Category Archives: Implants
Revitalize Your Smile with Dental Implants at GPS Dental
When it comes to restoring a beautiful, functional smile after tooth loss, dental implants have become the gold standard in modern dentistry. If you’re in the San Antonio area, and considering this life-changing procedure, you’re on the right path to achieving a healthy, confident smile. This comprehensive guide will explore everything you need to know about dental implants San Antonio from the benefits and process to finding the right dental professional for your needs.
Understanding Dental Implants: What Are They?
Dental implants are artificial tooth roots made of biocompatible materials like titanium, surgically placed into the jawbone. These implants serve as a sturdy foundation for fixed or removable replacement teeth, such as crowns, bridges, or dentures. The result is a restoration that looks, feels, and functions like natural teeth.
Unlike traditional dentures or bridges, dental implants offer a permanent solution to tooth loss. They are designed to fuse with your jawbone through a process called osseointegration, providing exceptional stability and durability.
Why Choose Dental Implants San Antonio?
San Antonio is home to Dr. Gary P. Skrobanek’s dental office in the thriving community of Brooks City Base with an expert team of dental professionals who specialize in implant dentistry. Here are some compelling reasons why you should consider dental implants if you have a missing tooth:
- Permanent and Long-Lasting Solution: Dental implants are designed to last a lifetime with proper care. Unlike other tooth replacement options that may need frequent adjustments or replacements, implants are a long-term investment in your oral health.
- Natural Look and Feel: Implants are crafted to match the size, shape, and color of your natural teeth, providing a seamless appearance. They also function like natural teeth, allowing you to eat, speak, and smile confidently without worrying about slippage or discomfort.
- Improved Oral Health: Dental implants do not require the alteration of adjacent teeth, as bridges do. This preserves the health of your surrounding teeth. Additionally, implants stimulate the jawbone, preventing bone loss and maintaining the natural structure of your face.
- Enhanced Quality of Life: With dental implants, you can enjoy your favorite foods without restriction and speak clearly without the fear of dentures slipping. This leads to an overall improvement in your quality of life.
- Convenience: The office of Gary P. Skrobanek, DDS at GPS Dental offers a convenient location for residents and those in surrounding areas and is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and experienced professionals.
The Dental Implant Process
Getting dental implants is a multi-step process that requires careful planning and precision. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect when pursuing dental implants with Dr. Skrobanek’s team of experts:
1. Initial Consultation and Examination
Your journey begins with a comprehensive consultation with a dental implant specialist at our office in the San Antonio TX. During this visit, your dentist will assess your oral health, discuss your medical history, and take digital X-rays or 3D scans to evaluate the condition of your jawbone and surrounding teeth. This information is crucial in determining whether you are a suitable candidate for dental implants.
2. Customized Treatment Plan
Once the initial assessment is complete, your dentist will develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. This plan will outline the steps of the implant process, the timeline, and the costs involved. If you require any preliminary treatments, such as bone grafting or tooth extractions, these will be scheduled before the implant surgery.
3. Implant Placement Surgery
The next step is the surgical placement of the dental implants. This procedure is typically performed under local anesthesia, although sedation options are available for patients who may feel anxious. During the surgery, your dentist will make an incision in the gum tissue to expose the jawbone, where the implant will be placed. The implant is then inserted into the bone, and the gum tissue is stitched back into place.
4. Healing and Osseointegration
After the implant is placed, a healing period of several months is necessary to allow the implant to integrate with the jawbone. This process, known as osseointegration, is critical for the long-term success of the implant. During this time, your dentist may provide you with a temporary restoration to maintain the appearance of your smile.
5. Abutment Placement
Once osseointegration is complete, a small connector called an abutment is attached to the implant. The abutment serves as the foundation for the final restoration, whether it’s a crown, bridge, or denture. This step is typically a minor procedure performed under local anesthesia.
6. Final Restoration
The final step in the dental implant process is the placement of the custom-made restoration. Your dentist will take impressions of your mouth to create a restoration that perfectly fits your bite and matches the color and shape of your natural teeth. Once the restoration is ready, it is securely attached to the abutment, completing your new smile.
Are You a Candidate for Dental Implants?
While dental implants are an excellent solution for many people, not everyone is an ideal candidate. Certain factors, such as bone density, overall health, and oral hygiene, play a significant role in determining whether implants are right for you.
Here are some considerations:
- Sufficient Jawbone Density: Implants require a strong, healthy jawbone to anchor them securely. If you have experienced significant bone loss, you may need a bone graft to build up the bone before implant placement.
- Good Oral Hygiene: Maintaining good oral hygiene is essential for the long-term success of dental implants. Candidates must commit to regular brushing, flossing, and dental check-ups to prevent complications such as infection or implant failure.
- Overall Health: Certain medical conditions, such as uncontrolled diabetes or autoimmune disorders, can affect the healing process and the success of dental implants. Your dentist will evaluate your overall health and discuss any potential risks.
- Non-Smoker: Smoking can interfere with the healing process and increase the risk of implant failure. If you smoke, your dentist may advise quitting before undergoing the procedure.
Choosing the Right Dental Implant Specialist
Selecting a skilled and experienced dental implant specialist is crucial for achieving the best possible results. Here are some tips for finding the right dental team for you:
- Check Credentials: Look for a dentist who has specialized training in implant dentistry. This may include advanced education, certifications, and memberships in professional organizations such as the American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID).
- Experience: Ask about the dentist’s experience with dental implants, including the number of successful cases they have performed. An experienced dentist is more likely to handle complex cases and provide optimal results.
- Technology: Choose a dental practice that utilizes the latest technology, such as 3D imaging, digital impressions, and computer-guided surgery. These tools enhance precision and improve the outcome of your treatment.
- Patient Reviews: Read reviews and testimonials from previous patients to get a sense of the dentist’s reputation and the quality of care they provide. Positive feedback from satisfied patients is a good indicator of a trustworthy practitioner.
- Consultation: Schedule a consultation with the dentist to discuss your options and ask any questions you may have. This meeting is an opportunity to gauge your comfort level with the dentist and their team.
Invest in Your Smile with Dental Implants in San Antonio, TX
Dental implants are a life-changing solution for those dealing with tooth loss, offering a permanent, natural-looking replacement that can enhance both your appearance and your quality of life. If you’re in the San Antonio, TX area and considering dental implants, take the time to find a qualified specialist, like the team at GPS Dental, who can guide you through the process with expertise and care.
With the right team of dental professionals, you can restore your smile’s beauty and functionality, allowing you to eat, speak, and smile with confidence. Don’t let missing teeth hold you back—explore the benefits of dental implants and take the first step toward a brighter, healthier future.
Dr. Gary P. Skrobanek’s experienced and friendly team at GPS Dental offers affordable dental care for all ages in San Antonio, TX area. Our Brooks City Base dentist office is conveniently located and offers early morning appointment times Monday through Friday to meet your needs. At GPS Dental, we promote dental health awareness to our patients and provide most dental services, from family and general dentistry to dental implants, sleep apnea, TMJ / TMD Treatment, cosmetic dentistry and much more. We accept most dental insurance plans and offer affordable financial solutions for any budget. Call us at 210-633-3477 to make an appointment.
Options to Fix a Broken Tooth: A Comprehensive Guide
A broken tooth can be a distressing experience, impacting not just your smile but also your confidence and overall oral health. Whether it’s a minor chip or a more severe fracture, addressing the issue promptly is crucial. Fortunately, modern dentistry offers a range of solutions tailored to restore both the function and aesthetics of your teeth. In this blog, we’ll explore the various options available to fix a broken tooth, from simple bonding techniques to more advanced restorative procedures, helping you understand what to expect and how to choose the best treatment for your needs.
