Dental Implants | 3 | Uptown Dental Associates | Albuquerque, NM

Dental Implants May Be The Answer

July 25, 2018
Dental Implants

Dental implants are revolutionizing the process of replacing missing teeth. At Uptown Dental Associates in Albuquerque, NM, we’ve helped many, many people to once again eat all the foods they love and to smile confidently.

Demystifying Dental Implants

A dental implant is a small metal screw, usually made of titanium, that is inserted into the bone where a tooth is missing. The bone grows around and bonds to the screw through a process known as osseointegration. The result is a replacement tooth root that can accommodate a single tooth replacement (a dental crown), a dental bridge, or a full arch of dentures.

Dental implants are the strongest, most secure, and most powerful tooth replacement option. Implant-supported or implant-retained dentures return up to 90 percent of your biting and chewing power. That figure dwarfs the 25 percent power of traditional dentures. You can chew normally and enjoy the full taste of your food again!

Dental implants and restorations look, feel, and function just like your natural teeth!

But beyond that, implants have another important function – they transfer the pressure of chewing to the underlying bone. That pressure stimulates the bone and helps keep it strong and healthy. When a tooth is lost, the bone is no longer stimulated and it begins to slowly deteriorate. The loss can cause you to look older than you are.

Dental implants are very durable; with proper care, the implant itself should last the rest of your life. The restorations – crown, bridge, or denture – do wear over time and will likely need to be replaced. However, it’s fairly common for restorations to last for 10 years or even longer.

Are Dental Implants Right For You?

Most people who are missing teeth or need to replace damaged teeth can get implants. There are a number of factors to consider, but the crucial one is the thickness and strength of the bone that will anchor the implant.

That’s not something you can measure, but Dr. Ryan Shepherd of Uptown Dental Associates in Albuquerque, NM can use our in-house digital X-rays to carefully assess your bone as well as the condition of your remaining teeth. If some or all of the remaining teeth need to be extracted, it may be possible to place your implants on the same day. This is a time- and money-saving option.

One Patient’s Story

Ray O. is an implant patient who consulted Dr. Shepherd because he was having trouble with an implant done by another dentist. Here’s what he said about his experience.

“I was having trouble with an implant that somebody else had put in and I was already somewhat unhappy with my then dentist. When he said he didn’t want to have anything to do with it and I tried to find a couple of other people who would do some work on it or whatever, it didn’t work, but Dr. Shepherd said he would be happy to have a look at it and indeed fixed the problems. I thought, ‘This is probably somebody quite special.’ I’ve never regretted it since.

Smile With Confidence And Eat With Gusto!

You don’t have to live with missing teeth, or with dentures that slip and slide. To find out whether dental implants are the right option for you, schedule a consultation with Uptown Dental Associates in Albuquerque, NM. Call our dental practice at (505) 219-4548.