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Dental Implants Restore Your Smile and Mouth Function

Replace missing or damaged teeth with strong, natural-looking zirconia dental implants designed to provide a durable, metal-free foundation for your smile.

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Dental Implant vs Bridge

This video shows you the differences between a bridge and a dental implant to replace a missing tooth, while reviewing the benefits and potential drawbacks of each.

Implants Replace Missing Teeth and Improve Oral Health

Despite improvements in dental care, many people suffer tooth loss — mostly due to tooth infections, tooth decay, periodontal disease (gum disease), or injury. The only treatment options available for people with missing teeth were bridges and dentures for many years. Today, the space left by a missing tooth can be filled with a dental implant.

A Metal-Free Approach to Dental Implants

For patients looking for an alternative to traditional titanium implants, zirconia dental implants offer a strong, biocompatible, metal-free solution for replacing missing teeth. Made from durable, tooth-colored ceramic, these metal-free dental implants provide a stable foundation for natural-looking replacement teeth. Zirconia implants combine strength, function, and a natural appearance for patients seeking a long-lasting, metal-free way to restore their smile.

Learn More About Dental Implants at Laughlin Dental

A dental implant replaces the root of a missing tooth, creating a strong foundation for a replacement tooth. Zirconia dental implants are made from a durable, biocompatible ceramic material, offering a metal-free alternative to traditional titanium implants. Once placed in the jawbone, the implant supports a natural-looking restoration designed to restore both your smile and everyday function.

Dental implants can be used to replace a single tooth, multiple teeth, or even a full arch of teeth. Depending on your needs, implants may support crowns, bridges, or dentures. Your dentist can evaluate your smile and determine the right implant treatment for you.

Getting a zirconia dental implant typically involves several steps, with time between each stage to allow your mouth to heal. Your dentist will create a personalized treatment plan based on your oral health, the number of teeth being replaced, and the condition of your jawbone.

The dental implant process may include:

  • Treatment planning. Your dentist will evaluate your teeth, gums, bite, and jawbone to determine whether dental implants are right for you and develop a treatment plan based on your needs.
  • Tooth removal. If a damaged tooth is still present, it may need to be removed before your dental implant can be placed.
  • Bone grafting, if needed. If there is not enough healthy jawbone to support an implant, bone grafting may be recommended to strengthen the area before placement.
  • Zirconia implant placement. The metal-free zirconia implant is carefully placed into the jawbone, where it serves as a strong foundation for your replacement tooth.
  • Healing and integration. Over the next several months, the implant integrates with the surrounding bone to create a stable foundation for biting and chewing.
  • Restoration placement. Once the implant has healed, your custom replacement tooth is attached to complete your smile and restore natural-looking function.

Success rates of dental implants vary, depending on where in the jaw the implants are placed and the risk factors of the individual, but in general, implants have a success rate of up to 98%. With proper oral hygiene and management of risk factors, implants can last a lifetime.

The main difference is the material. Traditional dental implants are made from titanium, while zirconia implants are made from a durable, tooth-colored ceramic. Zirconia offers a metal-free option for patients who prefer an alternative to titanium while still providing strong, stable support for replacement teeth.

The advantages of dental implants include:

  • Stability. Because the implant is anchored in the jawbone, it’s as stable as a natural tooth.
  • No bone loss. Preservation of jaw bone (implants are not guaranteed to prevent all bone loss). The implant enables your jaw to retain bone matter at the site of the lost tooth.
  • Balancing function: replacement of a missing tooth or teeth benefits all teeth in the mouth by way of distributing forces more evenly over all teeth over time
  • Improved oral health. Implants can be brushed and flossed like a natural tooth, allowing patients to maintain good oral health.
  • Appearance. Depending on the site of the lost tooth, a bridge may be noticeable to others, impacting self-confidence. An implant looks just like a natural tooth.
  • Durability. With proper care, implants are likely to last longer than bridges or dentures — possibly for life.

The disadvantages of implants include the following:

  • An invasive procedure. An implant requires dental surgery, where the gums are cut open at the site of the lost tooth, and a hole is drilled into the jawbone to hold the titanium post.
  • Longer healing time. An implant requires several visits to the dentist and several months of healing time between appointments.
  • Cost. Implants are more expensive than bridges or dentures and typically aren’t covered by most insurance plans.

Many patients with missing teeth may be candidates for zirconia dental implants. Factors such as your gum health, jawbone strength, overall oral health, and the location of the missing tooth will help determine whether an implant is right for you. Your dentist can evaluate your smile and recommend the best option for your individual needs.

Contact Us Today

Dental implants are state-of-the-art tooth replacements. If you have a missing, damaged, or decayed tooth, contact us today to schedule a consultation. We will be happy to discuss implant options with you.

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