Understanding the Types of Tooth Damage
Before delving into the treatment options, it’s important to understand the different types of tooth damage:
- Minor Chips: Small pieces of enamel that break off.
- Cracks: Visible or invisible lines that run through the tooth.
- Fractures: Larger breaks that may affect the tooth structure significantly.
- Split Tooth: A crack that runs from the surface to the root.
- Decay-Induced Breaks: When a tooth weakens and breaks due to cavities.
Each type of damage requires a specific approach for effective treatment.
Immediate Steps to Take
If you break a tooth, the first thing you should do is rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area. If there’s bleeding, apply pressure with a piece of gauze until it stops. Applying a cold compress on the outside of the mouth, cheek, or lip near the broken tooth can help reduce swelling and relieve pain. Over-the-counter pain relievers can also help manage discomfort until you see your dentist.
Treatment Options
- Dental Bonding
Dental bonding is an ideal solution for minor chips and cracks. This procedure involves applying a tooth-colored resin material to the damaged area, which is then shaped and polished to match the surrounding teeth. Bonding is relatively quick, often completed in a single visit, and is less expensive than other cosmetic procedures. It’s particularly suitable for front teeth or areas with minimal bite pressure.
- Dental Veneers
For more extensive cosmetic damage, dental veneers may be the preferred option. Veneers are thin, custom-made shells designed to cover the front surface of the teeth. Made from porcelain or composite resin, they provide a natural appearance and are resistant to staining. The procedure typically requires two visits – one for tooth preparation and another for veneer placement. Veneers are an excellent choice for improving the appearance of chipped, discolored, or slightly misaligned teeth.
- Dental Crowns
When a tooth is significantly damaged or weakened, a dental crown can provide a robust solution. Crowns, also known as caps, cover the entire tooth, restoring its shape, size, and strength. Made from materials such as porcelain, metal, or a combination of both, crowns are durable and can last many years with proper care. The process involves reshaping the tooth to fit the crown and taking an impression to create a custom-fit cap, usually requiring two visits. Learn more here.
- Root Canal Therapy
If a crack or break extends into the pulp of the tooth, causing pain or infection, root canal therapy may be necessary. This procedure involves removing the damaged or infected pulp, cleaning the inside of the tooth, and sealing it to prevent further infection. After a root canal, a crown is typically placed over the tooth to restore its strength and functionality. Root canals can save a severely damaged tooth that might otherwise need extraction.
- Dental Implants
In cases where the tooth is beyond repair and must be extracted, dental implants offer a permanent solution. An implant involves placing a titanium post into the jawbone, which acts as a root for a replacement tooth. A custom-made crown is then attached to the post. Implants are highly durable and function like natural teeth. The process requires several months as the bone needs to heal around the implant, but the result is a long-lasting and aesthetically pleasing restoration.
- Inlays and Onlays
For damage that is too extensive for a filling but not severe enough to require a crown, inlays and onlays can be an effective solution. These restorations are custom-made fillings that fit into or onto the damaged tooth. Inlays fill the space between the cusps of the tooth, while onlays cover one or more cusps. Made from porcelain, composite resin, or gold, inlays and onlays are bonded to the tooth, providing a strong and durable restoration.
Choosing the Right Option
Selecting the appropriate treatment for a broken tooth depends on several factors:
- Extent of Damage: Minor chips may only need bonding, while severe fractures might require crowns or implants.
- Location of the Tooth: Front teeth, which are more visible, often require aesthetically pleasing solutions like veneers, while molars, which endure more pressure, need stronger restorations like crowns or onlays.
- Cost Considerations: Budget can influence the choice of treatment. Bonding and fillings are generally less expensive, while veneers, crowns, and implants are more costly but offer longer-lasting results.
- Oral Health: The overall health of your mouth can impact the treatment decision. For instance, if there are signs of infection or extensive decay, a root canal might be necessary before any restorative work.
Preventing Future Damage
While accidents happen, there are steps you can take to minimize the risk of breaking a tooth:
- Avoid Hard Foods: Steer clear of chewing on ice, hard candy, or popcorn kernels.
- Wear a Mouthguard: If you play contact sports or grind your teeth at night, a mouthguard can protect your teeth from damage.
- Maintain Good Oral Hygiene: Regular brushing, flossing, and dental check-ups can help keep your teeth strong and healthy.
- Address Dental Issues Promptly: Treat cavities and other dental problems early to prevent them from weakening your teeth.
What can be done to restore your smile?
When damage or trauma effects your smile, Dr. Skrobanek offers multiple options to restore your tooth’s natural appearance and function. Now you know what to do when you break or lose a tooth! Give GPS Dental a call right away and we’ll quickly fix your smile using restorative dental options, including:
- Dental inlays
- Onlays
- Porcelain Crowns
- Implants
- Bridges
- Dentures
We also offer emergency tooth repair! When you are in need of urgent dental care, you can count on Dr. Skrobanek and his team at GPS Dental to deliver the high-quality treatment you need right away. Urgent root canals and other dental emergencies require timely care in order to alleviate pain and address problematic damage or infection.
Repairing a broken or chipped tooth: https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/repairing-a-chipped-or-broken-tooth
Learn more: https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-fix-a-chipped-tooth
GPS Dental Can Repair Your Broken Tooth
A broken tooth can be a distressing experience, but with the array of modern dental solutions available, it’s possible to restore both function and aesthetics effectively. Whether you need a simple bonding procedure or a more complex treatment like a dental implant, consulting with your dentist will help you determine the best course of action. By taking preventive measures and seeking prompt treatment, you can maintain a healthy, confident smile.
Dr. Gary P. Skrobanek is a dental implant dentist and his experienced, friendly team at GPS Dental offer affordable family dentistry and gentle dental care in the San Antonio, TX area. Our Brooks City Base dentist office is conveniently located and offers early morning appointment times Monday through Friday to meet your needs. At GPS Dental, we provide most dental services, from family and general dentistry to dental implants, sleep apnea, TMJ / TMD Treatment, cosmetic dentistry and much more. We accept most dental insurance plans and offer affordable financial solutions for any budget. Call us at (210) 633-3477 to make an appointment.
Your Dental Implant San Antonio Experts Can Restore Your Smile
Welcome to more comprehensive information on dental implants from your Dental Implant San Antonio Experts, where we delve into the transformative world of restoring smiles and oral health. In this blog, we’ll explore things you need to know about dental implants, including the reasons people seek out tooth replacement options to understanding the main reasons people choose dental implants. Whether you’re considering implants to replace a single tooth or seeking a full-mouth restoration solution, join us on this journey to uncover the key benefits, considerations, and insights that will empower you to make informed decisions about your dental health.
Why Would You Choose to Replace a Missing Tooth?
People seek tooth replacement options for various reasons, including:
- Restore Function: Missing teeth can impair chewing and speaking abilities, making it difficult to eat certain foods or communicate clearly. Tooth replacement options such as dental implants, bridges, or dentures can restore proper function to the mouth, allowing individuals to eat, speak, and smile with confidence.
- Preserve Oral Health: Missing teeth can lead to oral health issues such as shifting of adjacent teeth, bone loss in the jaw, and an increased risk of gum disease and tooth decay. Tooth replacement helps maintain proper dental alignment, support bone structure, and prevent further oral health problems.
- Prevent Jawbone Loss: When a tooth is lost, the underlying jawbone can begin to deteriorate over time due to lack of stimulation from chewing forces. Dental implants mimic the function of natural tooth roots, helping preserve bone density and prevent jawbone loss.
