BRIDGES

A bridge may be recommended if you’re missing one or more teeth.  Gaps left by missing teeth eventually cause the remaining teeth to rotate or shift into the empty spaces, resulting in a bad bite. The imbalance caused by missing teeth can also lead to gum disease and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.

A bridge is used to replace missing teeth, help to maintain the shape of your face, and to alleviate stress on your bite. It looks great, and literally bridges the gap where one or more teeth may have been. Your bridge can be made from gold, alloys, porcelain, or a combination of these materials and is bonded onto surrounding teeth for support.

We can help you decide which to use, based on the location of the missing tooth (or teeth), its function, aesthetic considerations and cost. Porcelain or ceramic bridges can be matched to the color of your natural teeth.

The success of any bridge depends on its foundation — the other teeth, gums, or bone to which it is attached. Therefore, it’s very important to keep your existing teeth, gums, and jaw healthy and strong.

The bridge may take a little while to get used to, but after a few days it should feel like you have your own teeth back again. You should eat soft foods for the first few days after having your bridge placed. After the initial phase, you will be able to eat whatever you want with no issues.

Full dentures – This is when all the teeth are removed and the tissue is given time to heal before the dentures are placed. It could take a month for the gum tissue to heal completely, and during this time you will be without teeth.

Partial dentures – They are attached to a metal frame that is connected to your natural teeth and are used to fill in where permanent teeth have been removed.

Your dentures may take some time to get used to. The flesh colored base of the dentures is placed over your gums. Some people say that it feels bulky or that they don’t have enough room for their tongue. Other times the dentures might feel loose. These feelings will affect the way you eat and talk for a little while. Over time, your mouth becomes trained to eat and speak with your dentures and they begin to feel more and more like your natural teeth. They may never feel perfectly comfortable, but it is much better than the alternative of not having teeth.

Even though dentures are not real teeth, you should care for them like they are. You should brush them to remove plaque and food particles. After they have been removed you should place them directly into room temperature water or a denture cleaning solution. Never use hot water because it could warp the dentures. Your dentures are delicate, so make sure you are careful when handling them so you don’t drop them. Also, never try to adjust your dentures yourself. You could ruin them, so you should always seek assistance from your dentist if they feel uncomfortable or loose.

Make sure to keep your tongue and gums clean as well

Are missing teeth making your life miserable?

Has it become difficult to eat your favorite foods?

Are you embarrassed in social situations due to gaps in your smile?

If so, dental implants may be able to help you and improve your quality of life.  These restorations provide a permanent foundation to support new crowns, and even your existing dentures can be anchored to them to eliminate the need for messy adhesives.

Dental implants can dramatically improve your health and confidence by allowing you to regain your beautiful and functional smile.

WHAT ARE DENTAL IMPLANTS?

An implant is a synthetic tooth root in the shape of a post that is surgically placed into the jawbone.  The “root”(implant)  is usually made of titanium –  the same material used in many replacement hips and knees, and a metal that is well-suited to pairing with human bone. A replacement tooth is then fixed to the post. The tooth can be either permanently attached or removable. Permanent teeth are more stable and feel more like natural teeth.

WHAT DENTAL IMPLANTS CAN DO?

Will look and feel like natural teeth.

With dental implants you will have more confidence to smile and even be able to bite an apple!

Replace one or more teeth without affecting adjacent teeth.
Full Mouth Rehabilitation with Dental Implants
Support a bridge and eliminate the need for a removable partial denture.
Support for a denture, making it more secure and comfortable.

Stop your gums and bone from shrinking which reduces the aging effect caused by losing teeth.

WHY OUR DENTAL IMPLANTS WILL MAKE YOU SMILE?

Unlike other treatments for missing teeth, such as dentures, dental implants are incredibly durable.

Implants are there to stay, meaning you won’t have to fiddle around with denture adhesive.

You will soon forget that you have had implants as they will look, feel and work just like your other teeth.

If you struggle eating or your speech has been affected, dental implants will get you back to your good old self  in no time.

