Dental Implants

Replacing Missing Or Damaged Teeth In Louisiana

Missing teeth not only affect your ability to chew, talk and feel confident in your smile, but they also put you at more risk for gum disease, gum recession, bone loss and more. Patients with missing or severely damaged teeth may consider dental implants. Eddleman Dental can help restore your quality of life and help you feel good about your smile again with dental implants.

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What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are artificial tooth roots that are surgically implanted into the jawbone to provide a stable foundation for replacement teeth. These replacement teeth can be individual crowns, bridges or even dentures. The implants are made of titanium, a material that will fuse with the surrounding bone.

Benefits Of Dental Implants

There are many advantages of implants in patients with missing teeth. Some benefits include:

Improved Stability And Functionality

Dental implants provide a stable and secure foundation for replacement teeth, allowing for improved biting, chewing and speaking functions.

Natural Appearance

Your implants will look, feel and function just like your natural teeth. The crowns or bridges placed on the implants can be customized to match the color, shape and size of your existing teeth, providing a natural and aesthetically pleasing appearance.

Preservation Of Jawbone

When a tooth is lost, the jawbone in that area may start to deteriorate over time. Implants stimulate the bone through chewing forces, helping to preserve the jawbone and prevent further bone loss.

Durability

These implants are a long-lasting solution. With the right care, your implants can last for a lifetime, making them a worthwhile investment.

Convenience and Comfort

Unlike removable dentures, implants eliminate the need for adhesives and the discomfort associated with removable appliances. They become a permanent part of your mouth, allowing for greater comfort and convenience.

Preservation of Nearby Teeth

Dental implants do not require the alteration or removal of adjacent healthy teeth for support. This helps preserve the natural tooth structure of the neighboring teeth.

Enhanced Oral Health

Your implants support your overall oral health by preventing the shifting of neighboring teeth and making it easier to clean your teeth.

Types of Dental Implants

Different types of prostheses require a different number of implants. Typically, each prosthetic tooth attaches to its own implant. Types of implants include:

Crown (Single prosthesis): Replaces one missing tooth
Fixed bridge (Complete dental prosthesis): Replaces two or more teeth
Complete prosthesis (Removable or fixed): Replaces all the teeth in the upper or lower jaw

The Dental Implant Procedure At Eddleman Dental: What To Expect

This multi-stage process can take several months to complete, depending on the type of implant and additional factors such as the condition of your jaw bone. Though this can seem daunting at first, we believe that the results, including the restoration of your quality of life, are worth it.

Here is an overview of what you can generally expect from your procedure:

Initial Consultation

During the first appointment, Dr. Eddleman will evaluate your oral health, take X-rays and discuss your medical history to determine if you are a suitable candidate for dental implants and create a treatment plan.

Tooth Extraction

Existing teeth to be replaced are extracted before the implant can be placed. In some cases, the implant can be placed immediately after extraction.

Bone Grafting

A bone graft can help ensure a solid base for your implant. If your jawbone lacks the necessary thickness or density to support an implant, a bone graft may be required.

Implant Placement

A hole is drilled into the jawbone and the titanium implant is placed. The implant will resemble a small screw and serve as the artificial root for the prosthetic tooth. After placement, the implant will fuse with the surrounding bone during a required healing period.

Abutment Placement

An abutment is attached to the implant, which serves as the foundation for the replacement tooth.

Crown Creation And Placement

Dr. Eddleman will take dental impressions of your tooth to create a custom-made crown. This crown, which is attached to the abutment, is the visible part of the implant and looks and functions like a natural tooth.

Recovering From Your Dental Implant Procedure

After each stage of surgery, patients can expect some pain, minor bleeding, swelling and bruising. Recovery time can vary, and our team will provide you with detailed postoperative care instructions. Discomfort can be managed with over-the-counter pain medication as needed. Additionally, patients should eat soft foods as they heal.

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Comprehensive Dental Care You Can Trust

Your Smile, Our Passion

Our friendly, welcoming team at Eddleman Dental is proud to offer a near-zero wait time with high-quality results using our advanced technology. We treat patients of all ages, and we love getting to know our patients and treating them like family.

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