Whether you’re missing one, several or all of your teeth, dental implants can help you restore a healthy, fully functioning and confident smile. Dental implants are titanium tooth roots that are securely bonded to the jawbone, providing a stable foundation to replacement teeth. Dr. Mia Fitzgerald is an exceptionally trained and experienced implant dentist that can recreate the look and feel of a complete smile with implant-supported bridges, crowns or dentures. As a graduate and recently appointed mentor of the esteemed Kois Center, an advanced teaching institution for implant dentists, Dr. Fitzgerald stays abreast of the latest dental advances. She and our world-class team will work closely with you to help you achieve the best results possible.
Understanding Your Choices
Implant-supported crowns consist of a titanium implant post that anchors a single dental crown that sits on top of the gum line. The crown recreates the entire exterior of a tooth.
Implant-supported dental bridges replace one or more missing teeth. They differ from conventional bridges in that they do not rely on surrounding teeth for support. Implant-supported dental bridges consist of two or more crowns anchored by one or more implant posts. They are an excellent choice if you do not have natural teeth that are healthy or strong enough to support a conventional bridge.
Implant-supported dentures replace an entire arch of missing teeth. While conventional dentures are removable, implant-supported dentures are not — and as a result require less maintenance. The dentures are attached to four to eight implant posts that are surgically inserted into various points of the jaw and securely fastened into place. With implant-supported dentures, there is no risk of the artificial teeth shifting around or slipping out of the mouth. An added health benefit to implant-supported dentures is that they stimulate the jawbone and prevent it from shrinking. Once in place, implant-supported dentures can only be removed by your dentist.
You will work closely with Dr. Fitzgerald to choose the appropriate implant-supported dental restoration. The details of your implant treatment, including the number of posts, and color and appearance of your replacement teeth, will be discussed thoroughly during the consultation phase with Dr. Fitzgerald.
Procedure Details
The dental implant placement process typically requires careful planning and a referral to a periodontist or oral surgeon who will surgically insert the post into the jaw. Once the tooth or teeth have been removed by the specialist, Dr. Fitzgerald will take impressions of your teeth and mouth to create your replacement tooth or teeth. The jawbone will be left to heal for a period of several months, during which the implant posts fuse with the surrounding bone. This process, called osseointegration, is essential to creating a stable and long-lasting foundation for the replacement tooth or teeth.
Once the jawbone and implant posts have integrated properly, you will return to our office so Dr. Fitzgerald can place your replacement teeth. An abutment or connector piece is placed on top of the implant post and the replacement teeth are fastened on top of it.
With proper care and good oral hygiene, your implant-supported dental restoration can last for many years. Our team can provide you with tips on how to take care of your newly confident and complete smile.
Schedule an Appointment with Our Implant Dentist
To learn more about replacing missing teeth with implant-supported dental restorations, contact the dental practice of Dr. Mia Fitzgerald. A member of our friendly and experienced staff will be happy to speak with you.
