Fill the Gap in Your Smile
Dental Implants Kansas City
Tooth loss can keep you from enjoying your favorite foods and affect the way you feel about your smile. Fortunately, dental implants are available to Kansas City patients who are struggling with one or more missing teeth. These artificial replacements - titanium posts on which dental restorations are affixed - are meant to look and function naturally; our skilled dentist can tailor the prosthetics to blend brilliantly with your overall smile characteristics.
Types of Dental Implants
John P. Goodman, D.D.S. will help determine the most appropriate restorative dentistry treatment for you based on the amount of space to be filled, the portion of remaining bone in the treatment area, and your individual input.
The types of dental implants include:
- Single Tooth Replacement
- Implant Supported Bridges
- Implant Supported Dentures
Placing Dental Implants
The procedure for placing dental implants is more involved than other restorative treatments, and is handled carefully by our Kansas City dentist. Of course, the process varies slightly depending on the type of implant restoration elected. It basically consists of the following three stages:
Step 1: Oral Surgery
The purpose of oral surgery is to insert the titanium post into the jawbone, which will serve as the tooth root substitute. Dr. Goodman will need to make an incision in the area of the gums with the missing tooth. Once the jawbone is exposed, the dentist will use a drill to make the holes to accommodate the dental implant, which will then be inserted. Any incisions may be closed with stitches. For the comfort of the patient, this procedure is performed under anesthesia.
Step 2: Osseointegration
Osseointegration refers to a healing process that may take 3 to 6 months. During this phase, the jaw bone and surrounding gums must fuse to the inserted titanium post. Temporary restorations, such as bridges or dentures, may be needed to assist you through this time, depending on the extent of the case.
Step 3: Implant Restoration
Once the bone has successfully bonded to the implant, it will be time to place your customized prosthetic tooth at our office! Dr. Goodman will first need to make an incision in the gum to expose the implant. Then, he will secure the tooth replacement to the metal connector.
Learn More about Dental Implants
If you are ready to discuss a viable solution for tooth loss, please contact our Kansas City dental office. Dr. Cohen would be happy to evaluate whether dental implants are a good fit for your smile. Patients in Kansas City, Missouri and Kansas may be pleased to learn that this treatment may be combined with many cosmetic dentistry options as well.
