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, like a dental bridge or denture. Implants are a premier dental restoration to restore function and health to your teeth, gums, and jaw.
What are Dental Implants?
A dental implant is actually a titanium post used to secure a dental restoration. Titanium is the metal of choice for prosthetics such as implants because it is a biocompatible material easily accepted by the human body. This tiny screw-like post is 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.
The entire restoration will comprise a dental implant, an abutment, and the restoration. An abutment is a small connector piece that is screwed onto the implant and will hold a dental restoration. We may also use a one-piece implant 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, we will place a single implant secured by a dental crown. If you have multiple missing teeth, you need anywhere from two to eight implants to secure a dental bridge or denture.
Benefits of Dental Implants in Reno, NV
Implants offer many advantages over traditional restoration options. Dental implant restorations offer these benefits:
Natural Look
Dental implants look, feel, and function like your natural teeth. We work with dental labs to custom-design restorations to blend seamlessly with your existing teeth. You can smile, eat, and speak confidently, knowing your implants are virtually indistinguishable from your natural teeth.
Jawbone Support
Dental implants help preserve your jawbone. After you lose a permanent tooth, you lose the support of you jaw. Jaw bone loss typically occurs after tooth loss. Because implants act as new tooth roots, they help stimulate the jaw bone tissue.
Implants help maintain the structure of your face. They prevent the sunken appearance that can develop with missing teeth. Also, unlike traditional dental bridges, implants do not require altering adjacent teeth, which helps maintain your overall oral health.
Improved Bite Function
With dental implants, you can enjoy all your favorite foods without worry. Implants provide the same chewing power as natural teeth so you can bite and chew with ease. With treatments like removable dentures, your false teeth can slip around the mouth. With implants, you can
Self-Confidence Boost
When you lose permanent teeth, especially in the front of your mouth, you may hide your smile. A beautiful, complete smile can significantly boost your self-esteem. Dental implants give you the confidence to smile, laugh, and engage in social activities without feeling self-conscious about missing teeth.
Easy Care
Dental implants become a permanent part of your mouth. This eliminates the hassle of removing and cleaning dentures. You can care for your implants just like your natural teeth. We recommend that you brush, floss, and visit our dentist regularly to ensure your implant restorations last.
The Dental Implant Process
Proper planning is the most essential part of the dental implant process. Dr. Baldwin will perform a comprehensive dental exam that includes 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. Occlusion is how your teeth come together, and studying your bite will ensure the implant restoration stays stable.
Dr. Baldwin may recommend pretreatments to help prepare you for implant surgery. If you have tooth damage, cavities, or gum disease, we will treat these issues first. You must also have enough healthy jaw bone for implant treatment. We can recommend bone grafting to build up enough healthy tissue to support the implant posts.
The next 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. As you heal, the jaw bone will grow around the implant post to create a stable foundation for your false teeth.
For this phase of the procedure, Dr. Baldwin may coordinate with a local oral surgeon. After the implants fully integrate with the surrounding jaw bone, Dr. Baldwin will place the abutment. You will need more time for your gums to heal.
Once your final restoration is complete, you will return so we can 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 the few dentists in the Reno, NV, area to have a Cone Beam CT Scanner in their office. This vital technology is needed to effectively place dental implants, which dentists often skip. It provides immediate details of the patient’s occlusal system, which is necessary to place implants correctly.
Implants must be 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 technology allows us to zero in on the exact location where each implant should be placed to ensure the best results.
Restore Missing Teeth
Do you have one or more lost teeth? Call Dr. Baldwin at (530) 206-0392 for dental implants in Reno, NV. You can also schedule a dental appointment online. If you have any questions about implants, please let us know at your next visit.