tooth replacement
Not many years ago, losing a tooth left you with few options for replacement. While permanent teeth should provide a lifetime of function, it doesn’t always end up that way. They may be lost from an accident, decay, or gum disease. Since teeth start as a full set, even one missing tooth may affect the whole makeup of your mouth’s delicate balance. As teeth slowly lean and migrate, wear and cracking from excessive forces often create escalating problems.
When it’s time to replace missing teeth, whether it’s one or a full set, several options might be available to you. Dental implants often give you the best opportunity to enjoy normal chewing and a full smile, although other options deserve consideration.
We know it’s not always easy for you to sort through the complicated possibilities. Dr. Okafor’s background in restorative dentistry allows his to develop solutions for every situation.
Replacing missing teeth with implants brings your mouth back to full function and well-being. Stunning porcelains replicate natural teeth perfectly, whether it’s one tooth or many. Single crowns or complex bridges can be supported by implants, with solutions for every situation.
A long-lasting choice, implant-supported dentistry brings you as close to growing new teeth as possible. Expertly placed in the same bone that once supported teeth, you’ll enjoy the strength and function of a natural tooth. Modern porcelains produce a result so life-like, you may forget they aren’t your natural teeth. Dentures can also be attached to implants when more than one missing tooth needs to be replaced. The stability and sense of confidence you develop with implants will leave you smiling.
Dr. Okafor uses the latest technology to collect all the data necessary to help plan your restorative case. Digital x-rays, 3D mapping, models, and photographs prove valuable. Dr. Okafor uses highly regarded specialists to bring all components of your case together. But at all times, he serves as the quarterback of the entire plan.
Implants (Surgical)
Many patients find the procedure of implant placement easier than they anticipated. Modern dental anesthetic numbs the site, and experienced hands carefully place the implant. A tiny guide hole provides a path for threading a small implant cylinder into place. The sterile piece is inserted into an exact location, and a smooth cover, or healing cap, protects the implant during the healing period.
In some cases, a temporary or permanent crown may be inserted at the time of surgery.
Implants can’t withstand normal bite forces until the bone has integrated fully into the implant body. Dr. Okafor will help you decide what will work best during the initial healing period, ensuring you’re able to function while still protecting your implants. This period usually lasts 3-6 months as the bone grows around the implant. Most patients experience minimal discomfort after placement, especially compared to an extraction.
Implants (Restorative)
A well thought out treatment plan that includes implants creates the opportunity for different restoration options.
After the healing period, crowns or bridges are custom-made and attached to the implants with small screws or dental cement.
One of Healthcare’s Greatest Values
Even with all the benefits, the cost of dental implants are an important consideration. When your case brings together the latest imaging, advanced training, and modern materials, this service offers one of the best values in health care. Compared to the replacement of other parts the body, most dental implant procedures can be done at a small fraction of those costs. Most patients carry on with normal activities right away and usually enjoy a lifetime of normal chewing, bite stability, and appearance. We know the cost of dental implants is an important part of creating a complete plan that works for you.
The cost of dental implant services involves several critical factors unique to each patient. A fee quoted without careful evaluation and treatment planning may not only be incomplete, but doesn’t consider what’s best for your mouth as an individual. Dr. Okafor customizes your treatment plan after careful evaluation your current oral conditions, needs, wants, and budget.
One thing is certain: You’ll get the highest value possible in modern implant dentistry. That means years of natural function and a smile you are proud to show. We look forward to discussing how we can partner together for the best solution for you!
Dental bridges have traditionally been a top choice for replacing missing teeth. With the widespread use of dental implants, more options are now available to bridge gaps in your smile. Resilient, natural-looking porcelains, engineered into a bridge, can eliminate spaces of every size.
Whenever you drive across a bridge, you’re being supported by the same principles that support a dental bridge. Crowned teeth on either side of a space are called abutments. They support an artificial tooth, called a pontic. While a bridge lasts for many years, sometimes the strain of supporting one or more missing teeth can cause the abutments themselves to weaken and may lead to more missing teeth.
A Better Bridge
In many cases, dental implants offer a better alternative, eliminating most of the load-bearing strain you see in traditional bridge abutments. When carefully placed in the bone, an implant mimics the root of a tooth. They bear the load that the natural teeth used to hold, sparing the neighboring teeth from excessive forces. In some cases, two implants may be used to build a bridge.
Dr. Okafor knows how to bring the puzzle pieces together to fit any scenario regardless of the scope of your treatment.
Sometimes a removable appliance is the best way to replace missing teeth. Dr. Okafor can help you decide whether a partial denture or a complete denture would restore your mouth to its optimal function and appearance. Sometimes a combination of dental implants and dentures are used for unprecedented stability and confidence.
