Innovative Dental Implants by San Antonio Oral Surgery
Since their first successful procedure in the early 1950s, titanium dental implants are vastly considered to be among dentistry’s greatest modern advances and the ideal tooth replacement systems available. This likely due to their ability to completely restore the entire structure of a missing tooth, from root to crown.
If you’re experiencing the many adverse complications associated with tooth loss, contact our oral surgeon to get your oral and overall wellness back on track today!
With over 30 years of experience in serving the oral health needs of patients throughout San Antonio, Dr. Wert and his team look forward to helping you achieve a long-lasting, functional smile.
CALL US: (210) 656-3301 REQUEST APPOINTMENT
What Makes Dental Implants So Successful?
Dental implants are unlike any other tooth replacement option available. A crucial part of their successful nature is that their titanium structure can naturally fuse with living tissue and bone. It is this process, called osseointegration that enables implant posts to provide a reliable, secure, and long-lasting basis for essential jawbone health and successful attachment of your chosen implant-supported restoration.
Because of this, dental implants are often an ideal choice for resolving the many complications associated with tooth loss.
What are Dental Implants Exactly?
Dental implants are titanium posts which, when surgically placed in the jawbone, serve as artificial tooth roots. They are the only available tooth replacement option that completely replaces a tooth’s structure, from its root to its crown.
Dental implants can last a lifetime when properly cared for, eliminating the need for temporary substitutions or loose dental appliances.
Discover the Many Benefits of Dental Implants
From promoting proper digestion to restoring your complete ability to chew and speak, replacing missing teeth is as much about your overall health as it is about your smile aesthetics. The comprehensive advantages that implants extend far beyond providing you with a renewed, beautiful smile.
Essential benefits to receiving dental implants include:
- Improved comfort while speaking and smiling
- Enhanced ability to chew properly
- Eliminated and reduced digestion complications
- Keeping neighboring teeth from shifting out of place
- Preserved jawbone volume
- Bone protected against deterioration
- Restored oral health contributing towards overall well-being
How Many Implants Do I Need?
Typically, one dental implant is placed for each missing tooth. Because many of your jaw's larger teeth have two or three roots, replacing missing back teeth with larger implants is the most common approach. However, the number of posts you will end up needing depends on the unique factors of your smile, which teeth are missing, and how many need replacing. During your consultation Dr. Wert will evaluate the best treatment options for you.
Who is an Ideal Candidate for Dental Implants?
Ideal candidates for dental implants should be in good overall and oral health. Suitable bone in your jaw is needed to support the implant, and the best candidates have healthy gum tissues that are free of infection and disease.
Since our oral surgeon is a dental implant expert, not only does he have the experience, he also has the specialized knowledge, training, and technology needed to make your dreams come true with dental implants.
Increasing Your Chances of Successful Treatment with Bone Grafting
Successful placement of implants requires adequate bone density. Dr. Wert offers treatments such as bone grafting to help improve the volume of your jawbone. Stronger bone density increases the ability of your implant posts to fuse bone and tissue properly.
If your tooth was removed many years ago and your bony ridge is extremely thin, there may be inadequate bone for implant placement. In this case, it is possible to place a bone graft next to the thin bone and allowed to heal for up to six months.
After the graft has fused to your pre-existing bone, the ridge will be re-entered, and the implant placed. Bone grafting is a relatively comfortable office procedure. Many different bone-grafting materials are available, including your own bone.
Caring for Your Newly-Restored Smile
For healthy results and optimal healing, it is very important that you practice proper oral hygiene habits before, during and after you get dental implants. We specialize in dental implants and teach our patients how to take care of them properly.
If proper care is not taken, your chances of increased plaque build-up around the dental implant can lead to serious issues like bleeding gums, gum disease, bone loss, infection and other dental problems which can limit the healing process.
- Brush thoroughly, twice a day with a specially-designed, soft-bristled toothbrush
- Floss regularly and gently
- Rinse daily with an antibacterial mouthwash
- Avoid surgery, sticky or hard roods
- Avoid smoking and other tobacco products
- Limit or avoid drinking alcohol altogether
- Stay constant with regular dental visits
At San Antonio Oral Surgery, we provide extensive post-op instructions for all our patients to take care of their dental implants. These after care tips are extremely helpful to ensure that your new smile stays healthy and radiant for years to come.
CALL US: (210) 656-3301 REQUEST APPOINTMENT