Single tooth:  No longer are we forced to reduce the healthy enamel on teeth next to a missing tooth. An implant can be imbedded in the bone allowing the dentist to fabricate a tooth as strong as the one it replaces!

Multiple tooth replacement: For many years the only options available to replace multiple teeth were to wear a removable partial or have bridgework that attaches to your healthy remaining teeth. Implant supported bridges are a conservative approach in that you are not reducing your natural remaining dentition.

Dentures:  Most people that wear dentures have come to realize the many drawbacks that wearing dentures have compared to natural teeth. Implant supported dentures allow the patient a much better ability to chew and have secure feeling. Instead of floating around a patient’s mouth, the dentures are very stable allowing you to chew normally and….no sore spots!

HOW LONG IS THE DENTAL IMPLANT PROCESS?

The Dental Implant procedure is conducted in five phases:

Phase 1 – A trained dental surgeon devises a treatment plan specific to you.

Phase 2 – The dental implants are placed surgically under local anesthesia. Those who have undergone the procedure remark that the pain is less than that of a tooth being pulled out.

Phase 3 – This is the phase of healing and osseointegration, where the bone heals. The bone tissue that forms integrates with the implant so it’s securely fitted. This phase takes 3 months.

Phase 4 – Once the implant has been osseointergrated with the bone , a metallic round post or “gingival former” is placed for 15 days, which helps to form the gap in the gums to place the next post and teeth.

Phase 5 – A connector post or “abutment” is attached for the replacement tooth.

Phase 6 – This phase involves the reconstruction of the replacement tooth from the model of your bite made by taking impressions of your teeth. These help the dentist know the structure and arrangement of teeth specific to you. This process can take time and the dentist may give you a temporary crown, bridge or denture to carry out routine functions like talking or eating.

Once your replacement tooth is ready in all aspects including the color, it is placed onto the implanted post. In case of more than one implant, a single attachment can be placed to support dentures, instead of separate individual crowns.

IMPLANT MAINTENANCE:

After your smile has been restored with dental implants, it is important to keep the area clean and free of infection.  You’ll need to floss and brush daily, and you should also follow up with Dr.VR.PERI  for regular examinations.  Dental implants can accumulate plaque and tartar just as teeth can. Whether you have just one tooth replaced by an implant or several, professional cleanings will be necessary to keep your implants healthy.  The time interval for these professional cleanings will be determined by your individual needs.

IMPLANT-SUPPORTED DENTURES:

Implant-supported dentures are over-dentures fixed to the gums by two implants. For patients with an uncomfortable or loose-fitting denture, stabilizing it with two implants can be a more comfortable and functional solution.

Two implants are placed in the jaw, where they are anchored firmly in the surrounding bone. Attachments are placed in the underside of the denture that connect to the implants. When placed in the mouth, the denture snaps onto the implants, keeping it stable and secure.

What are the benefits of dentures supported by mini implants?

• People who opt for implant-supported dentures are more confident when they talk, laugh, and eat in public. You’ll never have to worry about your false teeth slipping or falling out while you eat or are engaged in conversation.
• Implant-supported dentures are far more comfortable because they are secure and feel like natural teeth. There is also less irritation of gum tissue; patients who have conventional dentures often suffer pain and canker sores.
• Implant-supported dentures look more natural than conventional dentures because less plastic is needed for retention. Wearing implant-supported dentures can also help your appearance in the long term by preventing jaw shrinkage and bone loss.
• Patients with conventional dentures have difficulty with speaking clearly. Slurred speech and clicking noises are common problems. Implant-supported dentures can help you relax and talk easily with a more clear and natural voice.
• Best of all, with implant-supported dentures, there is no need to use denture adhesives.

The process starts with a consultation to analyze your dental arch, teeth, jaw and smile. Special guides and temporary teeth will be made. After that on the day of your procedure Dr VR.Peri will remove the existing teeth in your dental arch and place dental implants for your new teeth.

For most clients there is no need for bone grafting or sinus lifting procedures to be done.

This technique consists of inserting 4 or 6 dental implants that support the temporary prosthesis with immediate weight bearing capacity.

Eventually the implants become part of the jawbone and serve as a long lasting foundation for your new teeth.