Dental Implants Metarie
Missing teeth can be embarrassing, causing people to hide their smile and lose their self-esteem. The space that missing teeth create can easily become infected with bacteria, causing other teeth to shift out of place, and making it difficult for people to speak or eat correctly.
The team at Charvet Dental Center are sensitive to the hardship a missing tooth can create. We provide dental implants so that our patients can regain their self-confidence, improve their health, and approach life boldly.
The Process of Installing Implants
If one or more of your teeth fall out, you may qualify for dental implants as a way to permanently replace the missing teeth. In order to find out, schedule an appointment with our Metairie dentist office by calling 504-834-6504.
Dr. Charvet or Dr. Charvet Jr. will examine your mouth and jawbone to determine if the procedure is right for you. Before we begin the procedure, your gums need to be healthy, and your jawbone needs to be strong. If we identify any cavities or signs of gum disease, we will need to treat them prior to the dental implant procedure.
Once you are cleared for the procedure, the staff at Charvet Dental Center will take an impression of your mouth to create a new tooth in a dental lab. Each synthetic tooth will match the size and shape of the surrounding teeth, along with having a perfect color match.
This way your smile will appear completely natural once we complete the procedure. Many patients are satisfied with the results since no one can tell the difference between which teeth are real and which ones are synthetic.
The next step in the procedure is to implant a metal post under the gum line. This aspect of the procedure is what sets an implant apart from other forms of cosmetic dentistry. The metal post is secured to the jawbone to create a durable, synthetic root system that rivals the strength of natural roots, except that the metal cannot face infection. Over the course of a couple of months, the metal post and jawbone will fuse together. This creates a level of durability that cannot be replicated in other types of procedures.
Afterward, Dr. Charvet or Dr. Charvet Jr. will secure the new synthetic tooth to the metal post at the surface of the gums. The new tooth is attached so securely, that patients can eat their favorite foods, maintain an active lifestyle, play sports, and more, without fear of their tooth becoming loose or falling out. Patients can enjoy the benefits that come from never having to worry about their tooth again.
The team at Charvet Dental Center provides dental implants in a way that is comfortable and functional. We take the time to make sure that every aspect of the procedure is completed correctly - the first time.
Caring for Dental Implants
Once implants have been installed, they are extremely easy to care for. Throughout Metairie, we hear patients ask questions that range from "Do implants come out"?, to "How do I brush my teeth"?
Fortunately, the answers are not as complex as some people might believe. Since we install dental implants by creating a synthetic root system, they are durable and secure. The dental implants will not fall out or become loose. This means you can go play basketball, run in a 10k marathon, and wrestle with your kids - without worrying about your tooth coming out.
In order to care for your implants, we advise patients to brush and floss their teeth throughout the day like normal. Additionally, it is important to schedule dental exams and cleanings with Dr. Charvet or Dr. Charvet Jr. at least twice a year. The staff at Charvet Dental Center will help to clean your teeth and ensure that they stay healthy.
While dental implants cannot become infected themselves, the teeth around them can. If, in the future, you suffer from a severe case of gum disease or a dental abscess, the infection can spread into your jawbone. This puts your implants in jeopardy because, in order to stay secure, the jawbone must be in good health. If it becomes infected, your dental implants and all of your teeth will be in jeopardy.
If you currently have implants and your teeth start to hurt, call 504-834-6504 to schedule an appointment immediately. This way Dr. Charvet or Dr. Charvet Jr. can identify any infection and treat it before it can spread into the jawbone. As long as you follow these simple preventative care steps, your implants and natural teeth should remain in good health.
Facts From The American Academy of Implant Dentistry
- More than 30 million Americans are missing all their teeth in one or both jaws
- 15 million people in the U.S. have crown and bridge replacements for missing teeth
- 3 million have implants and that number is growing by 500,000 a year
- 10% of all U.S. dentists place implants but that is increasing
- The success rate of implants has been reported in scientific literature as 98%
- Implants performed by U.S. dentists 5,505,720 (2006)
- Implants performed by U.S. general dentists 3,103,930 (2006)
- The dental implant market in the U.S. is projected to reach $5 billion by 2018
From www.aaid.com.
Questions to Ask When Choosing an Implant Dentist
- What treatment options do you use to restore missing teeth?
- How many implant procedures have you performed?
- What's your success rate?
- What's your education and training in implant treatment?
- Which technique* and type of replacement teeth or appliance do you recommend for me, and why?
- What steps are involved in the process and where and by whom are they performed?
- What should I expect throughout the process in terms of pain, recovery time, eating, etc.?
- Will I have teeth throughout the process?
- What type of anesthesia do you use?
- What are the risks of the treatment option you're recommending?
- What are the benefits?
- Can you share before-and-after pictures of other patients you have treated?