- Improve Quality of Life: Missing teeth can have a significant impact on overall quality of life, affecting social interactions, self-esteem, and emotional well-being. Tooth replacement options offer a functional and aesthetic solution that allows individuals to enjoy a full and active lifestyle without limitations.
- Maintain Facial Structure: Teeth provide support to the lips, cheeks, and facial muscles, contributing to facial symmetry and structure. Missing teeth can cause changes in facial appearance, leading to a sunken or aged appearance. Tooth replacement helps maintain facial volume and restore a youthful appearance.
- Aesthetic Concerns: Gaps in the smile caused by missing teeth can detract from one’s appearance and affect self-confidence. Tooth replacement options are designed to restore a natural-looking smile, enhancing facial aesthetics and boosting self-esteem.
- Enhance Oral Function: Tooth loss can affect bite alignment and jaw function, leading to problems such as temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders or difficulty pronouncing certain sounds. Tooth replacement options aim to restore oral function and promote proper jaw alignment for improved comfort and speech.
Overall, tooth replacement options offer a range of benefits for individuals with missing teeth, helping them maintain oral health, restore function and aesthetics, and enhance their overall quality of life.
What are Your Tooth Replacement Options?
The most popular tooth replacement options include:
- Dental Implants: Dental implants are considered the gold standard for tooth replacement due to their durability, stability, and natural appearance. They consist of titanium posts surgically implanted into the jawbone, which serve as artificial tooth roots. These implants are topped with dental crowns, bridges, or dentures to replace missing teeth. Dental implants offer long-term benefits, including preservation of jawbone density and optimal oral function.
- Dental Bridges: Dental bridges are prosthetic devices that bridge the gap created by one or more missing teeth. They typically consist of one or more artificial teeth (pontics) anchored to adjacent natural teeth or dental implants. Dental bridges are fixed in place and provide a stable and functional solution for replacing missing teeth.
- Dentures: Dentures are removable prosthetic devices designed to replace multiple missing teeth or an entire dental arch. They can be full dentures, replacing all the teeth in the upper or lower jaw, or partial dentures, replacing only a few missing teeth. Dentures are typically made of acrylic or a combination of acrylic and metal and are customized to fit the patient’s mouth comfortably and securely.
- Implant-Supported Dentures: Implant-supported dentures combine the stability and durability of dental implants with the convenience of dentures. Dental implants are used to anchor and support the dentures, providing increased stability, comfort, and chewing efficiency compared to traditional removable dentures.
- Removable Partial Dentures: Removable partial dentures are used to replace one or more missing teeth in a dental arch. They consist of artificial teeth attached to a removable metal or acrylic framework that clasps onto adjacent natural teeth for support. Removable partial dentures are a more affordable alternative to dental implants or fixed bridges.
The preference for a specific tooth replacement option often depends on factors such as the number of missing teeth, overall oral health, budget, and personal preferences. Consulting with your Dental Implant San Antonio Experts can help individuals determine the most suitable tooth replacement option based on their individual needs and circumstances.
Related Articles:
- Tooth Replacement Game Changer: Dental Implants San Antonio
- Implant Overview by The American Dental Association
What Factors Should You Consider When Choosing a Tooth Replacement?
The preference for a tooth replacement option can vary depending on factors such as individual needs, preferences, budget, and oral health status. However, dental implants are widely considered one of the most preferred tooth replacement options by both patients and your Dental Implant San Antonio Experts.
Dental implants offer several advantages that make them popular among patients:
- Durability: Dental implants are designed to be a permanent solution for tooth replacement, offering exceptional durability and longevity when properly cared for. With proper maintenance, dental implants can last a lifetime.
- Natural Appearance: Implants closely mimic the appearance and function of natural teeth, providing a seamless and natural-looking smile. The crown attached to the implant is custom-made to match the color, shape, and size of surrounding teeth, ensuring a harmonious and aesthetic result.
- Bone Preservation: Dental implants integrate with the jawbone through a process called osseointegration, which helps preserve bone density and prevent bone loss in the jaw. This feature helps maintain facial structure and prevent the sunken appearance often associated with tooth loss.
- Stability and Functionality: Dental implants function like natural teeth, offering stability and strength for chewing, biting, and speaking. Unlike removable dentures, implants remain firmly anchored in the jaw, providing a more comfortable and secure fit.
- Convenience: Once dental implants are placed and restored with crowns, bridges, or dentures, they require minimal special care beyond regular oral hygiene practices such as brushing, flossing, and routine dental visits.
While dental implants are a popular choice for tooth replacement, other options such as bridges and dentures may be more suitable for certain individuals based on factors such as cost, oral health, and personal preferences. Ultimately, the best tooth replacement option depends on a thorough evaluation and discussion with Dr. Skrobanek and your Dental Implant San Antonio Experts at GPS Dental to determine the most suitable treatment plan for each individual.
We Want to be Your Dental Implants San Antonio Experts
As we conclude this exploration of dental implants, we hope you’ve gained valuable insights into the remarkable benefits they offer for restoring both function and aesthetics to your smile. Remember, investing in your oral health is an investment in your overall well-being. Whether you’re ready to take the next step towards a confident, fully restored smile or simply seeking further guidance, our Dental Implant San Antonio Experts are here to support you every step of the way. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and discover how dental implants can positively transform your life.
Dr. Gary P. Skrobanek’s experienced and friendly team at GPS Dental offers affordable dental care for all ages in San Antonio, TX area. Our Brooks City Base dentist office is conveniently located and offers early morning appointment times Monday through Friday to meet your needs. At GPS Dental, we promote dental health awareness to our patients and provide most dental services, from family and general dentistry to dental implants, sleep apnea, TMJ / TMD Treatment, cosmetic dentistry and much more. We accept most dental insurance plans and offer affordable financial solutions for any budget. Call us at 210-633-3477 to make an appointment.
Tooth Replacement Game Changer: Dental Implants San Antonio
Replacing a Tooth with a Dental Implants San Antonio Changes Everything
One of the most common options to replace a missing tooth is with a dental implant.
Gone are the days of looking older than necessary because of a sagging jawline due to one or more missing teeth. (And dentures are no longer the only option!) Dental implants offer a permanent replacement for missing teeth and an effective solution that will look and feel as natural as your original teeth. And an implant may cost far less than you expect.
Dental implants are the real deal! Did you know that dental implants enhance your smile by giving you teeth that look, function, and feel like your natural teeth and last for many years to come? If you’ve been dealing with missing teeth, then now is the time to finally restore your smile and boost your confidence and oral health. Whether you’ve dealt with tooth loss from decay, an accident, or wear and tear – we love helping our patients restore missing teeth with successful, long-lasting dental implants.
What Happens When You Lose a Tooth?
When you lose a tooth, several physiological and functional changes occur, affecting both the immediate area of tooth loss and potentially other aspects of your oral health. Here are some of the common consequences of losing a tooth:
- Loss of Function:
- The most immediate and noticeable effect is a loss of function in the area where the tooth was. This can impact your ability to bite and chew properly, potentially leading to changes in your eating habits.
- Changes in Speech:
- Missing teeth can affect your speech, causing difficulties in pronunciation or altering the way certain words sound. This is particularly true if the missing tooth is in a prominent location.
- Shifting of Adjacent Teeth:
- The teeth adjacent to the space left by the missing tooth may start to shift into the gap. This movement can result in misalignment and changes to your bite, potentially leading to issues like malocclusion.
- Bone Loss:
- The roots of the teeth play a crucial role in stimulating the underlying jawbone. When a tooth is lost, the lack of stimulation can lead to bone resorption (loss), affecting the density and volume of the jawbone over time.
- Aesthetic Changes:
- A missing tooth can impact your smile and facial aesthetics. Gaps in the teeth may affect your self-esteem and how you perceive your appearance.
