Would you like to replace your missing teeth but worry that dentures won’t look natural or won’t offer the secure, stable bite needed to enjoy all the foods you love? This is a legitimate concern. You want to be able to laugh, smile, and feel confident.
Our dentists in Madison, AL, recommend dental implants for patients in the area who need to replace missing teeth. A dental implant is the only tooth replacement that replicates the entire structure of a natural tooth from root to crown. It is simply the closest prosthetic to a natural tooth available today. We think you’ll be pleased.
Dental implants are versatile, too; a single implant replaces your tooth, but a few strategically placed dental implants can restore your entire smile.
In fact, dental implants restore the health, function, and appearance of your smile after tooth extraction or other types of tooth loss.
If you would like to schedule a dental implant exam, contact a member of our dental staff to get started. And continue reading to learn more about our dental implants in Madison, AL.
The process starts with an appointment with our dental implant dentist in Madison, AL. Our implant dentist is highly skilled in replacing missing teeth with dental implants at our dental office. We will take x-rays to determine the bone density of your jaw and whether any pretreatments may be in order before implant placement. Your dentist will discuss all findings with you.
Next, we take impressions of your teeth to prepare a 3-D surgical guide. Using a custom surgical guide ensures precision placement of the dental implant in your jawbone, resulting in its long-term success. And we always make sure your gum is entirely numb before placing your implant or implants.
Implant placement is not especially uncomfortable; many patients compare it to far less invasive treatments. You may notice minor soreness for a few days, but your dentist or physician can recommend an over-the-counter pain reliever.
The next step is the healing process, where bone and implant fuse together, ranging from four to six months to complete.
After your implant heals and integrates, we will have you return to our dental office to attach a connector piece called an abutment. The final step is to secure a crown, bridge, or full or partial denture to the abutment. You’ll have a functioning replacement root in your jaw topped off with a beautiful dental restoration that completes your smile and allows you to chew with the tooth again.
If you’re missing all your teeth but resist the idea of dentures, you’ll be pleased to know that implants offer a secure alternative to removable dentures. With this option, you don’t have to worry about relines or adhesives to lock your denture in place, and you don’t have to consider a single implant for every missing tooth. Typically, it takes two to six dental implant posts to support a full prosthetic of replacement teeth.
With implant-supported dentures, you’ll be able to enjoy meals, smile confidently, and enjoy your time.
Please let us know if you are interested in this option to replace multiple missing teeth. You might also consider implant-supported bridges or partials for sporadic tooth loss.
We can arrange a consultation to learn whether implant-supported dentures in Madison are right for you. Your dentist can also talk to you about all tooth-replacement options so that you can make an informed decision about your smile's health.
A dental implant and a dental bridge are both fixed prosthetics that give you a full smile. They restore your ability to smile comfortably and enjoy meals, but there are differences between these two options.
A dental implant relies on a titanium implant root to secure a replacement tooth or prosthetic to your jaw. This may help prevent bone loss in the jaw by stimulating the bone. A dental implant is considered a permanent tooth replacement option. Dental implants do not require special cleanings or added steps for maintenance.
A dental bridge is a prosthetic tooth or teeth situated between tooth crowns. The tooth crowns go over healthy teeth on either side of the smile gap to allow the prosthetic teeth to fill the gap. A dental bridge requires a floss threader and a small brush for cleaning.
During your consultation, your dentist can discuss all tooth replacement options with you so that you can make the best choice for your lifestyle, smile goals, and budget.
The best ways to prevent tooth loss are to visit your dentist at least twice per year for dental exams and teeth cleanings.
Your preventive exam catches emerging problems that can threaten your teeth and gums. Your professional teeth cleaning gets rid of the bacteria and tartar that can lead to cavities, gum disease, and dental infections, which can all lead to tooth loss.
Brushing and flossing regularly—at least twice per day—is also crucial to your tooth and gum health and the integrity of your dental implant. But you should be spending at least two to three minutes on brushing, making sure to brush all tooth surfaces.
If you participate in contact or ball-oriented sports, it’s essential to wear a mouthguard to prevent injuries. If you’re a grinder and clencher, ask your dentist about a night guard to prevent wear on your teeth and future cavities or fractures.
Between dental checkups, if you notice any oral health changes like bleeding gums, a sore that does not heal, or tooth sensitivity, we encourage you to reach out to our dental team to schedule an appointment.
