Dental Implants in Dalton
Dr. Frank Patterson and Dr. Weston Hughes place and restore dental implants at our general and cosmetic dentistry practice located in Dalton, Georgia.
What is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is a small metal cylinder that is inserted into the jaw to replace a tooth root. Dental implants are medically safe; they are designed to promote jaw bone growth around them as they heal to hold them firmly in place. The dental implant serves as a foundation for missing tooth replacement. After the dental implant is placed, our dentists will design other components to make it look like your natural teeth.
Dental Implant Restoration Options include:
Dental Implant Crown
A single missing tooth can be replaced with an implant and a dental crown. The dentist works with the dental laboratory to create a crown to match the shade and shape of your natural teeth. To fit the crown to the implant, our dentists also design a custom abutment, so the crown and implant fit snugly together.
Dental Implant Bridge
If you are missing multiple teeth in the same area, it may be possible to replace these teeth with one or more dental implants combined with a dental bridge. The implants serve as the ‘anchors’ for the bridge and are placed at the locations in the jaw that provide the best support.
An implant bridge is designed by the dentist and produced by our dental laboratory with the necessary abutments to fit; the bridge may be made of porcelain or a combination of porcelain and precious metals.
Full Mouth Dental Implants
When most or all of the teeth are missing in the upper or lower dental arch, it is possible to place multiple implants to restore the full arch to look and function like natural teeth. Generally, four or more implants are placed to attach to a bridge that covers a full dental arch. This is sometimes the preferred approach to a traditional denture that can become loose over time.
Implant-Retained Dentures
Patients that wear dentures get tired of the hassles of loose dentures, and no matter how much they try, the denture adhesive creams just never seem to work. It is possible to design dentures that snap onto two or more dental implants in an arch. The implant attachments help to hold the denture in place, which can dramatically boost smile confidence. Our denture patients often tell us how much they enjoy being able to eat foods like crunchy apples and bread again after they update their smile with implant dentures.
Dental CBCT Scan Technology
Our dentists rely on diagnostic CBCT (Cone beam computed tomography) imaging to assist them in the planning and placement of dental implants. These 3-dimensional x-rays provide the dentist with the tools to evaluate jaw bone health and pinpoint the locations that are best suited for dental implant placement and healing.
Teeth in a Day
We are often asked if dental implant procedures can be completed in a single visit, especially when a patient is missing a front tooth or all of their teeth. Some implant cases can be completed in one appointment, while others may require healing time to allow the implant(s) to fully integrate with the jaw. You can rest assured that we will make sure you are able to continue smiling and eating properly throughout your dental implant treatment.
Your local Dalton Dental Implant Team
Are you looking for an implant dentist near you? Our dentists provide full service dental implant placement and restorative care in our Dalton dental office. Please Contact Patterson & Hughes Family Dentistry to get started on improving your dental health with dental implants.