- Gum Changes:
- The gum tissue around the area where the tooth is missing may undergo changes. It may recede, and the surrounding gums may become more susceptible to inflammation and infection.
- Difficulty in Oral Hygiene:
- Maintaining proper oral hygiene may become more challenging when a tooth is missing. The gap can trap food particles, and the shifted adjacent teeth may create spaces that are difficult to clean.
- Functional Imbalance:
- Losing a tooth can create an imbalance in the distribution of forces during biting and chewing. This can lead to increased stress on remaining teeth, potentially resulting in wear and tear.
- TMJ Issues:
- Changes in the alignment of teeth and the bite can contribute to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) issues, leading to symptoms such as jaw pain, headaches, and difficulty opening and closing the mouth.
- Psychological Impact:
- The loss of a tooth can have psychological and social effects, affecting self-confidence and interpersonal relationships. Individuals may feel self-conscious about smiling or speaking in public.
To address the consequences of tooth loss, various dental solutions are available at dental implants San Antonio, including dental implants, bridges, and dentures. Seeking timely dental care and discussing replacement options with a dentist can help mitigate the long-term effects of losing a tooth.
What Are Dental Implants and Their Advantages?
Made from titanium, dental implants act like artificial roots that can be permanently placed in the patient’s jaw bone to support a replacement tooth – often included in dental treatments with dental crowns, dentures, or bridges. As the gum tissue and bone grow around the dental implant, they become a permanent anchor. A natural-looking porcelain crown will be custom made giving our patients a beautifully finished result that is attractive, yet helps improve chewing, maintain bone and prevent teeth from changing positions. Implants are also the only option that can replace a tooth and prevent bone loss because those titanium roots act like natural tooth roots and promote new bone growth; they can even prevent future problems with a patient’s bite.
If you are a dental implant candidate, they also,
- Restore facial structure and youthful smile
- Feel and function just like your natural teeth
- Prevent teeth from shifting toward any gaps, which can alter your bite or facial structure
- Provide no eating restrictions
The Dental implant procedure is one of the most predictable and safest procedures in dentistry. They’re very durable and can last a lifetime if they are taken care of.
Related Articles:
- GPS Dental Can Restore Your Tooth and Your Smile
- An Overview of Dental Implant Surgery from Mayo Clinic
- Read this Implant Overview by The American Dental Association
Replace a Tooth: Basics of Implants
Today’s modern science has created a wonderful solution for missing teeth that has a huge success rate – dental implants. So, what are they exactly?
Dental implants are devices consisting of small posts often made of titanium used to replace a tooth. These posts are replacements for natural tooth roots and will connect to an abutment, which is built on top of the implant post. The abutment allows the artificial tooth to be connected to the implant post. Three parts come together to create one naturally-looking, strong tooth created by the dental implants San Antonio experts.
Getting a dental implant requires a surgical procedure. Dr. Skrobanek will use a local anesthetic to make sure you’re pain free, and then the titanium implant will be placed into the jaw bone. Before the surgical procedure takes place, you will meet with your dental implants San Antonio dentist to come up with a personalized treatment plan that fits your needs.
Learn More: What to Know About Dental Implants
Replace a Tooth: Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants have become a popular and widely preferred tooth replacement option due to several benefits and a high success rate. Here are some key reasons why dental implants are favored:
- Natural Appearance:
- Dental implants closely resemble natural teeth in both appearance and function. The crown, which is the visible part of the implant, is custom-made to match the color, shape, and size of surrounding teeth.
- Improved Functionality:
- Dental implants function like natural teeth, providing stability and strength for biting and chewing. This allows individuals to eat a wide variety of foods without the restrictions often associated with other tooth replacement options.
- Durability and Longevity:
- Dental implants are known for their durability and longevity. With proper care and maintenance, they can last for many years, often a lifetime, making them a cost-effective solution over the long term.
- Preservation of Jawbone:
- Unlike traditional bridges or dentures, dental implants stimulate the jawbone in a manner similar to natural tooth roots. This helps prevent bone loss and maintains the integrity of the jawbone structure.
- Adjacent Tooth Preservation:
- Dental implants do not rely on adjacent teeth for support, as is the case with dental bridges. This means that neighboring healthy teeth are not altered or compromised to accommodate the implant.
- Improved Oral Health:
- Dental implants contribute to better oral health by filling the gap left by a missing tooth. They are easier to clean than some alternatives, and they don’t contribute to decay or damage of adjacent teeth.
- Comfort and Convenience:
- Dental implants become a permanent part of the jawbone, providing a stable and comfortable foundation. Unlike removable dentures, there is no risk of slippage or discomfort during speaking or eating.
- Enhanced Speech:
- Ill-fitting dentures or gaps from missing teeth can affect speech. Dental implants provide a stable and natural-feeling foundation, contributing to improved speech clarity.
- High Success Rate:
- Dental implant surgery has a high success rate when performed by a skilled and experienced dental professional. With proper care and maintenance, the success rate of dental implants is typically over 95%.
- Aesthetic Confidence:
- Dental implants can restore a person’s smile and facial aesthetics, enhancing self-confidence and overall well-being. The natural-looking results contribute to a more aesthetically pleasing appearance.
While dental implants offer numerous benefits, it’s essential to note that not everyone is a suitable candidate for implant surgery. Factors such as overall health, jawbone density, and oral hygiene play a role in determining eligibility. Consulting with your dental implants San Antonio specialists is crucial for a comprehensive evaluation and personalized treatment plan.
Learn more about why this popular treatment to replace a tooth is so successful through some of our blogs:
- Replace a Tooth: What You Need to Know About Dental Implants
- Smile: Dental Implant Tooth Replacement Can Restore Your Missing Tooth
Are You a Good Dental Implant Candidate?
If dental implants sound like a good option for you, it’s helpful to know if you may be considered a candidate for them. You and your dental implant Independence dentists will discuss this in more detail, but here are some of the basics:
- Healthy enough for surgery with good oral health hygiene habits
- Right amount of bone mass for the implants
- Teeth and gums are in good standing health
- Patience for the process, it can take some time to be fully completed and willing to invest the time for dental implants – which can take multiple appointments
- A non-smoker or willing to stop smoking
These are common signs that your dental implants Independence dentists will look for when considering if you’re a good dental implant candidate.
Customized Restorative Dentistry that is Best for YOU
If you are interested in tooth replacement, it’s a good idea to discuss it carefully with Dr. Skrobanek and your dental implants San Antonio dental team first. If you are in good general health, one of these tooth replacement options, dentures, bridges, or dental implants, should be a good fit for you. In fact, your health is more of a factor than your age. Chronic illnesses, such as diabetes or leukemia, may interfere with healing and patients with these issues may not be good candidates for certain replacement options. Remember, using tobacco can also slow healing, regardless of which type of treatment you decide on.
Schedule a consultation with your dental implants San Antonio expert at GPS Dental to see if you are a dental implant candidate for our implant technology. It might be the perfect remedy to preserve a youthful appearance and restore the function of your bite.
Dr. Gary P. Skrobanek’s experienced and friendly team at GPS Dental offers affordable dental care for all ages in San Antonio, TX area. Our Brooks City Base dentist office is conveniently located and offers early morning appointment times Monday through Friday to meet your needs. At GPS Dental, we promote dental health awareness to our patients and provide most dental services, from family and general dentistry to dental implants, sleep apnea, TMJ / TMD Treatment, cosmetic dentistry and much more. We accept most dental insurance plans and offer affordable financial solutions for any budget. Call us at 210-633-3477 to make an appointment.
