Replacing Missing Teeth
Gentle Care.
Clear Communication.
Outstanding Results.
Replacing Missing Teeth
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Everyone wants their smile to be as healthy, functional, and esthetically pleasing as possible. When teeth are missing, it can impact your smile, bite, speech, and chewing ability. Besides the gap in the smile, there are other risk factors to consider when teeth are missing, including:
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ï‚·When teeth are not present, the gums and jawbone dissolve. This rarely affects the other teeth but can have cosmetic and functional consequences as more bone is lost in the space.
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Missing spaces means more pressure is placed on the remaining teeth. This can lead to more wear, looseness, or fracture of other teeth.
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ï‚·Teeth shift when there are missing spaces so the smile and bite can be altered as teeth rearrange around the missing tooth.
There are several options to replace missing teeth including partial dentures, bridges, and dental implants. Of the three, dental implants are the only option that help prevent these missing tooth problems. Dr. Setter and his team will gather information to help strategize the best solution for your missing teeth.
Dental Implants
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Dental implants are designed to provide a foundation for replacement teeth that look, feel, and function like natural teeth. Patients with dental implants regain the ability to eat virtually anything and can smile with confidence, knowing that the teeth appear natural and that facial contours are preserved. The dental implants themselves are small biocompatible titanium “roots” that are placed into the area where teeth are missing. The patient’s bone bonds with the titanium, creating a strong foundation. In addition, implants can help preserve facial structure, preventing the bone deterioration and facial collapse which occurs when teeth are missing. When teeth are lost, the jawbone degenerates. Nature follows a “use it or lose it” phenomenon. Where implants have been properly placed and maintained, the bone tends to be preserved since it is still being used. Dental implants are changing the way people live! With them, people are rediscovering the comfort and confidence to eat, speak, laugh, and enjoy life. Dr. Setter has extensive training and experience in Dental Implant Surgery, including completion of the Misch International Implant Institute and attaining Fellowship status in the International Congress of Oral Implantology. He includes the most up-to-date technology and techniques in all of his treatment so that your treatment achieves outstanding results using minimally invasive procedures.
Dental Implant Evaluation
If, like many others, you feel implant dentistry is the choice for you, we ask that you contact our office for a tooth replacement consultation where we will review and explain your existing conditions and present all treatment options that meet or exceed your standard of dental care. Depending on your specific needs, Dr. Setter will help create a treatment plan tailored to meet and exceed them. Your questions and concerns are important to us, and our team will work with you very closely to help make your outcome a success.
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Benefits of Dental Implants
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Multiple studies have found that dental implants have the highest rate of the long-term success of any dental restorative procedure. They are often the least expensive long-term treatment option for tooth replacement.ï‚·
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They can be used to replace one or more missing teeth without grinding down the adjacent natural teeth.
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Dental implants look, feel, and function like a natural tooth.
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Dental implants do not decay (develop cavities) and never need root canals.
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They are more hygienic (easier to clean) than a tooth-supported bridge or denture.
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Patients with dental implants have a renewed confidence in their smile and self-esteem.
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They improve or restore chewing, speech, and digestion.
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Facial tissues are preserved by preventing degradation of the jawbone.
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Dental implants can be used to support a bridge or denture, making them more secure and comfortable.
Advanced Dental Implant Treatment and Technology
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At Setter Periodontics and Dental Implants, our goal is to always have the best treatments and technology available to optimize care and patient outcomes. Dr. Setter completed an advanced surgical residency in periodontology and dental implants, limiting his practice solely to the surgical preservation and replacement of teeth. Dr. Setter has also completed hundreds of hours of advanced continuing education to ensure he is always up to date in the field of dental implantology. While many can advertise to be implant dentists, very few can achieve board certification and fellowship status within dental implantology, both of which Dr. Setter has maintained for over 10 years. In our office, our state-of-the-art equipment helps diagnose and treat conditions faster and more efficiently than ever before while making your time in the office a comfortable experience. To achieve optimal dental implant success, we utilize 3-D CT imaging, CADCAM digital modeling, and a custom 3-D printed surgical guide in our treatment process. In addition, all of your impressions will be goop-free by using our digital intraoral scanner! Learn more about the advanced technology in our office here.
Dental Implant and Grafting Procedures
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Dental implants act as tooth root replacements which are placed into the jawbone. Some patients may have been told in the past that they don't have enough bone for successful dental implants. Dr. Setter uses the most current technology and procedures such as sinus grafting and ridge augmentation which can help correct this problem by naturally and predictably replacing lost bone and gums. Because of the protocol we use, most patients surprisingly report little to no discomfort during and after the procedure. For many patients, dental implants can be placed in just one visit. In the first step, implants are placed within your jawbone under local anesthesia, the same feeling as when you get a filling or crown. Most patients have very little discomfort following the procedure, many stating it’s as easy as (or easier than) getting a filling. For the first three to twelve weeks following this step, the implants are gradually bonding with the jawbone. You should be able to function normally with some type of temporary replacement during this time. After the implant has bonded to the jawbone, the second phase begins. At this time, your restorative dentist designs the final tooth replacement, which will ultimately improve both function and esthetics. An impression (mold) must be taken to match the replacement tooth to your existing dentition. Then, a small connector can be placed to anchor the new tooth (crown) to the implant. The entire procedure usually takes two to four months and most patients do not experience any disruption in their daily lives. Dental implants can replace a single tooth, several teeth, or an entire bite. They can also be used to anchor dentures and partials to improve their fit, stability, and function. Implants are designed to be long-term tooth replacements, lasting longer and more predictably than other tooth replacement options.
The best way to determine your ideal tooth replacement strategy is to contact our office today to schedule your comprehensive, no-obligation examination. Simply call us at 503-222-9961 or contact us using our convenient online form. We look forward to helping you have a happier, healthier smile!
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Learn more about dental implants from the American Academy of Periodontology.
To make an appointment, please call our office at 503-222-9961 or e-mail us at
frontdesk@setterperio.com. We look forward to the opportunity to meet you!