Dental Implants in Decatur, GA
Put multiple dental appointments and uncomfortable temporary restorations in the past. Using state-of-the-art CEREC technology, we design, create, and place your custom crowns and bridges in a single appointment. Focusing on durable, aesthetic restorations that last, you can leave our office with a beautiful smile on the same day.
What Is a Dental Implant?
Understanding the Basics
Dental implants consist of three primary parts. The first is the implant itself, which is a tiny metal rod built of titanium that’s shaped like a screw. This is surgically implanted into your mouth to act as an artificial tooth root.
Next is the abutment, which is a small metal connector that attaches to the dental implant and allows it to connect to a dental implant restoration. This can be placed during tooth implant surgery or during a later appointment.
The third and final part of a dental implant is the dental implant “restoration” or prosthetic. Single-tooth implants use one dental crown, but multiple implants can be used to support a dental bridge or denture as well. Tooth implants can be both used for cosmetic dentistry and restorative dentistry. Interested in implants? Schedule a consultation at O’Shea Dentistry today.
Strengthen & Beautify Your Smile
The Unique Benefits of Dental Implants
First of all, dental implants help stimulate and protect your jaw bone after tooth loss, unlike bridges or dentures. This protects the strength of your jaw, as well as the appearance of your face, which can change over time due to bone loss. Implants also never move or shift when you smile, eat, or chew, and they look and feel completely natural. Not only that, but they can last 30+ years with proper care. Most types of dental implants also require minimal maintenance, making them easy to care for. For all of these reasons, implants are considered to be the “gold standard” for permanent tooth replacement.
The Dental Implant Treatment Process
What to Expect
The Unique Benefits of Dental Implants
First, you will visit us for an implant consultation, and a doctor will determine if this treatment is right for you. If you’re approved for treatment, he will begin developing your treatment plan right away.
Implant Placement Process
Your implant will be surgically implanted into your mouth a few weeks after your initial consultation. At O’Shea we use a comprehensive treatment plan and guide to ensure the implant is placed perfectly.
Implant Healing Process (Osseointegration)
Implant Restoration Process
Know Your Options
Am I a Good Candidate for a Dental Implant?
What Are the Benefits of Dental Implants?
The list of benefits that come with dental implants is extensive. They’re a unique tooth restoration because they’re the only tooth replacement that can prevent bone loss and restore an artificial tooth root.
The integration of the implant in the jaw firmly holds tooth restoration in place so that it can never move. While other fixed restorations like dental bridges exist, they can become ill-fitting over time.
Because implants restore the tooth’s root instead of just the crown, they look, feel, and function just like natural teeth. Implants are highly durable, and made of biocompatible materials. The preservation of your jawbone prevents serious consequences of bone loss such as changes to your facial shape and facial sagging.
This retains your youthful appearance, restores your ability to chew and speak clearly, and you never have to worry about your teeth falling out or shifting while you do so. Best of all, implants let you live a restriction-free lifestyle, where you can eat whatever you want.
Implants have a 95% success rate, which is much higher than other restorative procedures. Caring for your dental implants is low maintenance, unlike dentures and bridges which require extensive cleaning regimens.You clean an implant ust like you would your natural teeth.
How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
Implants are also a life-long fix instead of a temporary one. While dentures and bridges last for about 10 years or less, a dental implant has a minimum lifespan of 25 years. Most patients enjoy their implants for life, never needing to replace them.
Implants are a permanent solution to lost teeth since you never need to replace them as long as you properly care for them and maintain good oral hygiene.
Dental Implants: What Are My Options?
Implant Restorations:
SINGLE-TOOTH IMPLANTS
FULL ARCH IMPLANTS
Maintenance
Even though replacing a tooth with a dental implant means you won’t get a cavity, it’s still crucial that you practice good oral hygiene and attend maintenance appointments to prevent your risk for gum disease and peri-implantitis.
These appointments last for about an hour and involve thoroughly cleaning the implant site. This may include guided biofilm therapy, which is the use of air polishing to clean around the implant site below the gums.
Other tools may include special scalers that are designed to clean around implants. It’s also important that you’re brushing and flossing at home. During these maintenance appointments, we will check for signs of infection and ensure that there are no problems with your implants.
These appointments are recommended every 3 months. If you have dental implants and haven’t had a maintenance cleaning in the past 3 months, contact us at O’Shea Dentistry to schedule a cleaning today.
Feel Confident With O'Shea Dentistry
To provide optimal care for our patients in an environment that allows dental professionals to be their best.
Any Questions?
FAQs
How often should I visit the dentist?
It’s generally recommended to visit the dentist every six months for a routine check-up and cleaning. However, the frequency may vary based on individual needs, such as the presence of gum disease or other oral health concerns.