GPS Dental Can Restore Your Missing Tooth and Your Smile
If you’re missing teeth, those daily tasks can become a challenge; however, we can help you restore your missing tooth and your smile. While keeping your natural teeth is always the number one option, sometimes replacement options are needed to restore and maintain a healthy smile. We can help you decide which of our tooth replacement options, implants, dentures, or implant-supported dentures, is best for you and your smile goals.
It’s so important to our daily lives that we can smile, eat, and talk with confidence. At GPS Dental, we want to make sure our patients always have strong and healthy smiles.
Why Should You Restore Your Missing Tooth?
When one of our patients comes in with a missing tooth, they typically have questions. So, we thought we’d try to answer some of the most frequently asked questions related to missing tooth restoration below.
Q. Why should I replace missing teeth?
A. Our patients always realize that a missing tooth affects their appearance; however, that’s not the only reason we should discuss options to restore your missing tooth. Here are 3 main reasons:
- Your appearance.
- The gap left by a missing tooth can mean more strain is put on the teeth at either side.
- A gap can also mean your ‘bite’ is affected, because the teeth next to the space can lean into the gap and change the way the upper and lower teeth bite together. This can lead to food getting packed into the gap, which causes tooth decay and gum disease.
Q. What happens if I don’t replace my missing tooth quickly?
A. When a tooth is lost, the bone that used to support it disappears quickly. This leads to:
- shifting teeth
- tooth trauma
- periodontal disease
- aging of facial features
- unnatural gums around a future tooth replacement
- lack of bone support for future tooth replacement
Q. How are missing teeth replaced?
A. This depends on the number of teeth missing and on where they are in your mouth. The condition of the remaining teeth also affects the decision.
There are three main ways to replace missing teeth: dental implant, bridge or dentures:
- Dental Implant: an artificial root is placed into the bone of the jaw and a crown or bridge is placed on top.
- Partial or Full Denture: removable false tooth (or teeth).
- Implant-Supported Dentures: An implant-supported denture is an oral appliance that replaces several teeth at once. It’s similar to a traditional denture. But instead of resting on top of your gums, an implant-supported denture attaches directly to your jawbone using dental implants.
Let’s explain dental implant, dentures, and implant-supported dentures in a little more depth …
Restore Your Missing Tooth with Dental Implants
Dental implants act like artificial roots that can be permanently placed in the patient’s jawbone. As the gum tissue and bone grow around the dental implant, they become permanent anchors. A natural-looking porcelain crown will be made giving our patients a beautifully finished result that is attractive, yet helps to improve chewing, maintain bone, and prevent teeth from changing positions. Dental implants can even prevent future problems with a patient’s bite.
Dental implants offer a permanent replacement for missing teeth and an effective solution that will look and feel as natural as your original teeth.
Dental Implant Process:
Dental implants can fix multiple teeth, a single tooth, or a full set of teeth – so the options are plentiful, making dental implants a popular option for replacement. Implants require three major steps to consider and can take a series of visits to our office to fully complete the process:
- Surgical implant placement
- Healing from the surgical placement of the implant(s)/temporary teeth placement
- Replacement of any missing teeth with crowns
While the process may sound extensive, the benefits of dental implants are many.
Dental Implant Benefits:
- Look and act like natural teeth
- Durable, long-lasting
- Feel strong and stable
- Help preserve bone tissue and bone
- Allow you to brush and floss normally
Learn More about Dental Implants HERE.
Restore Your Missing Tooth with Dentures
We fit dentures to replace all or some of the teeth in the upper and/or lower jaw. Dentures improve your confidence when you smile, as well as the clarity of your speech and your ability to chew. Modern dentures provide a firm hold and natural appearance to ensure maximum comfort and function.
- Partial Denture: This is a plate with one or more false teeth on it. It may be all plastic or a mixture of metal and plastic. Both types may have clips (clasps) to help keep the denture in place in your mouth. Depending on where they are, some of these clips may show when you smile or open your mouth.
- Full Denture: Full dentures are a set of custom-made removable replacements for missing teeth. Usually, they require all the teeth in the upper and/or lower half of the mouth to be removed; after removal, the gums must heal over before the dentures can be fitted.
The keyword is: “REMOVABLE“ …
Unlike dental implants and implant-supported dentures, traditional partial or full dentures are removable (not permanently implanted into your mouth). We have a lot of patients who choose Dentures because they can be a quick, non-invasive, and more affordable fix to missing teeth.
If you’re experiencing tooth loss from gum disease, injury, or tooth decay, dentures can help your appearance and smile and restore your ability to speak and eat.
Learn More about Dentures HERE.
Restore Your Missing Tooth with Implant-Supported Dentures
While implant-supported dentures are like traditional dentures, the difference lies in the use of implants for retention instead of adhesive. The implant can reduce the bulkiness of traditional dentures and give more space for the tongue.
This means that the ability to taste food with implant-supported dentures will be greatly enhanced. They’re also sturdier and there’s no need for any adhesive at any time because the dentures are so well supported by the implants. This helps preserve bone, tissue, and muscle tone in the face as well to maintain a more youthful appearance.
Learn More about Implant Supported Dentures HERE.
Related Articles:
- Restore Your Missing Tooth: Dental Implant, Bridge, Or Dentures
- Tooth Replacement: Choosing Between Dental Implants and Dentures
GPS Dental Can Restore Your Smile and Your Confidence
If you’re not sure which tooth replacement option is best to restore your missing tooth and your smile: dental implants, dentures, or implant-supported dentures, schedule your Smile Consultation appointment with Dr. Skrobanek and his expert team in San Antonio, Texas. There is not a one size fits all treatment plan when it comes to tooth replacement, after a thorough exam and a discussion about your smile goals, we will create a customized treatment plan for your individual needs to restore your smile and your confidence.
Dr. Gary P. Skrobanek’s experienced and friendly team at GPS Dental offers family dentistry for all ages in San Antonio, TX area. Our Brooks City Base dentist office is conveniently located and offers early morning appointment times Monday through Friday to meet your needs. At GPS Dental, we promote dental health awareness to our patients and provide most dental services, from family and general dentistry to dental implants, sleep apnea, TMJ / TMD Treatment, cosmetic dentistry and much more. We accept most dental insurance plans and offer affordable financial solutions for any budget. Call us at 210-633-3477 to make an appointment.
Replace a Tooth: What You Need to Know about Dental Implants
Replacing a Tooth with a Dental Implant changes everything
One of the most common options to replace a missing tooth is with a dental implant.
Dental implants are the real deal! Did you know that dental implants enhance your smile by giving you teeth that look, function, and feel like your natural teeth and last for many years to come? If you’ve been dealing with missing teeth, then now is the time to finally restore your smile and boost your confidence and oral health. Whether you’ve dealt with tooth loss from decay, an accident, or wear and tear – we love helping our patients restore missing teeth with successful, long-lasting dental implants.
What Happens When You Lose a Tooth?
When a tooth is lost, the bone that used to support it disappears quickly.
This leads to:
- shifting teeth
- tooth trauma and periodontal disease
- aging of facial features and unnatural gums around a future tooth replacement
- lack of bone support for future tooth replacement
Gone are the days of looking older than necessary because of a sagging jawline due to one or more missing teeth. (And dentures are no longer the only option!) Dental implants offer a permanent replacement for missing teeth and an effective solution that will look and feel as natural as your original teeth. And an implant may cost far less than you expect.
Read this Implant Overview by The American Dental Association
Related Article: Restore Missing Teeth with Dental Implants
What Are Dental Implants and Their Advantages?
