Cary Dental Implants
Dental implants can be an ideal solution to replacing damaged or missing teeth. They can restore not only the functionality of teeth but can provide a great new look as well. Dental implants are a standard cosmetic dental option offered at Charles Ashley Mann, DDS & Associates.
Also, for this innovative procedure, we use platelet-rich fibrin. This natural substance is a platelet concentrate obtained from your blood. It contains growth factors that stimulate regeneration, helping speed up the healing process during your implant procedure.
People tend to assume that the gap left behind after losing a permanent adult tooth can remain empty. The reality is that an exposed tooth socket faces the risk of infection, can cause teeth to shift out of alignment, and can cause other issues. With a dental implant, we can help patients avoid those oral health problems. We have the tools and skills necessary to provide patients with a customized dental implant to meet their specific needs.
Dental implants can also help prevent the facial structure from changing by providing the functionality needed to perform the same actions before the original tooth was damaged. Supplementing them with a dental crown can also ensure that the dental implant looks perfectly natural along with your other teeth. With the use of CEREC® technology, we can craft and place your new crown in just one visit.
If you are looking for a sturdy, lasting, and discreet replacement tooth, then call us at our Cary office to learn more about our dental implant procedures today.
We will examine your mouth and jawbone to determine if the procedure is right for you. Before we begin the process, your gums need to be healthy, and your jawbone needs to be strong. If we identify any cavities or signs of gum disease, we will need to treat it before the dental implant procedure.
Once cleared for the procedure, we will take an impression of your mouth to create your new tooth in a dental lab. Each synthetic tooth will match your surrounding teeth’s size and shape, along with having a perfect color match. This way, your smile will appear completely natural once we complete the procedure.
The next step in the procedure is to implant a metal post under the gum line. The metal post is secured to the jawbone to create a durable, synthetic root system that rivals your natural roots’ strength. The metal post and jawbone will fuse throughout a couple of months, creating a durability level unmatched in other procedures.
Afterward, we will secure the new synthetic tooth to the metal post at your gum’s surface. Your new tooth is attached so securely that you’ll be able to eat your favorite foods, maintain an active lifestyle, play sports, and more, without fear of your tooth becoming loose or falling out. With the use of CEREC® technology, we can craft and place your new crown in just one visit.
- I need to replace two missing teeth next to each other. Can I have one implant placed and attach it to one of my natural teeth and make a bridge?
Generally, this is not a good idea. We find that it is generally much better not to attach implants to teeth. We frequently attach implants to each other, which can improve strength and work well. So in a case like this, although it may be more expensive in the short term to place two implants instead of one, the long-term success is likely to be much better with the two implants.
- I've had dentures for several years and have lost a lot of my jawbone. My lower dentures are floaters, and I need help, is there still hope for me?
As in most cases, with the new options available today in dental implants, some form of treatment is possible. We encourage people to get help as soon as possible if they are already having some problems with their current situation. These problems include excessive use of denture adhesives, chewing only soft food, unable to taste some foods, constant mouth sores, unhappy with the appearance of one’s teeth, and bite position (in some cases, the nose and chin getting closer together). The sooner we correct the problems with dental implants, the more choices one has available for treatment. If you have any or all of the above symptoms, implants can very well be the answer for you.
- I am missing all of my teeth and am now wearing a full upper and lower denture. I can no longer tolerate my lowers. Will I need an implant for every tooth I am replacing on the lower jaw?
It is not necessary to have an implant for every tooth being replaced. The number of implants required to provide support depends on the type of implants used and the type of teeth (removable vs. non-removable) attached to the implants. A thorough oral exam and panoramic x-ray are necessary in most cases to determine which implant can and should be used. Sometimes, additional x-rays or CT scans are needed in more complicated cases.
- I consulted a dentist several years ago about using implants to replace my lower denture. He told me that I did not have adequate bone available to place enough implants without the danger of fracturing my now fragile jawbone. Are there any alternatives?
Because of the advances in the field of implantology, there are now more choices and techniques. It is rare for a person not to be able to receive an implant or a combination of implants. Today we have many available types of implants designed to accommodate multiple problems.
- I had a root canal on a tooth that fractured, and now it has to be removed. Can it be replaced with an implant, or do I have to have a bridge or a partial?
Teeth with root canals can fracture more quickly than others because they are weaker and somewhat dehydrated. They can sometimes be as brittle as glass. In the past, the best available treatment was to remove the tooth and file down the adjacent teeth to make a bridge – caps on the adjacent teeth with an attached “dummy” tooth in between. Sometimes this still is the only way. However, in many cases, an implant can replace the fractured tooth, and there will be no need to grind down a tooth.
