Dental Implants: Replace Missing
Teeth from Top to Bottom

*According to the Institute for Dental Implant Awareness

We restore dental implants at our office serving patients throughout Valdosta. These titanium prosthetic tooth roots provide the absolute best means of support for crowns and dentures, allowing patients to eat and speak with absolute confidence. If you are missing teeth, contact us today to learn how dental implants can help you experience the vast benefits of a complete and functional smile once again.

The Results of Tooth Loss

When a tooth is lost, the body will naturally begin to resorb and redistribute bone cells that once surrounded the tooth roots, causing the jaw bone to shrink and weaken. Merely placing a bridge or denture in the resulting gap cannot stop the atrophy of the jaw. However, dental implants can, making them a truly long-term solution and a wise investment in your oral health.

What are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are titanium posts that are surgically inserted into a patient’s jawbone to support an appropriate dental prosthetic. We have close relationships with several experienced oral surgeons in the area who can expertly place any number of dental implants, as well as perform any procedures necessary prior to dental implant placement. For instance, if a patient's upper or lower jaw is too weak to support the necessary amount of implants, a bone graft may be necessary to reinforce the bone structure first. The oral surgeon can perform a ridge augmentation (for the lower jaw) or sinus lift (for the upper jaw) to add a supportive layer of bone, providing an adequate foundation. After the implant is placed, the jaw must heal over the next three to six months. During this time, the bone and the implant become permanently fused. During a follow-up surgery, special abutments are placed on top of the implants, and the gums are stitched closed around the abutment, leaving it exposed above the gum line. This serves as the point of contact with the patient's crown or dentures.

Implant-supported Dentures

If you or someone you know wears dentures, then you may be familiar with the phenomenon of denture slippage. Dentures that once fit snugly and comfortably on the patient’s dental ridges begin to lose their grip and slip when the patient bites, chews, and speaks, even with the support of dental adhesive. Securing dentures on a series of dental implants helps vastly  improve their stability and prevent denture slippage by providing a much more solid foundation. In many cases, we may recommend All-On-4 implant dentures that can be placed in significantly less time, and we offer both fixed and removable implant-supported dentures depending on the patient’s specific needs and preferences. 

The Closest Imitation of Natural Teeth

Losing teeth can devastate a patient’s oral health. Teeth owe much of their fortitude to the support offered by their roots. With dental implants, your replacement teeth can enjoy similar stability for long-term comfort and the preservation of your oral health. To find out if dental implants are right for you, schedule a consultation with us.

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