Dental Implants & Restorative Dentistry
At Plaza Dental Center in Saint Louis, MO, our Oral Surgeons provide the latest in dental implants and restorative dentistry technology.
Dental implants are artificial tooth roots that serve as anchors for replacement teeth. When a patient is missing one or more teeth, dental implants are the most permanent (and often the most comfortable) solution.
Steps for Dental Implants
The first step in the dental implants process for our Saint Louis dental patients is a consultation with Oral Surgeons, during which all possible tooth replacement options will be discussed. To be a good candidate for dental implants, the dental patient must have sufficient bone in his or her jaw to support the implants. Once it is determined that the patient is a good candidate for dental implants, our Oral Surgeons will surgically implant the titanium screws that serve as anchors into the patient’s jaw. The next step in the dental implants process will occur two months later, after the titanium tooth roots have completely fused to the patient’s jaw bone. Once this has occurred, the patient can return to our Saint Louis restorative dentistry office where our Oral Surgeons will fit the custom-crafted replacement teeth onto the patient’s artificial tooth roots.
Dental Implants Preferred Over Dentures
Many of our Saint Louis area dental implant patients prefer permanent dental implants over traditional removable dentures for several reasons. Dental implants are nearly indistinguishable from a patient’s natural teeth, unlike dentures which look artificial. While traditional dentures need to be removed nightly for cleaning, dental implants are a permanent tooth loss solution that require no additional maintenance outside of a good oral hygiene routine. Dental implants also allow patients to feel more comfortable while speaking and eating because dental implants are permanently affixed to the patient’s jaw and won’t shift or slip as with traditional dentures.
Get Started Today
If you are interested in learning more about your tooth replacement options, especially dental implants, contact our Saint Louis office at (314) 361-1818 to schedule your restorative dentistry consultation with our Oral Surgeons today.