Are you missing one or more teeth? Dr. Greg Reece provides dental implants in Charlotte, NC to replace missing teeth!
Replace the gaps in your smile with a dental implants specialist in Charlotte today. Dr. Greg Reece is a highly-trained restorative dentist in Charlotte, NC. He provides all types of dental implants as a restorative dentistry option for patients with a single tooth missing. Dr. Reece can also replace many of your lost teeth.
Our affordable dental implants can repair tooth loss, and replace old bad-fitting dentures. We can even replace dental bridges that don’t look their best anymore. You can get a brand new natural-looking tooth that seamlessly fits into your smile with this tooth replacement procedure.
If you’ve lost one or more teeth, then dental implants would be the seemingly-obvious choice for replacing them. Implants bear the closest resemblance to your natural teeth roots. Best of all, they’re ideal for a large percentage of semi- and completely edentulous patients.
But you should not rush to any dental treatment before getting to know it. Before you get dental implants, ask our dentist questions regarding your candidacy and what you may have to undergo.
Dental Implants May Be the Best Option
The reason implants are so popular isn’t because they’re a relatively new treatment. They do something that no other dental prosthetic can. They replace the lost teeth roots that were in your jawbone.
After you lose a tooth, that area of your jawbone receives fewer nutrients since there is nothing there to stimulate it. With an implant post in place, your replacement tooth or teeth will be able to once again stimulate your jawbone. Thus helping to preserve your smile’s health, beauty, and integrity for years to come.
The Ideal Candidate for Dental Implants
If you are missing one tooth, a whole arch of teeth, or all of your teeth, then you may be an ideal candidate for dental implants. Implants can treat tooth loss that is a result of injury, decay, neglect, or other causes.
Dr. Reece will first check to see if you are in good oral health (although he can help you if you are not). This includes having enough healthy bone to place the implants. It also involves being free of any dental diseases such as gum disease and tooth decay.
You must have good overall health too. Dental implant treatment involves surgical procedures that can put your health at risk. Especially if you are not healthy enough to undergo them.
Once you complete your dental implant treatment, it is vital that you remain in good oral health. You must commit to caring for your teeth and gums daily, and visiting your dentist regularly.
Having realistic expectations is also important. While modern dental technology makes dental implant-supported restorations look realistic, they are still not natural teeth. They may feel different at first, and it may take time for you get accustom to them.
Also, please understand the process takes longer than other tooth replacement options. Healing-time alone can take 3 to 6 months.
Is your Jawbone Healthy Enough?
Before our dentist can place an implant, the jawbone must be strong and dense enough to accept the implant and heal around it. If you lost a tooth several years ago, your jawbone already lost a significant amount of density. You likely lost that tooth because of severe gum disease.
You Might Need Gum Disease Treatment First
Speaking of gum disease, a dental implant, and any tooth replacement option, is likely to fail if you get gum disease. Also known as periodontitis, severe gum disease erodes the tissues and jawbone structure that support your teeth. This makes gum disease the leading cause of adult tooth loss. It can also cause your dental prosthetic to fail if you allow it to continue affecting your mouths’ support system.
Before and after dental implant treatment in Charlotte, NC.
Dental Implants at Dentistry of the Queen City
Replacing missing teeth with dental implants provides many benefits for your long-term dental health. Our dental implants specialist has the dental care expertise you need for a successful procedure. Implant dentistry can:
- Improve speech
- Provide no risk of slippage
- Prevent facial sagging
- Protect natural teeth
- Improve your quality of life
- Reduce the risk of gum disease
- Provide durability
- Improve chewing ability
In addition, replacing your missing teeth can prevent dental problems down the road. A missing tooth can cause more issues to surrounding teeth with time. When patients visit us for a dental exam, we see many issues from the minor to the more complex, such as:
- Tooth decay
- Overcrowding
- Shifting teeth
- Misaligned bite
- Receding gums
- Periodontal disease
- Bone loss in your jaw
Treatment with Dental Implants in Charlotte, NC
We can replace one tooth with a single dental implant or several teeth with multiple dental implants in Charlotte for a long-lasting, permanent, and secure result. Dr. Reece will check your teeth and gums prior to treatment. After a thorough exam, he will answer any treatment questions you may have and will review your budget and goals with you.
