Dr. Jason Baldwin offers dental implants to patients from Reno, NV who suffer from missing or damaged teeth. Whether you are missing one, a few, or an entire row of teeth, we can devise a solution to replace them with implants. Thanks to advances in modern dentistry, these secured restorations look, feel, and function just like natural teeth. They also offer more benefits to your overall and oral health compared to other options such as a dental bridge or denture.
What are Dental Implants?
A dental implant is actually a titanium post that is used to secure a dental restoration. Titanium is the metal of choice for prosthetics such as implants because it is a biocompatible material that is easily accepted by the human body. This tiny screw-like post will be surgically placed in the jaw bone where it will naturally fuse with the surrounding bone over time. This creates a very durable base to secure a dental restoration to.
The entire restoration will be made up of a dental implant, an abutment, and then the restoration. An abutment is a small connector piece that is screwed onto the implant and will hold a dental restoration. There is also a one-piece implant that may be used where the implant already has the abutment attached to it. The last part that makes up an implant is the actual restoration which is the part that will replace the teeth.
The number of implants you need will depend on the number and location of your missing teeth. If you simply have one missing tooth, a single implant will be placed and a dental crown will be secured to it. If you have multiple missing teeth, you will need anywhere from two up to eight implants to secure a dental bridge or denture.
Dental Implant Process
The most important part of the dental implants process is proper planning. Dr. Baldwin will do a comprehensive dental exam that will include capturing three-dimensional images of your teeth and jaw. This will allow him to analyze your entire occlusal system and plan the placement of the implants.
The step is the surgical placement of the implants. Dr. Baldwin will place each tiny implant post into the jaw bone. It will take about three to six months for the implant to heal and integrate into the bone. Dr. Baldwin may coordinate with a local oral surgeon for this phase of the procedure.
After the implants have fully integrated with the surrounding jaw bone, Dr. Baldwin will secure the dental restoration. After this appointment, the full function of the teeth will be restored and your smile will be complete again.
i-CAT® Cone Beam 3D Dental Imaging System
Dr. Baldwin is one of few dentists in the Reno, NV area to have a Cone Beam CT Scanner in their office. This is vital technology needed to effectively place dental implants that are often skipped by dentists. It provides immediate details of the patient’s occlusal system that is necessary to correctly place implants.
When placing implants, it is vital that they are placed in a precise location to utilize available bone. The Cone Beam CT Scanner can also tell Dr. Baldwin if the patient needs a bone graft or a sinus lift. This complex piece of technology allows us to zero in on the exact location each implant should be placed to ensure the best results.