What are implants?

Dental implants are small, titanium, screw-shaped threaded cylinders that are placed into the bone in the upper and/or lower jaws. Once the implant procedure it complete, they look, feel and function like natural teeth. Implants can be used to replace one or many missing teeth or to stabilize dentures.

The implant acts like the root of a natural tooth, and bone actually forms around it to hold it firmly in place. A tooth colored crown is then placed over an abutment which is connected to the implant. The abutment is simply a small connecting piece between the implant and the crown.

In cases where there are several missing teeth, or where the patient has previously had dentures, multiple implants can be placed in the mouth to allow for implant-supported crowns, bridges or dentures.

With proper care, good dental hygiene, and a healthy lifestyle dental implants are a good long term solution for those with missing teeth.

What are the benefits of implants?

Implants maintain facial structure and profile and preserve bone.

Implants also help to preserve the adjacent natural teeth. With an implant-supported bridge, there is no need to compromise these natural teeth in order to hold the bridge in place.

Patients who wear conventional full dentures sometimes experience difficulty eating, speaking and smiling. Implant-supported dentures virtually eliminate embarrassing denture slippage by anchoring the dentures in place.
 
Dental surgery

Dr. Wittenberg provides a full range of oral surgery procedures. Most common is the removal of wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth are the last set of teeth to develop in adults and sometimes they don’t erupt completely or don’t emerge at all, becoming “impacted” between the jawbone and the gum tissue. Impacted wisdom teeth can result in swelling, pain and infection of the tooth and surrounding area. Dental surgery can be done using local anesthetic or by utilizing our general anesthetic and sedation techniques. 

Please contact our office for further information.