Dr. Uttma Dham is a well-trained dental implant dentist in Plantation, FL. Her team at Westside Dental Center offers full dental implant services all in one place. Dental implants are the best solution for replacing missing or damaged teeth. To understand why, it’s good to know what they are and how they work.
Dental implants are the most natural way to replace missing teeth because they replace teeth at the root. This lowers the risk of future oral health problems like bone loss and gum disease. Replacing missing teeth keeps your mouth healthy, boosts your confidence, and improves your quality of life. Westside Dental Center offers several types of affordable dental implant options near you in Plantation, FL.
Dental Implants in Plantation, FL
Dr. Dham recommends dental implants because of their long-term benefits. Dental implants offer great support for lasting oral health. They also work and feel the most like natural teeth.
Dental implants provide a wide range of benefits including:
- No dietary restrictions
- Natural looking and comfortable
- Affords bite stability
- Prevents shifting of teeth
- Promotes natural bone regeneration
- Prevents facial sagging
- Reduces risk of gum disease & gum recession
- Minimizes risk of additional tooth loss
Your dentist will give you a personal consultation to see if you can get dental implants. For implants to work, you need enough healthy bone. If you don’t have enough bone, bone grafting can fix this before getting implants. Our affordable dental implants can replace a single missing tooth with a crown or secure dental bridges or dentures.
Parts of a Dental Implant
Dental implants have three parts: the implant post, the abutment, and the dental prosthesis. Below, you will learn about these parts to understand what implants are and how they work.
Implant Post
The implant post looks like a screw with threads and is the most important part of a dental implant. The metal post makes this advanced missing teeth treatment different from other options. It consists of titanium alloy, which the body accepts. These posts are lightweight yet very strong.
Implant posts come in many shapes, sizes, and lengths to fit different areas in your mouth. Our implant specialist surgically places the implant post into your jawbone to support a dental prosthesis.
Abutment
The abutment is a small connector piece that’s also made of titanium. It attaches to the implant post and holds the dental prosthetic. The abutment sits at the gum line, on top of the implant post, and helps secure the dental prosthesis. The dentist attaches the abutment after your mouth heals over the implant post and the post fuses with the bone.
Sometimes, the dentist can place the abutment right after putting in the implant post. This is sometimes called a healing cap. When your permanent prosthesis is ready, the dentist will replace the healing abutment with a permanent one.
Prosthesis
The prosthesis is the visible part of the dental implant that replaces the crown of the tooth. Thanks to advances in dental technology, your new teeth will look, feel, and work just like real teeth. Dr. Dham will decide the type of prosthesis you need based on how many teeth are missing and where they are.
For example, Dr. Dham will place a dental crown if you are only missing one tooth. She will attach a dental bridge to the implant if you are missing several teeth in a row. If you are missing several teeth that are not in a row and need to fill those gaps, Dr. Dham will secure a partial denture. She may place a full denture for patients missing all their teeth.
Dental Implants Process
Dental implants are the best option for matching the stability and function of a natural tooth. The implant is made of high-quality, medical-grade titanium that is safe for the body. The dentist surgically places the implant post to act as a replacement root. This also helps prevent future jawbone loss.
To begin the dental implant procedure, Dr. Dham will first do a dental exam. She will decide if you can get dental implants before approving you for surgery. Candidates for this procedure do not have gum disease and have a healthy mouth.
The next step is to place the implant post into the jaw. An oral surgeon takes about an hour to do this surgery. As your mouth heals, the jawbone fuses with the post in a process called osseointegration. This healing helps support the implant for a long time.
Your mouth usually takes about 3 to 6 months to fully heal and integrate with the implant. Once Dr. Dham sees that the implant is stable, she attaches an abutment to the implant above the gum line. The abutment holds the final dental restoration in place.
Dr. Dham will build the dental restoration or prosthetic using 3D digital scanning and modern dental materials. The result will be a beautiful and natural-looking restoration, custom-fit to your mouth. We can also show you what the final restoration will look like before making it using these scans.
Once your mouth completely heals, we will secure the final restoration to the abutment. Many patients will wear a temporary restoration while waiting for their mouth to heal. You can choose between a dental crown, bridge, or dentures based on your needs.
Each restoration is custom-made to match the color, shape, and size of your natural teeth. We guarantee that the restoration will blend in seamlessly with the rest of your mouth. Once Dr. Dham places the final piece, you will leave our dental office with new teeth that look and work just like natural teeth.
To learn more about our dental implant services in Plantation, visit:
- Benefits of Dental Implants
- Dental Implant FAQ
- Cost of Dental Implants
- All on Four
- Implant Supported Dentures
- Single Tooth Dental Implants
- Dental Implant Process
Dental Implant FAQs
Are dental implants right for me?
Thanks to new technology, dental implants are now available to more patients. You should have a healthy mouth to qualify. To find out if you can get dental implants, visit your dentist. Dr. Dham will explain all your options for replacing missing teeth, so you can make the best choice for yourself.
How much do dental implants cost?
The cost of your dental implants depends on how many you need and where they will go. It also depends on any other dental work needed to fix your smile. Dr. Dham will explain all your options, including how to pay and any plans that might help you use your insurance benefits.
Can dental implants secure a denture?
Yes, dental implants can keep loose dentures in place. They make dentures less likely to slip, boost your confidence, and make it easier to eat healthy foods. Whether you need new dentures or have old ones, ask Dr. Dham about getting permanent dentures supported by implants.
Schedule a Dental Exam Today
Dr. Uttma Dham is a comprehensive dentist in Plantation, FL who has extensive training in implant dentistry. Dr. Dham has built her dental practice on the principle of patient wellness. She strives to help patients maintain and restore their most natural, beautiful smile through high-quality, personalized dentistry. Give us a call to schedule an appointment at (954) 251-0640 today.