Restorative Dental Implants in Birmingham, AL
Tooth loss, whether caused by oral injury, periodontitis, or another reason, can affect your ability to eat, speak, and confidently smile. The good news is, there’s a long-term solution! Dental implants are a permanent and reliable way to replace missing teeth. Here at Koch Aesthetic Dentistry in Birmingham, AL, Dr. Paul Koch, a skilled restorative dentist and dental implant surgeon, offers personalized implant treatments that solve the problem of missing teeth (which are designed to not be removed).
Take back control of your smile and schedule a consultation with Dr. Koch today to learn more about how dental implants can restore your oral health and self-esteem.
Dental Implant Procedure
Our dental implant procedure begins with a comprehensive consultation. Dr. Koch will assess your unique situation using the latest technology to create a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. Here’s a breakdown of the implant process:
- Smile Consultation: During your initial appointment, we’ll discuss your concerns and goals and develop a customized plan for achieving your desired outcome.
- Implant Placement: Following your treatment plan, the implants will be strategically placed to ensure optimal functionality and aesthetics.
- Temporary Bridge: Next, you’ll be fitted with a temporary bridge while the implants integrate with your jawbone.
- Healing & Crown Placement: After a healing period, we’ll create and place a prosthesis that looks and feels natural.
Ask Us About Implant Retained Dentures
At Koch Aesthetic Dentistry, we understand the desire for a complete smile restoration achieved quickly and effectively. We offer complete arch dental implants, a cutting-edge solution that replaces all upper or lower teeth with implants.
While this procedure offers a faster path to a new smile, it’s important to understand that replacing all teeth at once involves a surgical procedure. We prioritize your comfort throughout the process and use advanced technology like CT scans and optical scans for precise pre-planning. This allows for same-day tooth removal and implant placement, minimizing the time you spend without teeth.
To learn more, schedule a consultation today. We’re here to answer all your questions!
Dental Implant FAQs
Dental implants, while the preferred choice for tooth replacement, require a large investment of time and care. Our team at Koch Aesthetic Dentistry understands the importance of replacement teeth and wants to help you when considering this treatment option. Review our questions below, and contact our office with further questions or concerns.
What is a dental implant?
A dental implant, or tooth implant, is a small titanium screw that is surgically inserted into the jaw bone and acts as the “root” of the replacement tooth. As the implant heals, it fuses into the jaw bone to secure the tooth into place, much like how the root of a natural tooth integrates with the jaw bone.
A dental crown is then attached to the upper surface, or abutment, of the dental implant (in the case of a single tooth). When replacing multiple teeth, Dr. Koch can use a single tooth, a denture, partial denture, or bridge that attaches to the implants and holds them securely.
What are implant-supported dentures?
Implant-supported dentures, also known as all-on-4 or all-on-6, require the same procedure as single denture implants. With these, however, Dr. Koch uses a titanium-supported denture that secures into the implant posts. This procedure offers patients tremendous benefits when they are missing multiple teeth or require extensive restorative procedures.
Are there various types of dental implants?
Yes, there are several types, the most common being all-on-4 or all-on-6 implant-supported dentures. Here at Koch Aesthetic Dentistry, we also offer:
- TeethXpress™
- Implant-Supported Bridges
- Single-Tooth Dental Implants
What are the benefits of dental implants?
Dental implants benefits for tooth replacement and restoration, including:
- The look and feel that is similar to natural teeth due to the integration into the jaw bone
- Reduction of alteration to neighboring teeth, improving long-term oral health
- Prevention of tooth migration and bone loss
- The crown and implant do not decay
How do dental implants work?
Dental implant placement is a meticulous procedure, typically taking around 1.5-2 hours per implant. Recovery time varies, with most patients experiencing soreness and discomfort for 2 days and gum tissue healing within 7-10 days, followed by suture removal.
Here’s an overview of what to expect from the process:
- Implant Placement: Dr. Koch carefully creates a small opening in the gum tissue to access the underlying bone. A small implant post is then placed within the bone to act as the tooth’s artificial root.
- Healing and Osseointegration: Over the next few months, the jawbone fuses with the implant in a process called osseointegration. This creates a strong and stable foundation for the artificial tooth.
- Abutment and Crown Placement: Once healing is complete, Dr. Koch attaches a small connector piece called an abutment to the implant. Finally, a custom-made crown is securely fastened to the abutment, restoring the full function and appearance of a natural tooth.
Who is a good candidate for dental implants?
If you’re experiencing any of the following, you would be an ideal candidate for dental implants:
- Those missing one or more teeth
- Those with adequate bone in their jaw to secure the implant
- Those with good overall oral health
- Those without bone growth inhibiting conditions
- Those who cannot or do not wish to wear dentures
- Those who wish to improve their smile
Contact Koch Aesthetic Dentistry for Dental Implants
Dental implants may be the best option if you’re ready to improve your smile permanently. Dr. Koch and his team recommend dental implants to patients experiencing extensive tooth loss, as this treatment prevents further damage and bone deterioration, ensuring you maintain your oral health and experience a beautiful smile. To schedule a smile analysis, contact our implant dentist in Birmingham, AL, by requesting an appointment online or giving us a call
