More and more patients are choosing dental implants as an alternative to dentures and bridges, and it’s easy to see why. With dental implants in Columbia, SC, our dentist can provide you the closest you’re going to get to natural teeth. These implants are surgically embedded in your jawbone, acting as artificial tooth roots that provide an incredibly secure foundation for dental crowns.
Other benefits of dental implants:
- Implants are more comfortable than dentures.
- With implants, you can eat, smile, and speak with confidence.
- Unlike removable dentures and bridges, dental implants prevent bone loss.
- Get teeth that look, feel, and function like the real thing.
- No messy adhesives and no food restrictions.
- No special cleaning required.
The Procedure
Restoring your mouth to full health and beauty has never been easier. At Total Dental Care, our Columbia, SC dentist Dr. Forbes begins with a discussion about your goals and preferences. He will perform a comprehensive examination of your mouth and jaw to determine whether you are a good candidate for implant placement. In most cases, patients who can undergo routine tooth extraction are also qualified for dental implant surgery.
Placing dental implant is a multi-step process. The implant is surgically embedded into your jawbone, and the area is allowed to heal completely. Once your bone and gums have healed, the abutment is attached to the implant. Finally, the custom crown is attached to the abutment.
Implant Dentures
Dr. Forbes also provides implant-supported dentures for patients missing all of their teeth. Unlike basic dentures that sit on the gums, implant dentures are anchored in place by small-diameter implants or mini implants. Dr. Forbes will determine the number of implants required to stabilize the denture. Under local anesthesia, a minimum of four mini implants are then placed at intervals along your gumline, and the upper or lower denture is snapped into place.
Mini Implants
Mini implants are smaller versions of dental implants. A mini dental implant is about the size of a wooden toothpick. Because of their size, MDIs can be placed in areas of thin bone to support a dental crown (single-tooth replacement), a bridge, or a set of dentures.
Total Dental Care will first perform a thorough evaluation of your teeth and gums to find out if mini implants are the best solution. He will then determine the number of mini implants needed (if you are replacing several missing teeth). A minimum of four to six implants is used to anchor a full set of upper or lower dentures.
Why Choose Mini Implants?
If you’ve been told that you need bone grafts to support regular dental implants, consider getting mini dental implants instead. Mini dental implants take advantage of your existing bone structure to secure crowns and prosthetic teeth. Mini dental implants are great for older adults, patients with low jawbone density, and those who are unable or don’t want to undergo complicated bone grafting.
Mini implants can be placed in just a single visit in our Columbia, SC office. The crown, bridge, or denture is also attached on the same day. Incisions are rarely required, so there are minimal swelling and bleeding. In fact, you can eat normally a few hours after mini implants are placed.
Other advantages:
- Quick and painless procedure
- No bone grafts necessary
- More affordable than regular dental implants
- Can last a long time with proper care and maintenance
All-on-4 And All-on-6 Dental Implants
With All-on-4 and All-on-6 dental implants, we take the best of both worlds from traditional dental implants and traditional dentures and combine them to make a beautiful, healthy smile. All-on-4 dental implants use four implants that are attached to a set of dentures or full-arch replacement teeth. All-on-6 dental implants are almost exactly the same thing, except there are six implants that are attached to a set of replacement teeth. For either All-on-4 or All-on-6, two of the implants are angled in the back of your mouth for maximum support.
Dr. Forbes is an active member of the South Carolina Dental Association, the American Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry, and the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. He also attends as many classes as he can to stay up to date with the most modern dental practices and technologies.
If you have lost teeth, you need to have them replaced in one way or another. The healthiest way to replace lost teeth is with dental implants. If you wish to have dental implants placed, make an appointment at our Columbia, SC office today by calling 803-272-4162 or use our easy-to-use online contact form. By calling us, you can learn more about implant dentistry and modern teeth replacement procedures. We can’t wait to see your new, healthy smile when you’ve received dental implants!
