Dental Implants for Lasting Smile Restoration

A Better Smile That Will Last a Lifetime

If you’ve lost one or more of your natural teeth, replacing them is essential for protecting your oral health, restoring your smile, and getting back to your normal routine. With dental implants from Edwards Family Dental, you can restore your smile for the long run and avoid the drawbacks of alternative tooth replacements like dental bridges and full or partial dentures.  

How Do Dental Implants Work?

Dental implants are small, screw-shaped pieces of titanium. Each implant is surgically inserted into the gum and jawbone where you’ve lost a tooth. Titanium is used for dental implants because it has the unique ability to heal (osseointegrate) and bond with your body’s bone tissue.

Once the implant heals, Dr. Timothy Edwards can place a crown on top of it to replace a single tooth. Multiple implants can also be used to support a dental bridge to replace several teeth, or a set of implant-supported dentures to replace a full mouth of missing teeth.

Understanding The Benefits of Implant Dentistry

30+ year lifespan

Alternative treatments like dentures and bridges usually last only 5-10 years before requiring replacement. In contrast, dental implants have a typical lifespan of at least 20-30 years. And with proper care, some patients are able to keep them for the rest of their lives.

Cost-effective investment  

While dental implants typically have a higher up-front cost than bridges or dentures, they're often more cost-effective in the long run. Dental implants do not require frequent repair or replacement, so you may even save money in the long run.

Natural look and feel

When designing your implant restorations, Dr. Edwards also uses the latest techniques and materials to create a truly, natural, lifelike smile. And because each implant is anchored securely to your natural bone and gum tissue, your new teeth will never shift or move when you chew, eat, speak, or smile.

Protects your jawbone

Natural teeth transmit the force of biting and chewing directly into your jawbone, which stimulates it and keeps it strong. Once you lose a tooth, this no longer happens. Even if you replace your tooth with a bridge or partial denture, this lack of stimulation causes the remaining bone to weaken in a process called “bone resorption.”

But because dental implants are placed into your jaw and gum tissue, they stimulate it just like a natural tooth would. This prevents bone loss, ensuring your jawbone remains strong and your face never develops a “sunken” appearance, which is a common side effect of bone resorption.

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Full-Mouth Restoration with Implant-Supported Dentures

Enhanced Stability and Better Oral Health

If you’re tired of struggling with inconvenient, uncomfortable, or worn-out dentures in Dublin, there’s a better way! Dr. Timothy Edwards specializes in implant dentistry, including implant-supported dentures. With a new set of teeth from Edwards Family Dental, you can enjoy a more natural smile, enhanced stability when chewing and speaking, and tons of other benefits.  

How Implant-Supported Dentures Work

First, you’ll get a series of 4-6 dental implants in the upper, lower, or both jaws. These are very small, screw-shaped pieces of titanium metal that bond to your jawbone and gum tissue as they heal.

Then, Dr. Edwards will design a set of fixed or removable implant-supported dentures. These will snap directly onto your dental implants. In turn, these hold the dentures tightly in place. Compared to traditional dentures that are held in place with friction and denture adhesive, implant-supported dentures are much less likely to slip or move.

The Benefits of Implant-Supported Dentures

• Strong and stable – Compared to traditional dentures, implant-supported dentures are much less likely to move around when you chew, eat, and talk. You can eat your favorite foods and speak with confidence.  

• Natural look and feel – While designing your implant-supported dentures, Dr. Edwards uses advanced technology and the latest materials to create a beautiful, realistic smile. Nobody will be able to tell that your teeth aren’t real!

• Enhanced comfort – As their fit changes and they wear out, traditional dentures often cause “hot spots” or sores on your gums. This is much less common with implant-supported dentures since they snap onto implants instead of resting completely on your gums.

• Long-lasting results – Traditional dentures usually last somewhere between 5-10 years. Implant-supported dentures last much longer, often between 10-20 years depending on the type of denture you choose.

Answering Your FAQs About Implant Dentistry

What if my jawbone isn’t healthy enough for an implant?

If you’re older, you suffer from a condition like osteoporosis, or you’ve been missing a tooth for two years or longer, the underlying bone may be too weak to get an implant right away. But that doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t get dental implants!

Bone grafting is a great option for many patients with a weakened jawbone. This procedure involves creating an opening in the gums and jawbone and packing bone granules into the area. Over time, healthy bone tissue heals around these granules, strengthening the bone sufficiently for a dental implant.

Does it hurt to get dental implants?

You won’t feel any pain or discomfort during surgery. Dr. Edwards will numb your mouth, and we also offer nitrous oxide to help you relax and feel more comfortable. Some discomfort is expected as your mouth heals, but you can follow the instructions provided to you by the Edwards Family Dental team to make sure you recover quickly.

Are dental implants really worth it?

Yes. While the process is long and they aren’t cheap, investing in dental implants is worth every penny. Your new smile will look amazing, feel natural, and could last a lifetime with proper care. We even offer payment plans like CareCredit at our office. Ask our team about your financing options during your visit!