Eat, Smile, & Be Happy With Dental Implants

Dentists are big fans of dental implants.

Why? Because we know they can make a huge difference in the quality of our patients’ lives.

Patients who have dental implants know that their dental crowns, bridges, and dentures and safe and secure in their mouths. They can feel confident that their “teeth” will stay in place, and they can feel comfortable when they sit down for a meal with family, friends, coworkers, and clients.

When someone comes to Total Dental Care of South Carolina, we will examine the health of his or her jaw and help each patient decide which kind of dental implants are best for him or her.

If you are interested in learning more about dental implants, visit our dentist office in Columbia, SC.

A ‘Hall Of Fame’ Invention

You already know that dentists are proud to be able to offer dental implants, but we aren’t alone.

Per-Ingvar Brånemark, who is credited with creating modern dental implants, was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame earlier this month.  Brånemark also is credited with coining the term “osseointegration,” which described the process by which bone bonds directly to something — like titanium dental implants.

Dr. Brånemark inserted a titanium cylinder into the leg of a rabbit as part of a study on blood circulation. Instead, he discovered that the bone had reformed around the cylinder, which prevented him from removing it.

He used that knowledge to create dental implants, which he first placed in a patient in 1965. Dr. Brånemark and others have made further improvements to his original implants. Today, they are the most effective teeth replacements in human history.

Putting Knowledge Into Practice

Dr. Brånemark wasn’t trying to create implants when he was studying rabbits, but he recognized the value of his discovery. By applying what he learned, anyone who loses a tooth or teeth can benefit, too.

Tooth loss is not the ideal situation for anyone but it happens, and it happens more frequently than dentists would like.

With that in mind, let’s consider how dentists use dental implants. By themselves, implants have limited value. When they are paired with other teeth replacements, you get something better than the sum of its parts.

◆ Replacing Individual Teeth

If you lost a single tooth before dental implants, your best option was a dental bridge. This would fill in the gap created by your missing tooth. In the process, you would remove parts of two other teeth to hold the bridge in place.

With dental implants, that is no longer required. Today, we can place a dental implant in your jaw. Then, we can place a dental crown on the implant. This way you get a tooth replacement that looks and functions like a real tooth, and none of your healthy teeth have to be altered in the process.

◆ Replacing Multiple Teeth

Someone who lost multiple teeth may have a couple options for tooth replacement. Once again, a dental bridge could be used. Another option would be a removable partial denture.

An implant-supported bridge, however, is more secure because it’s held in place by dental implants, which are themselves held in place by your jawbone.

◆ Replacing All Your Teeth

For people missing a row of teeth or even all their teeth, dentures have become a common substitute. Dentures that rest over the gums are prone to coming loose.

Coughing, sneezing, laughing, speaking, and eating can cause dentures to slip out of position. Sometimes they even fall out of your mouth completely.

Implant-supported dentures provide stability, security, and strength. By placing a series of implants in your jaw, your dentures will have a more solid foundation. You won’t need to use (or taste) denture adhesives. Instead, you will have the bite force you need to eat any food that you want to eat.

Getting Implants

The dental implant procedure has become more common, and our dentist has the experience and know-how to place your implants.

Depending on the amount of bone mass, he may recommend full implants or mini implants. In either case, you will get similar benefits.

After your implants are surgically placed in your jaw, your mouth will need time to heal. Then, we will be able to place your dental crown, bridge, or dentures to complete your smile once again.

Find Out For Yourself

We’ve tried to share what we know about your dental implants, but the best way to learn is to see the results for yourself. Visit out our office if you would like to know if dental implants would be a good option for you.

Call 803-272-4162 or fill out our online form to schedule your consultation at Total Dental Care of South Carolina. You can find us in Columbia.

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