Made from titanium, dental implants act like artificial roots that can be permanently placed in the patient’s jaw bone to support a replacement tooth – often included in dental treatments with dental crowns, dentures, or bridges. As the gum tissue and bone grow around the dental implant, they become a permanent anchor. A natural-looking porcelain crown will be custom made giving our patients a beautifully finished result that is attractive, yet helps improve chewing, maintain bone and prevent teeth from changing positions. Implants are also the only option that can replace a tooth and prevent bone loss because those titanium roots act like natural tooth roots and promote new bone growth; they can even prevent future problems with a patient’s bite.
If you are a dental implant candidate, they also,
- Prevent teeth from shifting toward any gaps, which can alter your bite or facial structure
- Restore facial structure and youthful smile
- Feel and function just like your natural teeth
- Provide no eating restrictions
The Dental implant procedure is one of the most predictable and safest procedures in dentistry. They’re very durable and can last a lifetime if they are taken care of.
An Overview of Dental Implant Surgery from Mayo Clinic
Related Article: Tooth Replacement: Are You a Dental Implant Candidate?
Replace a Tooth: Basics of Implants
Humans have been inventing methods for replacing teeth for hundreds of years – tracing back to ancient civilizations. Today’s modern science has created a wonderful solution for missing teeth that has a huge success rate – dental implants. So, what are they exactly?
Dental implants are devices consisting of small posts often made of titanium used to replace a tooth. These posts are replacements for natural tooth roots and will connect to an abutment, which is built on top of the implant post. The abutment allows the artificial tooth to be connected to the implant post. Three parts come together to create one naturally-looking, strong tooth.
Getting a dental implant requires a surgical procedure. Your dentist will use a local anesthetic to make sure you’re pain free, and then the titanium implant will be placed into the jaw bone. Before the surgical procedure takes place, you will meet with your dentist to come up with a personalized treatment plan that fits your needs.
Learn More: What to Know About Dental Implants
Replace a Tooth: Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants are so popular because of their many benefits and success rate. Dental implants replace a tooth by:
- Give you back your chewing ability and normal bite
- Are cleaned just like your natural teeth, so they’re low maintenance
- Prevents bone loss in the jaw
- Are stable and permanent
- Prevent your other teeth from becoming misaligned
- Restores your quality of life
- Look like your natural teeth
- Boost confidence
- Benefits your oral health and overall health
Learn more about Dental Implants HERE.
Learn more about why this popular treatment to replace a tooth is so successful through some of our blogs:
- Restorative Dentistry: Dentures, Bridges, and Implants! OH MY!
- Smile Spotlight: Erin | Restore Missing Tooth with Dental Implant and Crown
Are You a Good Dental Implant Candidate?
If dental implants sound like a good option for you, it’s helpful to know if you may be considered a candidate for them. You and your dentist will discuss this in more detail, but here are some of the basics:
- Healthy enough for surgery
- Good oral health hygiene habits
- Right amount of bone mass for the implants
- Teeth and gums are in good standing health
- Patience for the process, it can take some time to be fully completed
- Willing to invest the time for dental implants – which can take multiple appointments
- A non-smoker or willing to stop smoking
These are common signs that your dentist will look for when considering if you’re a good dental implant candidate. Sometimes, your dentist may also look at why the teeth are missing.
Customized Restorative Dentistry that is Best for YOU
If you are interested in tooth replacement, it’s a good idea to discuss it carefully with Dr. Skrobanek first. If you are in good general health, one of these tooth replacement options, dentures, bridges, or dental implants, should be a good fit for you. In fact, your health is more of a factor than your age. Chronic illnesses, such as diabetes or leukemia, may interfere with healing and patients with these issues may not be good candidates for certain replacement options. Remember, using tobacco can also slow healing, regardless of which type of treatment you decide on.
Schedule a consultation with an implant expert at GPS Dental to see if you are a dental implant candidate for our implant technology. It might be the perfect remedy to preserve a youthful appearance and restore the function of your bite.
Believe it or not, your health is more of a factor than your age. Remember, using tobacco can also slow healing, regardless of which type of treatment you decide on. Chronic illnesses, such as diabetes or leukemia, may interfere with healing and patients with these issues may not be good candidates for this type of tooth replacement option.
Related Article: Restore Your Smile with Tooth Replacement Options at GPS Dental
By scheduling a consultation with Dr. Skrobanek you’ll learn if you’re a dental implant candidate. If not, he can help suggest a tooth replacement option that is a better fit for you; dentures bridges and implants may be a better remedy to restore the function of your bite and your smile’s appearance.
Dr. Gary P. Skrobanek’s experienced and friendly team at GPS Dental offers affordable dental care for all ages in San Antonio, TX area. Our Brooks City Base dentist office is conveniently located and offers early morning appointment times Monday through Friday to meet your needs. At GPS Dental, we promote dental health awareness to our patients and provide most dental services, from family and general dentistry to dental implants, sleep apnea, TMJ / TMD Treatment, cosmetic dentistry and much more. We accept most dental insurance plans and offer affordable financial solutions for any budget. Call us at 210-633-3477 to make an appointment.
SMILE: Dental Implant Tooth Replacement Can Restore Your Missing Tooth
Do You have a Missing Tooth? We can Restore Your Smile!
If you’ve been struggling to smile with confidence, this is your opportunity to renew your smile with dental implant tooth replacement for the new year! While revitalizing your smile can often make you think about teeth whitening, dental implants are increasing in popularity for enhancing smiles and improving oral health. If you’ve suffered from tooth loss, you may think the smile of your dreams is out of reach, the benefits of dental implants are many as they are often considered the best solution for helping you get your smile back.
Tooth Loss is Common
There’s no reason to be ashamed of missing teeth. Tooth loss is actually quite common in all ages of people. In fact, according to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, Nearly 70% of adults aged 35 to 44 years have at least one missing tooth, and 1 in 4 people over the age of 74 are missing all of their teeth. Although early technology (if that’s what you want to call it) used materials such as ivory, human bone, and metal to replace missing teeth, today’s technology has greatly advanced in tooth replacement options.
What is a Dental Implant?
Dental implants act like artificial roots that can be permanently placed in the patient’s jaw bone. As the gum tissue and bone grow around the dental implant, they become a permanent anchor. A natural-looking porcelain crown will be made giving our patients a beautifully-finished result that is attractive, yet helps to improve chewing, maintain bone and prevent teeth from changing positions. Dental implants can even prevent future problems with a patient’s bite, as they offer a permanent replacement for missing teeth and an effective solution that will look and feel as natural as your original teeth.
Related Articles:
- Tooth Replacement: Are You a Dental Implant Candidate?
- Restore Your Smile with Tooth Replacement Options
- Dental Implant Guide
Dental Implant Tooth Replacement Benefits
We love discussing the many perks and dental implant benefits! They not only look and feel like natural teeth, but they also provide a safe and sturdy tooth replacement that will last for many years to come. You can eat without worry, and can easily keep them clean just like you would your natural teeth.
Benefits to consider:
- Look like your natural teeth
- Dental implants can last 20 years or more
- Easy to keep clean, less work than dentures
- Dental implants fully restore a smile
- Replace a single missing tooth or multiple missing teeth
- Restore full function of the mouth
- Boost confidence
- Benefits your oral health and overall health
- More secure than dentures
- Comfortable bite
- Permanent tooth replacement
More from the exerts about dental implant tooth replacement:
- What does WebMD have to say about the Advantages of Dental Implants? Learn more HERE.
- Learn more about dental implants from The American Dental Association HERE.
The Importance of Replacing Missing Teeth
It can be easy to get used to missing teeth over time, but the reasons to replace them are many:
- Gaps in-between teeth are harmful for surrounding teeth
- A full smile gives you great confidence
- If you don’t fill gaps, tooth decay and plaque are more likely to develop
- Bone loss occurs
- Aesthetic issues such as a sunken and aged appearance
- Lose full function of the mouth
The Process of Restoring Missing Teeth with Dental Implants
Figuring out how dental implants work can be confusing, so we’re breaking down the dental implant tooth replacement process. It’s really pretty simple. Some patients can have the implants and replacement teeth placed all in one visit. While other patients might need to wait until the implant is completely integrated, up to several months, before replacement teeth can be attached to the implant. Replacing teeth with dental implants can be a lengthy process – sometimes taking a few months to fully complete, but the reward of a beautiful, long-lasting smile is worth it.
- First X-rays and impressions of your teeth will be made.
- Next, the implant will be placed. This is a surgical procedure where an anesthetic is given to eliminate pain. We will make a small incision in the gums to insert the implant into the jaw bone. This gives a sturdy post for the tooth to stay on and the jawbone around the implant will be given time to heal. What makes an implant so strong is that the bone actually grows around it and holds it in place.
- Once the implant is placed, the healing process begins so your implant can fully fuse to the jawbone.
- After the healing process from the implants, an abutment is placed on the implant to prepare it for the false tooth. The abutment will support the new false tooth.
- Now, after that appointment, your false tooth can be placed (a custom dental crown) and your process is complete.
Note: There is a healing process that usually takes some time. However, during your healing process, your dentist may give you a temporary crown, bridge or denture to help you eat and speak normally until your permanent replacement is ready.
More surgery info from The Mayo Clinic.
What is a Dental Crown and How is it Used?
It’s easier than you think to turn a broken, cracked, or decaying tooth into a healthy, clean-looking tooth. A dental crown is a type of dental restoration that completely caps or encircles a tooth or dental implant. It also corrects your tooth and strengthens it by fitting tightly over your existing tooth. Once it’s set, it’s just like having a natural tooth.
- the final step after receiving a dental implant or root canal treatment
- to improve the strength or appearance of teeth
- for a tooth that is severely broken down, has cracks, or has had a root canal to reinforce the tooth
- needed when a large cavity threatens the ongoing health of a tooth
Remember, your dental crown tooth replacement is not complete until your dental crown is placed!
Dental crowns will allow your tooth to function normally again without worrying about the tooth cracking. Learn More HERE.
Let’s Recap … Why are Dental Implants So Popular?
Aesthetically, they look just like a healthy tooth; but they also keep the jaw bone stable. If you leave a missing tooth and don’t replace it, over time the jaw bone will disappear. Of course, this can lead to functional problems. Not to mention an aesthetic problem with your face. Because the jaw bone is what supports your cheeks, so the loss of it can lead to small changes, such as deepening expression lines in the face, or ultimately having the look of a collapsed jaw, all causing you to take on a more aged appearance!
Dental implants allow you to be able to chew your food without issue, including fresh fruits, vegetables, and nuts. They are easier to care for too; dental implants can be cared for the same way as natural teeth, with a toothbrush and floss.
We’ve talked about a lot, but we haven’t mentioned the greatest, most life changing reason for tooth replacement with dental implants… Implants are a permanent solution!
How wonderful! Ask any patient that had conventional dentures and decided to have dental implants placed for better support and they will tell you it was the best decision they’ve ever made!!
It’s Time for a Conversation
If you’re ready to take the next step in your smile journey, and have the time to give to dental implants, we’d love to talk with you more about starting the dental implant tooth replacement process. We will create a customized dental plan that works with your schedule to achieve the smile of your dreams with dental implants. We can help restore not only the beauty of your smile, but also the form and function of your teeth. Please schedule a consultation with Dr. Skrobanek at GPS Dental in San Antonio, we look forward to talking with you and creating a treatment plan customized especially for you.
Dr. Gary P. Skrobanek’s experienced and friendly team at GPS Dental offers affordable dental care for all ages in San Antonio, TX area. Our Brooks City Base dentist office is conveniently located and offers early morning appointment times Monday through Friday to meet your needs. At GPS Dental, we promote dental health awareness to our patients and provide most dental services, from family and general dentistry to dental implants, sleep apnea, TMJ / TMD Treatment, cosmetic dentistry and much more. We accept most dental insurance plans and offer affordable financial solutions for any budget. Call us at 210-633-3477 to make an appointment.
Tooth Replacement: Are You a Dental Implant Candidate?
Are you a candidate for Dental Implants?
It’s exciting to know that dental implants are an incredibly popular and effective way to replace a missing tooth. If you’re missing a tooth, know that you’re certainly not alone. Did you know, it is estimated that over 125 million Americans are missing at least one tooth?
Dental implants can resolve your missing tooth issue and fill any gaps from a missing tooth or multiple teeth – restoring the look, feel, and health of your smile. However, dental implants may not be the perfect solution for everyone, so how do you know if it’s the perfect solution for you? Let’s continue to see if you’re a dental implant candidate, shall we?
Learn more from WebMD about Dental Implants
What Are Dental Implants and Their Advantages?
Made from titanium, dental implants are essentially replacement tooth roots. They are placed in the jaw to support replacement tooth – often dental crowns, dentures, or bridges. Implants are also the only option that can prevent bone loss because those titanium roots act like natural tooth roots and promote new bone growth.
Related Article: Dental Implant Guide
They also,
- Restore facial structure and youthful smile
- Prevent teeth from shifting toward any gaps, which can alter your bite or facial structure
- Feel and function just like your natural teeth
- Provide no eating restrictions
The Dental Implant Procedure is one of the most predictable and safest procedures in dentistry. They’re very durable and can last a lifetime, if they are taken care of correctly. Gone are the days of looking older than necessary because of a sagging jawline due to one or more missing teeth. Fortunately, dentures are no longer the only option! And the cost for dental implants may be far less than you expect.
Learn more from The Mayo Clinic about Dental Implant Surgery
Are You a Good Dental Implant Candidate?
Here are five quick signs of a good dental implant candidate:
- Teeth and gums are in good standing health
- Good oral health hygiene habits
- Patience for the process, it can take some time to be fully completed
- Good bone density
- A non-smoker or willing to stop smoking
These are common signs that your dentist will look for when considering if you’re a good dental implant candidate. Sometimes, your dentist may also look at why the teeth are missing.
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Skrobanek, our implant expert at GPS Dental in San Antonio to see if you are a candidate for implant technology. It might be the perfect remedy to preserve a youthful appearance and restore the function of your bite.
Customized Restorative Dentistry that is Best for YOU
If you are interested in tooth replacement, it’s a good idea to discuss it carefully with Dr. Skrobanek first. If you are in good general health and meet other criteria, you may be a good dental implant candidate. Scheduling a consultation at GPS Dental is your first step to see if dental implants would be a good fit for you.
Believe it or not, your health is more of a factor than your age. Remember, using tobacco can also slow healing, regardless of which type of treatment you decide on. Chronic illnesses, such as diabetes or leukemia, may interfere with healing and patients with these issues may not be good candidates for this type of tooth replacement option.
Related Article: Restore Your Smile with Tooth Replacement Options at GPS Dental
By scheduling a consultation with Dr. Skrobanek you’ll learn if you’re a dental implant candidate. If not, he can help suggest a tooth replacement option that is a better fit for you; dentures bridges and implants may be a better remedy to restore the function of your bite and your smile’s appearance.
Dr. Gary P. Skrobanek’s experienced and friendly team at GPS Dental offers affordable dental care for all ages in San Antonio, TX area. Our Brooks City Base dentist office is conveniently located and offers early morning appointment times Monday through Friday to meet your needs. At GPS Dental, we promote dental health awareness to our patients and provide most dental services, from family and general dentistry to dental implants, sleep apnea, TMJ / TMD Treatment, cosmetic dentistry and much more. We accept most dental insurance plans and offer affordable financial solutions for any budget. Call us at 210-633-3477 to make an appointment
Restore Your Smile with Tooth Replacement Options at GPS Dental
At GPS Dental, we want to make sure our patients always have strong and healthy smiles. It’s so important to our daily lives that we can smile, eat, and talk with confidence.
