Dr. Drew Shulman can give you back a smile that looks and feels like your natural teeth with dental implants! They are a popular treatment option for people who want to permanently replace their missing teeth. Dr. Shulman has the advanced training and experience necessary to replace your missing teeth. He offers all types of teeth implants including single tooth implants, mini implants and All-On-Four.
Dr. Shulman also offers sedation dentistry to ensure your comfort during each stage of the process. He is one of a few Philadelphia area dentists who completed the required certification and licensing to offer conscious sedation. He is also an active member of the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation (DOCS).
Dr. Drew Shulman’s dental office offers many types of dental implants for patients missing one, multiple, or all their teeth. Continue reading for more information on what exactly are dental implants.
What are Dental Implants?
A dental implant is a metal post that will support a dental restoration. Dental implants can replace one or several of your teeth. Dr. Shulman can also use dental implants to permanently place a dental bridge or dentures. For example, he can replace your old dentures that slip with modern implant-supported dentures.
For example, an implant-supported denture can replace arches of missing teeth, or sets of lost teeth. An implant-supported bridge can replace consecutive missing teeth.
Conventional dental implants consist of a titanium post which our dental implant specialist or oral surgeon places into the jaw. A typical dental implant restoration consists of 3 parts; the implant post, the abutment, and a dental restoration or prosthetic.
The Dental Implant Post/Body
The phrase “dental implant” actually refers to the metal post that the dentist will insert into the jaw. Conventional dental implants consist of a titanium post. This type of metal can fuse with human bone without the body reacting to the object. The fusing process, or osseointegration, is the process by which the bone cells attach themselves to the titanium post.
This cylinder-shaped post resembles a screw and will act as the missing teeth’s root system. They are the only teeth replacement option that replaces the tooth root, preventing jawbone loss in the process.
The Abutment
The abutment will connect the implant to the dental restoration after healing is complete. It can take six months for the post to heal and fuse with the jaw bone.
After that, Dr. Shulman will uncover the implant and attach the abutment to it. This small metal piece will screw onto the implant and sit at the gum line. This part will support the dental prosthesis.
The Dental Restoration or Prosthetic
The last part of the dental implant restoration is the actual dental prosthetic. The type that you will need depends on how many teeth you are missing and their former location. For example, the prosthetic tooth will be a dental crown if you are replacing a single missing tooth. Our dentist will use dental cement or a screw to secure the dental crown to the abutment.
Dr. Shulman will use a dental bridge or denture when replacing many missing teeth, or a full mouth of missing teeth. You have the choice of snapping them onto the abutments, or having our dentist permanently screw them in place.
Dental implant-supported restorations are the next best option to having natural teeth. With over a 95% success rate, It’s easy to see why they have become so popular. Dental implants can restore a stable and comfortable smile that will look and feel completely natural. The offer a permanent solution for tooth loss and will help improve your oral health.
Our Northeast Philadelphia implant treatment services include a comprehensive consultation so that you know exactly what you are getting.
Why Should You Replace Your Missing Teeth?
If you do not fill the gap left by a missing tooth soon enough, several problems may occur. These problems can include the following:
- Crooked teeth
- Shifting teeth
- Bone loss
- TMJ disorders
- Difficulty eating
- Speech issues
- Bite misalignment
- Facial sagging
Dental implants provide a solid foundation for new teeth and can resolve oral health and aesthetic problems that may already occur. A full set of teeth can prevent these problems and future oral health difficulties from ever happening. Dental implants provide many more benefits to patients, such as the following:
- Look and feel like a natural tooth
- Provide long lasting results
- Prevent bone loss
- Are easy to maintain
This treatment option is safe for adjacent natural teeth too! Natural teeth may shift and crowd into the spaces left by missing teeth. Tooth crowding can make it difficult to clean teeth and may result in plaque buildup. Dental implants can solve this issue and more.
To learn more about the benefits of getting a dental implant, see Benefits of dental implants.
Treatment with Affordable Dental Implants from Dr. Drew Shulman
Dr. Drew Shulman will conduct a complete exam before inserting a dental implant. He does this to make sure that your bone tissue is strong enough for the dental implant or implants. He will also discuss your budget and goals with you before treatment. Dr. Shulman will also determine whether conventional or mini dental implants are the right choice for you.
A dental implant treatment requires several visits over several months. During the first visit, our dentist will evaluate your teeth for candidacy, and plan the surgery. He may recommend other treatments, like a bone graft, to make sure that your dental implant procedure is successful.
Next comes the dental implant surgery. The periodontist or oral and maxillofacial surgeon surgically places the titanium implant post into your jawbone. The surgical procedure takes about 30 minutes.
After a healing period of 3 to 6 months, Dr. shulman will place an abutment and crown on the implant post. To learn more details about our procedure to place a dental implant, see Dental implants process.
Mini dental implants are also a great option for patients who can’t get conventional dental implants. These patients may have weak bone tissue or insufficient bone density. Ranging from 1.8 to 3.3 mm in diameter, mini implants are smaller than regular implants. Unlike the three piece structure, a mini implant is a two piece structure which our dentist can install in one visit.
How Do I Maintain My Dental Implants?
Dental implants require the same care as natural teeth. Brush and floss your teeth and implants daily. We suggest that you also schedule regular dental checkups and professional cleanings to keep your long-term oral health on track.
The gum tissues surrounding implants can still become infected. With proper care, your dental implants should last a lifetime.
Schedule A Dental Implant Consultation
Do you often find yourself hiding your smile because of gaps between your natural teeth? Choose dental implants for a permanent and natural looking solution for missing teeth. Our dentist can use dental implants in a variety of ways to restore your smile. Even if you are missing single tooth or a whole arch of teeth because of periodontal disease.
Schedule a consultation to learn more about replacing your missing single tooth or teeth today. Call Dr. Shulman for the best local dental implant services at (855) 832-4034. You will receive professional and comprehensive dental care in our Northeast Philadelphia implant dentistry.
To learn more about the dental implant services at our Philadelphia dental office, see: