Implants
Dental implants are artificial tooth replacements that were first developed half a century ago by a Swedish scientist named Per-Ingvar Branemark. Implants arose from the patient's need to secure loose-fitting dentures. Since the advent of the implant, engineering and enhancements to the implant have enabled dentists to expand the implant's usefulness, including the replacement of missing or lost teeth. Today, implant techniques provide a wide range of tooth replacement solutions including:
- Single Tooth Replacement
- Anterior Replacement
- Posterior Replacement
- Full Upper Replacement
Types of Implants
There are three main types of implants:
- The root implant
- The plate form implant
- The subperiosteal implant
The root implant—by far, the most popular—is the most effective because it mirrors the size and shape of a patient's natural tooth. This implant is often as strong as the patient's original tooth. The implant or artificial root is placed into the jawbone under local anesthesia, then allowed to heal and integrate with the bone. Once the healing process is completed and the jawbone is attached to the implant, the patient returns to the dental office where the implant is fitted with the new tooth. This process generally takes anywhere from three to eight months.
The plate form implant is ideal in situations where the jawbone is not wide enough to properly support a root implant. The plate form implant is long and thin, unlike the root implant, and anchors into thin jawbones. It is inserted the same way as a root implant. In certain cases, the plate form implant is immediately fitted with the restoration without waiting for the healing process to run its course.
The subperiosteal implant is used when the jawbone has receded to the point where it can no longer support a permanent implant.
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Invisalign®
Introducing Invisalign® — The Straightest Way to a Great Smile
Invisalign® straightens your teeth without wires and brackets, using a series of clear, customized, removable appliances called aligners. It’s virtually undetectable, which means hardly anyone will know that you’re straightening your teeth.
Clearly Different
The Invisalign® System combines advanced 3-D computer graphics technology with 100-year-old science of orthodontics. Invisalign® aligners are designed to move your teeth in small steps to the desired final position prescribed by your orthodontist. Each aligner is precisely calibrated and manufactured to fit your mouth at each stage of the treatment plan. Your first step is to visit our office to determine if Invisalign® is right for you. After sending precise treatment instructions, Invisalign® uses advanced computer technology to translate these instructions in a sequence of finely calibrated aligners -- as few as 12 or as many as 48. Each aligner is worn for about two weeks and only taken out to eat, brush and floss. As you replace each aligner with the next, your teeth will begin to move gradually -- week-by-week until the final alignment prescribed is attained. Then you'll be smiling like you never have before!
If you want to learn more about Invisalign® and how it works, please visit the Invisalign® Homepage.
To ensure the best possible results, only an orthodontist who has been trained and certified by Align Technology can diagnose and treat using Invisalign®. Invisalign® is not intended for children and is not appropriate for every adult. Only an orthodontist can determine if this treatment is an effective option for you. To see if Invisalign® can help you achieve the smile you've always wanted, call us at (000) 000-0000 to make an appointment.
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Lumineers
We now have Lumineers™ by Cerinate available in our office! Lumineers™ can make everyone’s smile more beautiful without the painful removal of tooth structure. Lumineers™ are a painless, permanent cosmetic solution for stained, chipped, discolored or misaligned teeth. Lumineers™ are porcelain veneers that can be made as thin as a contact lens and are placed over existing teeth without drilling or requiring removal of painful tooth structure, in most cases (unlike traditional veneers). And in most cases, no anesthesia shots are needed!
Many patients with minor orthodontic problems happily correct their smile with Lumineers™. These special porcelain veneers are also notorious for their longevity. They are clinically proven to last up to 20 years and even include a 5-year warranty! They are also quite different from traditional veneers as the procedure can be reversed since the tooth structure is still intact after placement.
Lumineers™ are almost as natural as your real teeth. You should continue visiting your dentist regularly for cleanings and checkups and also continue a good oral hygiene regimen. You can continue eating and drinking everything you normally did before the procedure!
Each patient’s case is different; therefore, fees often vary. Your dentist will determine the cost for your treatment plan after a thorough examination. Contact us for more information on Lumineers™ and how they can improve your smile!
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