Dental Implants

A smile is a lot of things. It’s contagious. It’s a mood improver, a stress reliever. It is a universal symbol for happiness and friendship. Unfortunately, you may find yourself not smiling, especially if you have broken, decayed, or missing teeth. Sometimes, people who have a removable dental device also fear smiling because they are afraid of it slipping or clicking. If this sounds like you, dental implants may be the right choice for you.

Dental implants are proven to work. They replace a missing tooth (or teeth) with a prosthesis that looks and functions like natural teeth. The surgical process is rather simple: the titanium post, called the implant, is inserted into the jaw bone. It will incorporate within your natural jaw bone while you heal for several weeks. This is called osseointegration, and it is vital to a successful dental implantation. After healing is complete, an abutment and a crown are secured together.

To remedy several broken, missing, or decayed teeth, you may be told by your oral surgeon that the All-on-4^® Treatment Concept is the appropriate surgery for you. The All-on-4^® Treatment Concept is a type of dental implant procedure that utilizes 4 specialized implants that result in full-arch restoration, which is unlike a single dental implant that replaces an individual tooth and tooth root. It is such a popular procedure because patients experience a quick surgical procedure with long-term results. Many All-on-4^® Treatment Concept patients are glad they choose this procedure and enjoy their secure, natural-looking, long-lasting results.

Everyone should be able to express themselves comfortably. But even beyond that, eating the foods you love and not worrying about a detachable dental prosthesis is also something to smile about. Dental implants offer more than new teeth; they offer individual confidence and a restored life.

We know we can help you find your best smile, so please contact our office today to schedule your consultation. Dr. Marashi will provide a comprehensive examination to determine your best procedure plan so you can experience the best outcome.

Whether you are just starting the dental implant process or you have already had dental implants placed, it is safe to assume you have heard of a “soft food diet.” But what is considered okay for the soft food diet, and why is it imperative to your dental implant healing process?

We can assure you that while a soft food diet sounds intimidating, it is not as scary as it seems. A soft food diet consists of just that – soft foods that are easier to chew or do not require any chewing at all. And you can still maintain a balanced diet, full of vitamins and nutrients, which are key to general health and the healing process.

Once you hear the words “soft food diet,” you may be thinking it’s incredibly restrictive; keep in mind it is only temporary! Plus, there are a lot of delicious foods you can enjoy while you recover. The type of dental implant procedure you undergo, whether it’s single or multiple dental implants or the complete All-On-Four restoration, will dictate your specific soft food diet. Soft foods include soup, eggs, fish, all types of cooked pasta, and juice smoothies, which are all ideal foods to eat that are rich in good nutrients. The hard or chewy foods to avoid are crunchy fruits and vegetables or tortilla chips with those sharp edges. Specific foods to eat and which ones to avoid will be detailed by your oral surgeon.

A soft food diet is necessary and very important because your new dental implants are going through a natural process called osseointegration, which means they are fusing with your jaw bone. Dental implants offer a secure option for patients who want a dental restoration that functions just like a natural tooth, and the osseointegration process ensures that the new tooth root is incredibly strong after it has completely healed. Other dental replacement methods, like bridges or temporary dentures, lack a new “root” and are not attached to the patient’s jaw bone.

The duration of your soft food diet depends. Your oral surgeon will monitor your healing process and consider your individual factors, such as overall health and amount of healthy bone present in the jaw, and if any other procedures were performed prior to your dental implant placement. Healing time varies from patient to patient. Vigorous chewing of “harder” foods too early can cause complications, and you can be at risk of infection or less-than-optimal integration of the dental implant into the bone. You must adhere to your advised soft food diet to promote better healing and the best possible outcome. You can resume eating and enjoying the foods you love once your oral surgeon has determined your healing process is complete.

For more information on dental implants or to schedule a consultation, please call Greater Charlotte Oral & Facial Surgery and find out if dental implants are the best option for you.

Dental Implants on TopDentalImplantSurgeons.com

Finding the right tooth replacement option for you can depend on a multitude of factors. Everyone’s mouth is different, and our team at Greater Charlotte Oral & Facial Surgery knows how important it is to develop a custom treatment plan for each patient. We care about you and your oral health, so to help you decide what treatment is best for you, we’ve provided some information about the pros and cons of the two most popular tooth replacement options considered by patients—removable dentures and dental implants. Choosing the right tooth replacement option for you will probably depend upon the health of your mouth, your overall health, your personal preferences, and your financial situation.

Dentures have drastically improved in quality over the last few years regarding appearance, functionality, and fit. Dentures can help patients eat and improve the overall appearance of their smile. If some of your teeth are missing, partial dentures can help protect the remaining teeth from excess wear. They also help to support the facial muscles, which can become sunken in or weakened without teeth underneath them. While dentures initially appear to be more affordable than dental implants, the additional costs associated with maintaining dentures can add up over time. And because dentures do not support healthy jaw bone growth, you may need to undergo a secondary bone grafting surgery should you choose a different restoration solution in the future.

Dental implants offer many benefits over traditional, removable dentures. Many patients report that implants look and feel just like their natural teeth. Dental implants can permanently anchor a denture, partial or crown in your jaw, so there is no risk of your teeth falling out while you’re speaking or eating. Additionally, dental implants require little additional care aside from regular dental hygiene (brushing and flossing). If you are replacing one or a few teeth, dental implants are an especially good option. Missing teeth and the use of removable dentures can lead to jaw bone deterioration, but dental implants fight jaw bone loss by stimulating the jaw bone, just like your natural tooth’s root would. Dental implants are also more sanitary than removable prostheses, which can cause tooth decay and other problems for surrounding teeth.

There are many different dental implant procedures available. Advances in implant technology have made it possible to replace a full arch of teeth with a permanent, implant-supported prosthesis. Even if you have been told your jaw is too weak to support dental implants, we encourage you to schedule a consultation. The advances in bone grafting technology make it possible for many patients with minimal jaw bone to receive dental implants. And while the initial cost of restoring your teeth with implants may be higher than the initial cost of a removable denture, they will last a lifetime if properly cared for, making them the most cost-effective, long-term restorative solution.

There are many different options available to restore your smile. No matter what option you choose, it’s a good idea to replace missing teeth quickly. Doing so reduces the amount of pressure on your remaining teeth, and reduces chances of developing jaw bone loss. Start moving toward your new smile by contacting our office to schedule a consultation. Our expert oral surgeon will help you choose the right tooth restoration option for you.