WHAT ARE DENTAL IMPLANTS? Your smile is a reflection of your personality, vitality and confidence. A dental tooth implant is an artificial titanium tooth root that replaces a lost tooth or teeth. They are an ideal replacement for a single tooth, a bridge, or to secure a denture. Dental teeth implants are an ideal option for people in good general oral health who have lost a tooth or teeth due to periodontal disease, an injury, or some other reason. While high-tech in nature, dental teeth implants are actually more tooth-saving than traditional bridgework, since implants do not rely on neighboring teeth for support. WHAT DENTAL IMPLANTS LOOK LIKE Dental implants are so natural-looking and feeling, you may forget you ever lost a tooth. You know that your confidence about your teeth affects how you feel about yourself, both personally and professionally. Perhaps you hide your smile because of spaces from missing teeth. Maybe your dentures don’t feel secure. Perhaps you have difficulty chewing. If you are missing one or more teeth and would like to smile, speak and eat again with comfort and confidence, there is good news! Dental tooth implants are teeth that can look and feel just like your own! Under proper conditions, such as placement by Dr. Frank Caffaratti and diligent patient maintenance, implants can last a lifetime. Long-term studies continue to show improving success rates for implants. Implants are highly successful and offer a great way to both enhance the appearance of your teeth and to preserve the health of your entire mouth. Having missing teeth is commonly a source of embarrassment, but with implants, no one has to know you were missing a tooth. And best of all you might just forget about it yourself because implants look and feel so natural. Implants securely hold teeth in place without affecting neighboring teeth or weakening them. • They hold bridges in place so you do not have to wear a removable partial. • They support dentures and partials, making them feel more natural and secure. • Implants do not feel unnatural; they feel and function like your own teeth After a thorough examination, Dr. Caffaratti can tell you whether you’re a candidate for dental implants. The primary consideration is that implants require adequate bone structure for placement. HOW DENTAL IMPLANTS WORK Once assessment has been made that implants are a viable option for you, here’s what is involved: • During oral surgery titanium implants will be placed where your natural teeth once existed. The new implants may anchor a crown, bridge or a denture. Nature will take its course post-surgery, allowing your bone to fuse or integrate with the titanium implants creating a solid foundation. • Once the implants are integrated, your permanent crown, bridge or denture will be attached to each implant. These restorations will be customized to match your natural teeth, as they are intended to blend seamlessly with your smile. By imitating an entire natural tooth from the root up, dental implants offer a prosthetic that closely mimics nature. Restored function leads to restored chewing ability, improved speech, enhanced appearance and a boost to your confidence that leads to renewed quality of life. We also offer a full range of General and Cosmetic Dentistry Services: Tooth-Colored Fillings Professional Cleanings Dental Sealants Periodontal Treatment Permanent Bridges Full and Partial Dentures Root Canal Therapy Teeth Whitening Bonding Porcelain Veneers Contact our Sparks, Nevada Dental Office of Dr. Caffaratti to schedule your consultation with our friendly and knowledgeable team of smile experts.