He may also recommend other restorative treatment plans depending on your individual needs. For example, dental implants can secure dental bridges and dentures. Bridges and dentures are for patients who are missing multiple consecutive teeth or whole arches of teeth. We may enlist an oral surgeon if you require more extensive dental work, such as a jaw bone graft.
Dental implants consist of a titanium post, abutment, and dental crown that are custom-fit to each patient. The process spans several months. Dr. Reece will begin by surgically inserting the titanium post into the space that your lost tooth left behind. We will need to let the post fuse to your bone tissue over a healing period of three-to-six months.
The healing process is necessary after dental implant surgeries. However, it can take a shorter amount of time if you are in good health. After this period of healing, we will attach the abutment and custom dental crown to the post.
The crown is custom to your smile, meaning that it will look like your existing teeth. Patients report beautiful results after implant placement. You will have an improved bite pattern, and an even smile. Whether you need one or multiple affordable dental implants, we will work with you each step of the way.
All-on-Four Dental Implants
All-on-Four is a dental implant technique that allows Dr. Reece to replace a whole arch of teeth using only four dental implants. He can apply this method to the top or bottom arch of teeth. Unlike a conventional implant treatment, the All-on-Four technique does not require as much bone density. This allows dentists to use less implants, two in the front of the mouth and two positioned towards the back.
How Do All-on-Four Dental Implants Work?
With only four implants, placement is key. Dr. Reece will place two dental implants vertically in the jaw bone towards the front of the mouth. Then, he will place two implants towards the back of the mouth on each side of the arch.
However, he will insert them in the bone at about a 45 degree angle. This allows the implants to miss less dense areas of bone in the jaw and enter into the anterior maxilla. This area of the jaw has higher bone density. By utilizing the areas of the jaw with greater bone density, Dr. Reece can use less dental implants.
What are the Benefits of All-on-Four Dental Implants?
Using this method to replace a whole arch of missing teeth has several benefits. Patients with bone loss can still have their teeth replaced with dental implants. Since your dentist will use less dental implants, the cost of treatment is lower than conventional dental implant treatment.
Also, healing time and overall treatment time is faster. In the end, you will still enjoy all the benefits that come with dental implants. To learn more about the benefits of our dental implants, visit Benefits of dental implants.
Dental Implant FAQs
How long before dental implants begin to feel normal?
Dental implants typically take a couple of weeks to feel completely normal. They may be painful and swollen for up to 2 weeks post-surgery. After the pain and swelling goes away, you can begin to transition into a normal diet, and your implants should begin to feel normal.
Do gums grow around implants?
Yes, they will grow during the healing process after implant surgery. However, gums can recede around dental implants over time. Recession with dental implants can look strange sometimes. Most of the time, implants do not cause extreme gum recession issues to the point where it changes the look of your gums.
How many teeth can I replace with dental implants?
Dental implants can replace a single tooth, multiple teeth, or an entire arch. For multiple missing teeth, individual implants or implant-supported bridges can be used. In cases of full arch restoration, procedures like All-on-4 use four to six implants to support a full set of teeth.
Do dental implants stain?
Dental implants themselves do not stain because they are made of materials like porcelain or zirconia that resist discoloration. However, the surrounding gum tissue and natural teeth can stain if not properly cared for. Regular cleanings and good oral hygiene help maintain their appearance.
Is there an age limit for dental implants?
There is no upper age limit for dental implants as long as the patient has good overall health and adequate bone density. However, we may not recommend implants for younger patients with developing jawbones. Your dentist will evaluate your health and bone structure to determine eligibility.
Does food get under dental implants?
Yes, dental implants can trap food, but it doesn’t happen often. We will instruct patients to avoid eating specific foods and drinks. Dental implants are more likely to trap extremely chewy foods or foods that are hard to bite.
To read more of our answers to your dental implant questions, visit Dental Implants FAQs.
Schedule a Dental Implant Consultation Today
Fill the gaps left by missing teeth as soon as possible with our dental implant procedures. Get treatment for your missing teeth with our Charlotte dental implant options today. Call Dentistry of the Queen City in Mallard Creek at 704-486-8911 or request an appointment online. Dr. Greg Reece and our team in our Charlotte dental office will be happy to help you receive the smile of your dreams.