Contact

A Remarkable Treatment For Lost Teeth

Living with missing teeth can affect not only your self-confidence but your ability to speak and chew comfortably too. Not everyone wants to go the route of dentures and would prefer a tooth replacement solution that closely mimics natural teeth. That is where dental implants come in to play, a revolutionary tooth replacement solution offered right here at our Anchorage dentist office!

Implant dentistry focuses on restoring missing teeth with permanent titanium rods that hold prosthetics above your gumline. This incredible solution for tooth loss can stabilize your bite and return the appearance of your smile in as little as two dental appointments. You can think of a dental implant as a replacement tooth root that secures a dental crown, bridge, or even a set of dentures!

What is a Dental Implant?

A dental implant is a surgical fixture that is placed into the jawbone and allowed to fuse with the bone over a few months. It acts as a replacement for the root of a missing tooth. This “artificial tooth root” serves to hold a replacement tooth or bridge. Made from titanium, dental implants provide a highly durable and stable base that is biocompatible, reducing the chances of your body rejecting the implant. Dental implants have revolutionized dentistry, making it possible to replace a single tooth or all teeth. Implants look and feel like your own teeth, and because they maintain bone mass, they can prevent additional tooth loss and the sunken facial appearance associated with missing teeth.

Dr. Maisey showing a patient a dental implant and crown

What Makes Dental Implants Unique?

Implants offer a benefit provided by no other dental prosthetic. When your tooth is healthy, it transfers the force of your bite into your jawbone, which signals your nervous system to provide nutrients and minerals to maintain the bone’s density. When you lose your tooth, you lose this signal, and your brain redirects material elsewhere. Within a year, over a quarter of the surrounding bone is lost. This can destabilize remaining teeth and lead to unfavorable changes in your face’s structure.

By placing a dental implant, we can restore stimulation to your jawbone by transferring the force of your bite once again! This preserves the bone and prevents complications that arise due to lost density.

Am I A Candidate For Dental Implants?

Because implants fuse permanently to your jawbone, your jaw must be strong enough to hold your new prosthetic. We will conduct a thorough examination to decide if implants are the best tooth loss solution for you. Because implants require healthy gums to create a seal around your post, you will need to have any active periodontal infection under control before moving forward with placement.

Benefits of Dental Implants

Dental implants come with a plethora of benefits that contribute to enhancing oral health and overall quality of life.

  1. Natural Appearance and Comfort: Dental implants are designed to look, feel, and function like your natural teeth. They integrate into the structure of your bone, eliminating the discomfort often associated with removable dentures.
  2. Improved Oral Health: Unlike tooth-supported bridges, dental implants don’t require reducing other teeth. This leaves more of your natural teeth intact, improving long-term oral health. Individual implants also allow easier access between teeth, enhancing oral hygiene.
  3. Durability: Dental implants are highly durable and can last many years. With good care, many implants last a lifetime.
  4. Prevention of Bone Loss: When you lose teeth, you also tend to lose bone mass in your jaw. Dental implants are the only tooth replacement option that also replaces jaw bone stimulation, helping to prevent bone loss.
  5. Improved Speech and Eating: Poor-fitting dentures can slip in the mouth, causing mumbled speech or discomfort during eating. Dental implants function like your own teeth, allowing you to eat your favorite foods with confidence and without pain.
  6. Improved Self-Esteem: Dental implants can help restore your smile and improve your self-esteem. They offer a permanent solution for missing teeth, eliminating the embarrassment that often comes with removable dentures.

Remember, though dental implants come with numerous benefits, they may not be the best option for everyone. Consult with our Anchorage dentists to determine the best treatment plan for you.

Types of Dental Implants You Can Choose From

Dental implants come in varying shapes, sizes, and types to address different patient needs.

  1. Single Dental Implants: These are the most commonly used type of implant. Made of titanium, they resemble small screws and are placed directly into the jawbone. They provide a safe and effective alternative to bridges or removable dentures.
  2. Implant-Supported Bridges: This option involves using implants to support a dental bridge, which replaces multiple missing teeth. It provides stability and prevents the need for altering adjacent healthy teeth.
  3. All-on-4 Implants: This technique uses four strategically placed implants to support a full arch of replacement teeth. It offers a fixed and more affordable solution for patients with significant tooth loss or those who require full-mouth rehabilitation.
  4. Mini Implants: Also known as small or narrow-diameter implants, these toothpick-sized implants are narrower than regular dental implants. They are suitable for patients with narrower spaces or for replacing front teeth.
Example of what all-on-4 dental implants - also called implant-supported dentures - look like.

Choosing the most suitable implant option depends on your specific situation, including jawbone health, the number of teeth requiring replacement, and the location in your mouth where the implant will be placed. Consult with Dr. Morrell and Dr. Maisey to determine the best solution for your needs.

How Long Do Dental Implants Last?

With proper care, your implant post should remain secure for the rest of your life. The life of your prosthetic above the gumline will depend on the type we select. A dental crown can last more than ten years, for example. Implant-supported dentures and bridges may last even longer than their traditional counterparts because changes in jawbone density due to tooth loss can cause a standard bridge or denture to no longer fit in place after a certain number of years.

The Dental Implant Process at Denali Dental Care

At Denali Dental Care, the dental implant process is carried out meticulously, ensuring optimal outcomes for patients.

  1. Consultation and Evaluation: The process begins with a comprehensive consultation and oral examination. Our dentists in Anchorage will evaluate your oral health status, take necessary X-rays, and discuss your dental history. This helps to determine if you’re an ideal candidate for dental implants.
  2. Preparatory procedures: Depending on the examination results, preparatory procedures such as bone grafting may be required to ensure your jawbone can support the implant.
  3. Implant Placement: Once your jawbone is ready, Dr. Morrell or Dr. Maisey surgically places the titanium implant into your jawbone. This procedure is typically done under local anesthesia to ensure patient comfort.
  4. Healing and Osseointegration: This is a crucial stage where the jawbone grows around the implant to secure it in place. This process, known as osseointegration, typically takes a few months.
  5. Abutment Placement: Once osseointegration is complete, an abutment, a small connector post that holds the new tooth, is attached to the implant post.
  6. Crown Attachment: Finally, a customized dental crown, which has been created in a dental lab to match your natural teeth, is attached to the abutment.

Denali Dental Care ensures a smooth and comfortable experience throughout the dental implant process. We’re committed to helping you regain a healthy, confident smile.

We Place Dental Implants in Anchorage, AK!

Are you in search of dentists who are skilled at placing dental implants in Anchorage, AK? You can have full confidence in the abilities of our highly skilled dentists Dr. Morrell and Dr. Maisey to restore your smile. Contact Denali Dental Care to schedule your appointment today. Your new smile is a call away!