Dental Implants in Washington MO
James G. Mace DDS can help transform your smile if you have one or more missing teeth. At James G. Mace DDS, we offer dental implants in Washington, MO, to help patients improve their overall oral health and appearance.
What is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is an innovative tool that Dr. Mace uses at his office in Washington, MO to transform the appearance of a patient’s smile who is missing one or more teeth. A dental implant has three main components: the implant, the abutment, and the crown. The implant is a titanium metal post that fuses with the bone over a few months. This post is strong enough to withstand the force of chewing. Next is the abutment, which connects the titanium post to the crown. Dr. Mace can use different attachments depending on the number of teeth you are missing. For example, if you miss one tooth, he may recommend a dental crown. Dr. Mace may recommend a dental bridge or denture if you are missing multiple teeth.
How is a Dental Implant Placed?
To place a dental implant, Dr. Mace will first schedule a consultation appointment with you. In this appointment, you will discuss your oral health and goals for your oral health. Next, Dr. Mace will take a 3-D scan of your mouth to begin virtually planning the placement of the implant. The next step is oral surgery. Dr. Mace will give you local anesthetic and make sure you are comfortable. Dr. Mace will usually take 3-D scans at various steps during the surgery to ensure the implant is ideally placed. For some cases, Dr. Mace will use his 3-D printer and planning software to create a surgical guide for precise positioning of the implant. After a few months of healing (a process called Osseointegration, during which the implant surface fuses to the bone), Dr. Mace will begin the process of attaching the abutment to your replacement teeth!
How do I Care for My Dental Implants?
While dental implants do not develop decay like teeth, the tissues around the implants can become diseased. The best way to care for your dental implants is to keep them, and the tissues around them, very clean. Dr. Mace recommends brushing and flossing twice a day. It will help if you use a soft-bristle toothbrush with low-abrasive, fluoridated toothpaste. This mixture is strong enough to remove the plaque on your teeth and gums but not too strong where it will damage your teeth and gums. It is also important to floss around your dental implants twice a day to remove plaque that could damage the gums around your implant. For some patients and situations, a Water-Pik is very helpful as well.
We also recommend visiting James G. Mace DDS twice a year for a dental cleaning and exam. During the dental exam, Dr. Mace will examine the health of your gums around the implant and the implant structure itself. Dr. Mace and his team will also clean your teeth and remove any potential plaque or tartar that you cannot remove at home with a toothbrush and toothpaste. With good oral care, your dental implants should last a lifetime.
What are All-on-4’s?
Patients who have a failing dentition or who have dentures can regain their life and smile with an All-On-4 approach. All-on-4’s are a specialized procedure/approach that Dr. Mace performs in the office to give his patients a fixed arch of teeth that look and feel very natural, and are supported by 4 or more implants. An All-on-4 procedure allows you to have a beautiful smile you love with the comfort and ease of dental implants. If you are missing multiple teeth or have dentures you aren’t happy with, give Dr. Mace’s office a call today to schedule a free consultation!
Dental implants can improve your smile’s appearance, restore your facial profile, and give you the ability to chew properly, restoring your quality of life. For more information about dental implants or to schedule an appointment to discuss options with Dr. Mace, call our office today.