If you’re missing teeth, those daily tasks can become a challenge; however, we can help you restore your smile. While keeping your natural teeth is always the number one option, sometimes replacement options are needed to restore and maintain a healthy smile. We can help you decide which of our tooth replacement options, implants, dentures, or implant-supported dentures, is best for you and your smile goals.
Related Articles:
- Restore Your Missing Tooth: Dental Implant, Bridge, Or Dentures
- Tooth Replacement: Choosing Between Dental Implants and Dentures
Restore Your Smile with Dental Implants
Dental implants can fix multiple teeth, a single tooth, or a full set of teeth – so the options are plenty, making dental implants a popular option for replacement. Implants require three major steps to consider and can take a series of visits to our office to fully complete the process:
- Surgical implant placement
- Healing from the surgical placement of the implant(s)/temporary teeth placement
- Replacement of any missing teeth with crowns
While the process may sound extensive, the benefits of dental implants are many.
Benefits of Dental Implants:
- Look and act like natural teeth
- Durable, long-lasting
- Feel strong and stable
- Help preserve bone tissue and bone
- Allow you to brush and floss normally
Learn More about Dental Implants HERE.
Restore Your Smile with Dentures
There are two major types of dentures:
- partial dentures
- complete removable dentures
The keyword being “removable“.
Unlike dental implants and implant-supported dentures, traditional partial or complete dentures are removable, not permanently implanted into your mouth. Dentures can be a quick, non-invasive, and more affordable fix to missing teeth.
If you’re experiencing tooth loss from gum disease, injury, or tooth decay, dentures can help your appearance and smile and also restore your ability to speak and eat.
Learn More about Dentures HERE.
Restore Your Smile with Implant-Supported Dentures
While implant-supported dentures are similar to traditional dentures, the difference lies in the use of implants for retention instead of adhesive. The implant can reduce the bulkiness of traditional dentures and give more space for the tongue.
This means that the ability to taste food with dentures will be greatly enhanced. They’re also sturdier and there’s no need for any adhesive at any time because the dentures are so well supported by the implants. This helps preserve bone, tissue, and muscle tone in the face as well to maintain a more youthful appearance.
Learn More about Implant Supported Dentures HERE.
GPS Dental Can Restore Your Smile and Your Confidence
If you’re not sure which tooth replacement option is best to restore your smile: dental implants, dentures, or implant-supported dentures, schedule your Smile Consultation appointment with Dr. Skrobanek and his expert team in San Antonio, Texas. There is not a one size fits all treatment plan when it comes to tooth replacement, after a thorough exam and a discussion about your smile goals, we will create a customized treatment plan for your individual needs to restore your smile and your confidence.
Dr. Gary P. Skrobanek’s experienced and friendly team at GPS Dental offers family dentistry for all ages in San Antonio, TX area. Our Brooks City Base dentist office is conveniently located and offers early morning appointment times Monday through Friday to meet your needs. At GPS Dental, we promote dental health awareness to our patients and provide most dental services, from family and general dentistry to dental implants, sleep apnea, TMJ / TMD Treatment, cosmetic dentistry and much more. We accept most dental insurance plans and offer affordable financial solutions for any budget. Call us at 210-633-3477 to make an appointment.
Dental Implant Guide: Tooth Replacement Option of 2022
Your Dental Implant Guide in 2022
Humans have been creating new methods for replacing missing teeth since ancient civilizations. We’ve come a long way from swapping missing teeth with bits of bones and shells. In today’s age, dental implants are an extremely reliable and advanced method for replacing missing teeth. If you’ve considered restoring your full smile with dental implants, then this is the year to move forward! With such a high success rate, dental implants are becoming the first and most popular choice among patients and dentists alike. Let’s talk about why that is.
What are Dental Implants?
To break it down in our dental implant guide, dental implants are devices consisting of small posts made of titanium. These posts are substitutes for tooth roots and will connect to an abutment, which is built on top of the implant post. The abutment allows the artificial tooth to be connected to the implant post. So, three parts come together to create on naturally-looking, strong tooth.
Learn more about Dental Implants from The ADA HERE.
Advantages of Dental Implants
There is a lot to learn about dental implants – the process, how they’re maintained, advantages, healing time, etc. It’s important to make an informed decision if you’re considering dental implants in the near future. Here are some of the many advantages to take note of:
- Dental implants fully restore a smile, replace any missing teeth
- Dental implants can last 20 years or more
- Supports facial structure
- Look like your natural teeth
- Easy to keep clean, less work than dentures
- Not prone to cavities
- Boost confidence
- Benefits your oral health and overall health
- More secure than dentures
- Comfortable bite
- Restore full function of the mouth
Candidates for Dental Implants
Now that you’ve learned about the many advantages dental implants can provide in our dental implant guide, you may be wondering if anyone can get them. For many patients, dental implants are the best option for smile reconstruction. To be considered a good candidate, you’ll need to have good overall health and a reasonably healthy mouth. You will need to have a jawbone that is strong enough to support the implants, and gums should be free of gum disease.
Keep reading to learn about the types of implants and associated risks. We also describe what to expect from dental implant surgery and how much the procedure may cost. What else to know.
The Process
First X-rays and impressions of your teeth will be made. Next, the implant will be placed. This is a surgical procedure where an anesthetic is given to eliminate pain. We will make a small incision in the gums to insert the implant into the jaw bone. This gives a sturdy post for the tooth to stay on. Once the implant is placed, the healing process begins so your implant can fully fuse to the jawbone.
After the healing process from the implants, an abutment (also known as a dental crown) is placed on the implant to prepare it for the false tooth. The abutment will support the new false tooth. Now, after that appointment, your false tooth can be placed (a custom crown) and your process is complete.
Learn more in this Dental Implant Guide
Related Articles:
We’ve written a lot of articles on our blog about Dental Implants … here are just a few for you to check out:
- Tooth Replacement Option: Dental Implants Can Restore Your Smile
- Dental Implant: 5 Facts about this Tooth Replacement Option
- Restore Your Missing Tooth: Dental Implant, Bridge, Or Dentures
- Tooth Replacement: Choosing Between Dental Implants and Dentures
- Missing Tooth: Are You a Candidate for Dental Implants?
- FAQ: Dental Implants as a Tooth Replacement Option
- Tooth Replacement Options at GPS Dental: Dentures and Dental Implants
GPS Dental Can Restore Your Smile and Your Confidence
After reading our dental implant guide, if you’re not sure which option, dental implant bridge or dentures to restore your missing tooth or missing teeth will be, schedule your Smile Consultation appointment with Dr. Skrobanek and his expert team in San Antonio, Texas. We treat each of our patients individually. We offer options for dental implants, bridge, or dentures … after a thorough exam and a discussion about your smile goals, we will create a customized treatment plan for your individual needs to restore your smile and your confidence.
Dr. Gary P. Skrobanek’s experienced and friendly team at GPS Dental offers family dentistry for all ages in San Antonio, TX area. Our Brooks City Base dentist office is conveniently located and offers early morning appointment times Monday through Friday to meet your needs. At GPS Dental, we promote dental health awareness to our patients and provide most dental services, from family and general dentistry to dental implants, sleep apnea, TMJ / TMD Treatment, cosmetic dentistry and much more. We accept most dental insurance plans and offer affordable financial solutions for any budget. Call us at 210-633-3477 to make an appointment.
