentage is closer to 98%.

The pain involved with having a dental implant placed is similar to that of having a cavity filled. It is often done under local anesthesia and patients generally experience little discomfort after the procedure.

Dental implants become fixed into the jawbone. Though the life span of a dental implant will vary with each patient, many have remained in patients’ mouths for over 30 years. With good oral hygiene and regular cleanings, dental implants should last a lifetime. In contrast, the average life span of a traditional fixed bridge is between 10-15 years.

A critical question in determining whether an implant can be placed is, “Is there enough bone to support the implant?” Fortunately, advanced bone regeneration techniques now make it possible to place many more implants than just 10 years ago.

Dental implant treatment begins with an evaluation by your general dentist who will determine if you are a good candidate for this procedure. If he feels dental implants might be possible, he will send you to a periodontist for a placement evaluation.