Dental Implants at Moorehead Dentistry

Dental implants have become many dentists’ go-to procedure for replacing missing teeth. Dental implant surgery replaces tooth roots with metal, screwlike posts and replaces damaged or missing teeth with artificial teeth that look and function much like real ones. Moorehead Dentistry offers implants as a great alternative to dentures when a lack of natural teeth roots doesn’t allow building dentures or bridgework tooth replacements.

Are Dental Implants Safe?

Like any type of surgery, there are a few risks to getting dental implant surgery. However, the problems that come with dental implant surgery are rare, typically minor, and very treatable. Risks include: 

• Sinus problems, when dental implants placed in the upper jaw protrude into one of your sinus cavities
• Injury or damage to surrounding structures, such as other teeth or blood vessels
• Nerve damage, which can cause pain, numbness, or tingling in your natural teeth, gums, lips, or chin
• Infection at the implant site

The advantages of using dental implants. 

Dental implants are one of the most reliable dental procedures with a 95% success. They also offer advantages that other missing teeth solutions do not, such as:

• Appearance – Implants look and feel like your natural teeth.
• Speech – No need to worry about slipping dentures or loose bridges that can cause slurred speech.
• Comfort – Implants are permanent and stable, so no chaffing or discomfort will happen like with dentures.
• Oral health – Implant placement does not require modifying surrounding teeth as a bridge does. Also, implants stop bone deterioration and stimulate healthy bone tissue growth.

Dental Implant Procedure

When considering having a dental implant procedure, a patient will typically go through the following steps: 

1. First, the patient will go through a thorough exam and consultation with the dentist. The dentist will then make an individualized treatment plan. 
2. At the next appointment, the team will place your implant, which acts as a substitute tooth root. 
3. Then, the tooth is given time (about 2-3 months) to heal and integrate with the bone tissue. 
4. Once the implant has bonded to the bone tissue, a small connector called an abutment is attached to the implant.
5. Impressions are taken of your teeth to create either a custom crown to replace one tooth or an implant-supported bridge or denture for multiple missing teeth. Crown restorations are custom-tinted, so they blend in beautifully with your natural teeth.
6. The finished crown, bridge, or denture is attached to the implant(s).

Once you get the finished implant, your new teeth are ready to use! If you have any questions or concerns, please contact one of our three offices. We want your implants to look and feel like real teeth and your smile to look its best!

Overcoming Dental Anxiety: A Comfortable Visit to Moorehead Dentistry

As we age, we often realize that things we disliked as children were actually for our own benefit. Whether it’s developing a taste for vegetables or appreciating an early bedtime, our perspectives evolve. However, one thing that rarely becomes a favorite is a visit to the dentist’s office. Even if dental visits don’t terrify you, the anticipation can be nerve-wracking for many. Approximately 15% of Americans avoid the dentist due to dental anxiety, leading to potential issues for their oral health. At Moorehead Dentistry, we acknowledge the apprehension associated with dental visits and are dedicated to ensuring your experience is as comfortable as possible with sedation dentistry.

Making Your Visit Painless

We understand that the fear of discomfort during a dental procedure can be a significant concern. Our commitment to your comfort involves leveraging the advancements in modern medicine to make most procedures relatively painless. Local anesthesia is a common method we use to manage pain, but for those with anxiety, sedation can transform your dental visit into a breeze.

Controlling Dental Pain: Methods Explained

Dentists employ three primary methods to manage patients’ pain and stress during procedures:

1. Local Anesthesia:
   • Numbs the immediate area being worked on.
   • Applied with a swab or syringe directly to the skin or muscle.
2. General Anesthesia:
   • Renders the patient unconscious for the duration of the procedure.
3. Sedative Medication:
   • Calms the patient with different levels of sedation.
   • Administered through a needle or catheter into a vein.

Advantages of Sedation

Sedative medications, when combined with local anesthesia, offer a painless and emotionally comfortable experience. Patients under sedation are semi-conscious, able to respond to verbal commands, and don’t require as close monitoring as with general anesthesia. Additionally, many sedatives leave patients with no memory of the procedure, alleviating concerns about traumatic memories.

Oral sedatives, taken by mouth, help calm nerves without rendering the patient unconscious. At Moorehead Dentistry, we tailor our sedation methods to meet the individual needs of each patient.

Your Comfort Is Our Priority

While a dental visit may never be your favorite activity, Moorehead Dentistry goes the extra mile, offering sedation and other techniques to ensure your visit is as comfortable as possible. If you have questions or specific concerns about any procedure, please don’t hesitate to contact one of our three office locations. We’re here to ease your anxiety and make your dental experience positive.

 Learn More About Sedation Dentistry