Dental Implant and Aesthetic Specialists of Atlanta
Prosthodontic, Cosmetic, and Implant Dentistry located in Brookhaven, GA
Dental implants are a permanent solution to missing teeth. One or more missing teeth can cause bone loss and make it challenging for you to chew properly and speak clearly; but Brett Langston, DMD and the team at Dental Implant and Aesthetic Specialists of Atlanta in Brookhaven, Georgia, can improve the function of your bite, improve the aesthetics of your mouth, and give you a healthier smile with the help of implants. A dental implant procedure can restore a single tooth, a full mouth, and everything in between. To learn more about dental implants, call the office or request an appointment online.
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are replacement teeth that are permanently fixed in your mouth. Implants have three main parts: a titanium screw, a connector, and a crown.
The titanium screw acts as a replacement for a natural tooth root. It’s surgically implanted into your jawbone, and the bone grows around it to secure it in place.
The connector sits on top of the artificial root and connects it to the crown. Because Dental Implant and Aesthetic Specialists of Atlanta custom-develops every dental implant, the artificial tooth blends in with the color, size, and shape of your other teeth.
Dental implants work because your jawbone fuses to the implant and creates a solid base for the crown. The implants are secure, making chewing, talking, and smiling feel comfortable and natural.
What Types of Dental Implants Are There?
Dental implants are a very flexible option in restorative dentistry. They can be used to restore a single tooth, several teeth, or even a full mouth.
Replacing even one missing tooth improves your oral health and mouth function greatly. However, everyone is different, and Dr. Langston and his team will personalize your implant recommendations for your mouth.
Implants can be useful in supporting or strengthening other oral appliances like bridges, as well as partial and full dentures. For some patients, hybrid dentures, or full-mouth permanent dentures with dental implants, are a good option.
What Can I Expect When I get Dental Implants?
Getting a dental implant typically takes a few visits to the office, spread out over a number of months. Your first appointment includes a full oral exam, where Dr. Langston and the team take digital X-rays and discuss your treatment options. If you need a tooth extracted, they will coordinate with our onsite surgical team to have that tooth pulled. Most of the time, the surgical team can place the dental implant at the same time the tooth is extracted. However, sometimes the implant procedure will require another visit. The Oral Surgeon makes a small incision in your gum to reach your jawbone and drills a hole to insert the implant. After this appointment, you’ll need to wait for your bone and gums to heal before getting the crown attached.
Once you’ve healed, you return to Dr. Langston's office for your crown fitting. Depending on your treatment plan, you may get a single crown, an implant-supported bridge or dentures, or multiple crowns.