Dental Implants

Tooth loss can be disabling and handicapping. Dental implants are the permanent solution to missing teeth and are becoming the more favorable choice over traditional dentures. Dental implants look and feel more natural than dentures and can be used to replace one or many missing teeth. Unlike dentures, dental implants will never need to be removed for cleaning and can make eating and speaking much more comfortable.
Implants are more expensive than dentures but they come with greater benefits such as the fact that they are actually stronger than natural teeth and usually last from 10 to 20 years. They are the preferred choice for some patients because they do not depend on neighboring teeth for anchoring. Implants do require healthy gums and adequate jaw bone. According to Webmd.com, dental implants have a 98% success rate when the patient is committed to excellent oral hygiene and regular dental visits.
The first step is developing an individualized treatment plan. Next, a small titanium post is inserted into the jawbone at the site of the missing tooth. As the jaw heals and envelopes the post it becomes more securely anchored. The healing process can vary but is on average about 12 weeks. Once the implant is bonded to the jawbone, the small connector post, called an abutment, is attached to tightly hold the new tooth. The new tooth is based on an impression made of your teeth with similar bite and color. This new tooth is then attached to the abutment. Contact Scenic Drive Dental at 636-479-5324 to see if you are a candidate for dental implants and to discuss payment options for such a procedure.

Mini Implants

Mini Dental Implants have gained in popularity in just the last few years. Mini implants are a good option for those who are not ideal candidates for traditional dental implants. Patients who do not have adequate bone in which to anchor the traditional implants, such as long-time denture wearers, and those who are not in ideal health may be better suited for a mini dental implant.
The placement procedure for these smaller implants is very different from traditional implants. Dr. Schmieder, a trained mini dental implant dentist, can have the mini implants placed and loaded in a one-day appointment. This minimally invasive and less expensive procedure requires significantly less healing time. Dr. Schmieder is not an oral surgeon or periodontist but a doctor of medical dentistry.
Contact Scenic Drive Dental to see if you are a candidate for mini dental implants.