Dentures are an affordable way to replace any number of missing teeth in your mouth. They have a long history of success and continue to earn a place in the list of options for rebuilding your smile.
Dentures are removable substitutes for missing teeth. Full dentures are used when a person is missing all their natural teeth, while partial dentures replace only a few missing teeth here or there to eliminate gaps and improve chewing. Denture treatment is customized specifically to each patient, and Dr. Okafor can help you decide which option works best for you.
Full Dentures (conventional and implant-supported)
Sometimes tooth decay or gum disease can become unmanageable. This may lead to the decision to remove your remaining teeth on one or both arches. Full dentures are an economical and efficient way to restore your function and smile.
A complete denture consists of a thin gum-colored acrylic base that rests on the gum tissue. Porcelain or acrylic replacement teeth built into the base give the appearance of natural teeth. We know that your smile is unique, and Dr. Okafor has the experience to help you select the teeth that will look the most natural. This also gives you the chance to customize the way you look; whether you want a “new” smile or want to recreate the one you had.
While dentures boast a long history of successful use, modern technology offers some options to enhance the way dentures fit and the way you look. In many cases, dentures can be secured more firmly to your jaw with the use of dental implants placed in the jaw. In addition to having greater retention and a more natural look, implant-supported dentures tend to last longer. Dr. Okafor can discuss these options and help you understand the ways they can improve your experience with dentures.
Partial Dentures
Whether you’ve lost one tooth or many, chewing and smiling can become more difficult because of the gaps in your smile. Partial dentures are an economical solution to replace missing teeth, fill in the spaces, improve chewing ability, and restore your confidence to smile. A partial denture will also help keep your natural teeth from shifting, lowering the risk of losing those teeth in the future.
Most partial dentures contain a thin metal framework that is designed with small metal clasps that wrap around the gum line of existing teeth. This allows for a smooth, non-bulky feel. The framework is supported by your natural teeth to provide a reliable, secure appliance that is easy to use and remove. Where teeth are missing, natural-looking replacement teeth are attached, and gum-colored acrylic is used to cover the metal framework. Remember your mouth and your needs are unique, and Dr. Okafor works with skilled technicians to create a solution that is functional, comfortable, and aesthetically pleasing.
With advances in technology, implants can also be used to support removable partial dentures, improving the fit while reducing the bulkiness of the appliance. Dentures inherently bring some challenges, especially to new wearers. Our goal is to minimize the everyday frustrations and keep you as comfortable as possible.
We look forward to discussing your options to make your mouth full again and to give you back a confident, glowing smile!
All-on-4® is a cost-efficient, minimally invasive method to restore the function of your mouth and give you back the confidence that comes with a beautiful smile. The best part? You will leave the office with a temporarily fixed, full-arch denture the day of treatment!
Considering dentures to replace missing teeth?
The All-on-4® technique might be right for you! This technique uses four, strategically placed dental implants that allow a full-arch denture to be securely and permanently placed over them. You’ll be able to speak clearly and taste your favorite foods! They won’t slip or lift when you’re speaking, and they won’t get misplaced.
The Benefits
All-on-4® is a cost-efficient, minimally invasive method to restore the function of your mouth and give you back the confidence that comes with a beautiful smile. The best part? You will leave the office with a temporarily fixed, full-arch denture the day of treatment!
Because the procedure uses computer-guided technology, Dr. Okafor can see where the highest levels of bone are without the need for bone grafting, which adds expense and recovery time to the implant procedure. By skipping this invasive treatment, you will heal faster and with less complication.
Not only does the All-on-4® technique restore the beauty of your smile it helps prevent further bone loss. The implants act as a scaffold that supports the existing bone giving it something to hold on to.
The Procedure
Using computer-guided surgery, Dr. Okafor determines the four best locations for implants and inserts them into the bone. An implant is a small titanium screw that fits inside your jawbone and acts like a root of a tooth.
A temporary denture is usually inserted so you can smile while the natural bone heals and grows around your implants, just like it would around a natural tooth.
This process usually takes a few months, and then you will be fitted for a full-arch denture that is permanently secured to the implants.
Maintenance
Once your new denture is inserted, you will be able to eat and drink your favorite foods and speak as clearly as you would with natural teeth. Maintaining your smile is as simple as brushing twice a day and keeping a regular professional maintenance schedule with your favorite dental team.
This is crucial because at each visit, they will inspect all the pieces of your All-on-4® implant system and regularly evaluate your bone levels to make sure you smile is in tip-top shape.
Watch this video on tooth replacment.
