DENTAL IMPLANTS

Birmingham, Alabama Implant Dentistry

Tooth loss, whether from periodontitis, oral injury, congenitally missing teeth, or any number of other reasons can affect not only the appearance of your smile, but the quality of your life. Tooth loss can also affect your eating habits, speech, and your self esteem.

Fortunately, dental implants can offer you not only a replacement dental crown for a tooth or set of teeth, but roots that prevent further damage and deterioration to your oral health. Implant dentistry has provided a secure solution to tooth replacement that looks, feels, and functions like your natural teeth.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are small titanium screws surgically inserted into the jaw bone. As the dental implant area heals, the bone in the jaw integrates with the dental implant securing it in place in much the same way your jaw bone integrates with your natural tooth root.

A dental crown is attached to the upper surface of the dental implant in the case of a single tooth replacement. Multiple teeth can be replaced by securely attaching a denture or partial denture to the surface of the dental implants.

Teeth-in-an-hour™
		Traditionally, implant dentistry often requires weeks or even months before the replacement tooth or teeth can be fitted to the new dental implants. However, new concepts using traditional techniques can literally provide you with Teeth-in-an-hour™. A CT scan and VR software are used to plan dental implant placement and teeth fabrication before the surgery is even performed, allowing you to leave Dr. Koch's Birmingham, Alabama office with your new smile in about an hour.

 

Benefits of Dental Implants

• Dental implants look and feel like natural teeth. Because they integrate into the bone like a real tooth, dental implants tend to achieve a more natural function and appearance, from root to tooth surface.
   
• While traditional bridging requires dental reduction (filing of the adjacent healthy teeth), using implant dentistry does not require any alteration of neighboring teeth, significantly improving long-term oral health.
   
• Tooth migration and bone loss that typically occur when you lose a tooth can be prevented with dental implants as they mimic natural teeth.

How Implant Dentistry Works

Dental implant surgery is relatively quick, virtually painless, and recovery times are generally short.

The gum surface is minimally cut to expose the underlying bone where the dental implant will be placed. A small hole is drilled into the bone to allow dental implant placement which will act as the root of your new tooth. An abutment is attached to the top of the dental implant and an artificial tooth is then attached to the abutment.

Over time, the bone in your jaw will grow and integrate with the dental implant, providing a secure, stable root for your new artificial tooth.

Who is a Good Candidate for Implant Dentistry?

Dental implants may be right for you if:

• You have one or more missing teeth
• You have adequate bone in your jaw to secure the dental implant
• You have good overall oral health
• You do not have existing conditions that may inhibit bone growth
• You cannot or do not want to wear dentures
• You want to improve your smile

The best way to tell if you are a good candidate for dental implants is to come visit with Dr. Paul Koch in his Birmingham, Alabama office. He is trained in implant dentistry and has the latest technology available for accurately planning for and placing a dental implant. Simply give us a call or fill out the form at the right of this page.