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Precise Tooth Replacement With Dental Implants in Cary, NC
Losing a tooth isn’t the end of the world. In fact, about 178 million Americans have at least one tooth missing. From accidents to oral disease to genetic predispositions, there are many reasons why you can find yourself missing a tooth.
However, even though no one likes to have a gap in their smile, losing a tooth involves more than just cosmetic concerns. Over time, your jaw has to compensate for the empty area left in your mouth, and your teeth will begin to shift. This can cause teeth crookedness, and you can also wind up with sagging in your facial features.
Thankfully, there is a permanent solution for tooth loss: dental implants. If you’ve never talked with your dentist about getting a dental implant, you may be wondering how beneficial it really is, where you can get the best dental implants, and what the procedure entails. We’re here to answer all your questions here in this blog post.
First, let’s discuss who benefits from getting a dental implant.
Who Benefits From Dental Implants?
Just about anyone who is missing a tooth or multiple teeth can benefit from a dental implant. However, a patient must meet certain requirements to get this type of dental surgery.
Because the process requires drilling into the jawbone to attach the metal post–in most cases–your dentist needs to make sure that you have a history of good oral health. If you’ve had cavities that have turned into long-term abscesses, for example, that may mean that your jawbone structure is compromised.
Your jawbone can also be compromised due to age, or it can be weakened in one area after a tooth extraction. Thankfully, there are ways to get around this. Our dentist, Dr. Leedy, offers bone grafting for people who need to grow bone for a dental implant.
As long as your oral health is in check and your jawbone is strong enough for the implant procedure, you can get yourself scheduled. Even if you have an allergy to certain metals, our dental implants are made with titanium metal, which is compatible with living tissue.
Why Some Teeth Implants Are Better Than Others
When you need a dental implant, you need to make sure that the one you get is high-quality and is installed by a dentist who is experienced in dental implant surgery. Not all implants are created equal, and you should always do your research on your dentist and the types of implants before you commit to dental surgery.
There are several reasons why our dental implants in Cary, NC are the best in town. At our dental office, our approach to oral health focuses on the entire patient. To provide our patients with the best dental services, we offer the following:
Advanced Dental Technology
As dentistry has continued to advance, we have made it a point to keep all of our dental technology up to date so that our patients receive the best care possible. Our technology includes:
- 3D Cone Beam X-Rays
- Digital X-Rays
- Digital Impressions With a Trios3 Digital Scanner From 3Shape
- Intraoral Photography
- Soft Tissue Laser Therapy
PRF Bone Grafting
PRF bone grafting is a revolutionary procedure in the dental industry. It helps patients regrow part of their bone structure so they can get the dental surgeries they want, even after a bad abscess or a tooth extraction.
What makes our bone grafting even more special is that we can use your body’s own regenerative cells to do this through a procedure called Platelet Rich Fibrin, or PRF.
Our dentist and his team are trained in phlebotomy. During PRF bone grafting, they will collect blood from either your right or left arm, just like when you visit your physician for blood work. A vial of your blood will then be spun in a centrifuge for over ten minutes.
The result is a concentration of platelet rich fibrin that will be placed in the extraction site. This platelet rich fibrin is rich in regenerative properties and is also 100% compatible with you. The combination of PRF and bone graft material provides optimal healing, resulting in a strong bone that can support dental implants long-term.
What to Expect During a Dental Implant Procedure in Cary, NC
The dental implant procedure and healing process can take months to complete from start to finish. Here is a quick breakdown of what you can expect during your dental implant appointment and all of the steps that will happen afterwards:
- Initial Consultation – During your consultation, Dr. Leedy will examine your mouth, ask about your oral health history, and make sure you are a good candidate for a dental implant.
- CT and Digital Scan for Accurate Implant Placement – After checking your oral health, you will be given a CT and Digital Scan. This scan will help Dr. Leedy plan out the implant placement so the procedure is accurate and efficient.
- Surgical Guide Creation – After the scan, the lab will create what is known as a “surgical guide,” which is a custom appliance designed to direct the implant into place with optimal precision.
- Oral Sedation to Soothe Anxiety – Once it’s time to install the dental implant, you will be given oral sedation to help you relax. You will also be given a numbing agent. This will keep you from feeling discomfort during the surgery. You can expect to be awake during the procedure.
- Optimal Placement – Dr. Leedy will place the implant with the help of the CT Scan, Digital Scan, and surgical guide from earlier in the process. After the implant is placed, you will be given a temporary replacement tooth to cover the empty space while you heal.
- Advanced Healing – During the healing process, Dr. Leedy will check in with you and make sure everything is healing correctly. About three months later, he will then be able to attach the permanent crown onto the dental implant.
Schedule a Tooth Replacement in Cary, NC
When you decide you want to get a dental implant, you can’t afford to skimp on quality. Our dental implants in Cary, NC are made to last a lifetime, so you don’t have to worry about complications in the future.
We also take care of your overall health with advanced dental services that are designed to make healing faster and more efficient. Contact us today to schedule an appointment so we can take care of your smile.