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Dental Implants

Providing Dental Implants in Pittsburgh, PA

We recommend dental implants to nearly all of our patients who are missing one or more teeth. The advantages implants have over other treatments for missing teeth are so significant that for many patients, the decision is a no-brainer. In fact, most dentists will agree that dental implants are actually better than natural teeth in most regards.

 

What are Dental Implants and How Do They Work?

 

A typical dental implant consists of two components – a titanium implant screw and a dental crown. Dr. Firouzi uses Ankylos brand implants, manufactured by DentSply. Dr. Firouzi begins by taking a CT scan of your jaw. Many dentists skip this step, but we feel it is a crucial one. A CT scan allows us to determine the optimal placement of the implant, and whether the gums and jawbone are healthy enough to support an implant. If there is not enough room to place the implant or if there may be other potential complications, a CT scan will detect and alert us to these issues.

 

Dr. Firouzi will then begin the actual procedure by drilling a small pilot hole into the jawbone where the missing tooth once was. This hole is then widened in order to accommodate the implant screw. The most important element of a successful implant procedure is called osseointegration. Osseointegration is the name of the process during which the implant screw anchors to the jawbone. This process can take anywhere from three to six months depending on the health of the jawbone and your general oral health. A successful osseointegration is necessary to move forward; otherwise, the implant will fail.

 

Once osseointegration is complete, the crown is attached to the implant screw and your dentist will perform any final touches. Your dental implant will look as natural, if not better than, the original tooth that was once in its place.

 

Advantages of Dental Implants

 

Implants have a number of advantages over other traditional treatments such as dental bridges and dentures. Perhaps the biggest advantage is the implant’s ability to maintain the health and structure of the surrounding jawbone. Your jaw tissue will deteriorate if it does not receive the stimulation it typically gets through chewing. Because the implant replaces the entire tooth, this stimulation is maintained, as is the jaw tissue surrounding it. This will maintain the structural integrity of your remaining teeth and jaw. Bridges and dentures will not necessarily do this. Furthermore, an implant can be cared for just like a natural tooth, eliminating the hassles associated with bridge and denture care.

 

Why Dental Implants?

 

If you live in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area and are missing one or more of your teeth, then dental implants may be the ideal treatment option for you. An examination by a qualified implant dentist will be necessary to determine your candidacy for the procedure.

Please contact our Pittsburgh cosmetic dentistry office to learn more about dental implants.