Implant Dentistry in Sun City West, AZ

The thought of dental implants might not make you smile, but in the long run, they might improve it. People today live longer and lead more active lifestyles. Sometimes, your teeth can’t keep up. Even with regular brushing, flossing and dental checkups, your teeth might need some extra help. If you have lost any teeth, dental implants can improve both your oral health and smile.

What is a dental implant?

An implant is a post-shaped artificial tooth root surgically placed into the jawbone. The “root," is usually made of titanium, which is the same metal used for hip and knee replacements. The metal root works best when paired with human bone.

There are two tooth replacement options: Attached or Removable. The attached replacement tooth has a more natural look and stable feel.

The ideal candidate for implant dentistry is a non-smoker with good oral health. Additionally, the individual must have enough bone in the jaw and free of gum disease.

For more information about dental implants, please contact our Sun City West, AZ practice. We will gladly help schedule a consultation with Dr. Harmon, DMD. We are here to help you achieve the full smile you want.

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Single or Multiple Tooth Implants

Why choose tooth implants? Simply put, teeth implants can improve your smile. If you are missing a single tooth, one dental implant and replacement tooth can correct the gap left in your smile. Are you missing a row of teeth? We can place a few implants to support a permanent dental bridge (a set of replacement teeth). Even if you have lost all your teeth, a full bridge or full denture supported by dental implants can make your smile look new again.

Advantages of Implants Over Dentures or Dental Bridges

Though conventional dental bridges and dentures are good options, dental implants are the best choice. Conventional tooth bridges and dentures are not attached to bone and can become unstable. They must rely on other teeth for support, which can cause additional damage. Dental implants give you and your mouth confidence. Implants can act and feel like real teeth, which will allow you stronger biting force. In addition to their physical benefits, implants will also last longer than other tooth replacement options.

Post-Treatment Care for Dental Implants

After treatment with our Sun City West dental implants dentist, your replacement teeth must be treated as if they were natural teeth. The better you care for your new smile, the longer it will last.

Dental Implant Services

Our Suprise, AZ, area dental implant services include:

• Sinus Lift Augmentation: If you lose your upper back teeth, your sinuses might become enlarged. This often prevents dental implants in the upper back areas of your mouth; however, a sinus lift augmentation/graft might help. During this procedure, we can surgically repair the sinus positioning and replace any bone loss due to enlargement. After the procedure, a patient must wait for nine to 12 months before completing a dental implant procedure.

• Autogenous Bone Grafting: When attempting to place a dental implant, your mouth might not have sufficient bone quantity in the area where the implant will be placed. To complete the procedure, it might be necessary to take bone from other areas of your mouth and graft the bone into the deficient area. The most frequent locations from which bone is borrowed are the chin or the back of the jaw where your wisdom teeth were located.

• Implant Site Development: When a tooth is infected and removed, bone from around the infected tooth is commonly lost. If this occurs, various bone grafting procedures might be done when the tooth is removed to facilitate further procedures in the future.

• Computer-Enhanced Treatment Planning: Our computers are equipped with unique software that shows CT scans three-dimensionally, which allows our staff to provide a better assessment. With this 3D CT technology, we will better understand your mouth’s bone quality, bone quantity and bone location for optimal dental implant placement. With this information, we can offer the best results for your dental implants.

• Dental Implant Maintenance: Just like your natural teeth, your dental implants must be maintained if they are to remain healthy. Daily cleaning, including brushing and flossing, is necessary, but just like your natural teeth, it is important to visit your Sun City West dentist for regular cleanings and exams. Speak with your dentist to decide how frequently you should visit for cleanings and professional maintenance.