Absolutely! And your dentist in Madison, AL, offers a variety of cosmetic dentistry options, including full smile reconstructions in our dental office.
Some of our cosmetic dentistry options include:
Full mouth reconstruction considers the health and aesthetics of your teeth and gums. It is like a smile do-over. Your dentist repairs old cavities, restores broken teeth, hides tooth flaws, and so much more. There are so many possibilities and so many combinations of therapies!
If you would like to talk to us about replacing missing teeth with dental implants in Madison, AL, call us to schedule an appointment. If you’ve been told in the past that you don’t have enough bone in your jaw for an implant, you may be a candidate for a bone grafting procedure that will allow you to get an implant in the future.
Call West Madison Dental, and we will be happy to help you arrange a convenient appointment to get started.
Your dentists near Huntsville, AL, proudly serve patients in Madison, Athens, Decatur, Harvest, and the surrounding communities.
With their natural form and feel, implants are the gold standard for restoring functionality, aesthetics, and self-confidence after tooth loss.
Dr. Andrew Henninger is a graduate of the University of Alabama School of Dentistry. He grew up in a small town in Tennessee before attending the University of Alabama in Huntsville in 2002. While at UAH he earned his B.S. in Electrical Engineering and played on the UAH men's soccer team (his favorite soccer team to cheer for is Manchester United). After undergrad, he began his first career as an engineer and worked eight years on various contacts supporting the Army and Missile Defense Agency.
Are you missing one or multiple teeth? Dental implants in Madison, AL can restore your entire tooth right down to the root. Dr. Henninger places implants directly into the jawbone in a painless procedure, creating implants that look, feel, and act like natural teeth.
This helps preserve the natural look of your smile and the integrity of your mouth by preventing teeth from shifting out of their position.
Dental implants are made of three parts: the implant, abutment, and dental crown. During the procedure, your implant dentist will place it in the jawbone, and we allow it to heal and fuse.
During the implant surgery, we replace the root of the missing tooth with tiny, biocompatible posts that we can attach the artificial tooth to. The artificial tooth, or dental crown, looks and feels just like a natural tooth, and allows patients to eat their favorite foods again.
The process is fairly simple; it takes several months to heal fully, so it can seem lengthy, but it's worth it! It's important to let the jawbone heal tightly around the dental implant to assimilate it as if it were a natural tooth.
Once the titanium dental implants have healed and integrated with the jawbone, we can place the abutment, which allows us to screw in the dental crown. The dental crown is the visible portion of the dental implant and can be replaced if necessary.
Your Madison, AL dentists are always happy to explain procedures to patients and determine if a dental implant is right for you. To learn more, please feel free to contact our office.
If you suffer from tooth loss, dental implants may be a viable treatment option for you. Dental implants are a more durable and permanent alternative to dentures, bridges, and partials. Dental implants are made from titanium and replace damaged tooth roots. These implants provide a sturdy support system for prosthetic teeth, and the prosthetic teeth fit into the implant to create a natural-looking smile.
To be considered for the dental implant procedure, a patient must be in good overall health. Ideal candidates have healthy gum tissue and sufficient jawbone density to ensure the implant remains stable and supported. However, just because you may suffer from bone loss doesn’t necessarily mean your dentist will not consider you for the surgery.
Advances in bone reconstruction procedures can provide patients who suffer from bone loss with the opportunity to have dental implants. Bone grafting is one procedure that can prepare patients for the benefits of dental implants. Not only do dental implants restore your smile, but they also stimulate bone growth and help prevent bone loss.
Some lifestyle factors may interfere with dental implant surgery. Smoking, drinking alcohol, or chronic conditions such as diabetes can inhibit the post-surgical healing process. At West Madison Dental in Madison, AL, we will assess your individual needs and help you determine which restorative procedure is right for you.
To learn more about dental implants or schedule a consultation with one of our dentists, please call us at (256) 724-3530.
A dental implant procedure typically takes several months to complete, but patients should always consider the payoff. Dental implants are not like other tooth replacement options. They are almost like a smile do-over—replacing both your root and your lost tooth permanently.
After your dentist in Madison, AL approves you for implants, we schedule your implant surgery. On this day, we numb the treatment area and surgically implant your new tooth root. Over a period of months, this root integrates to bone and becomes a permanent part of your oral anatomy. When integration is final, your dentist caps your implant with a tooth crown.
If you have many missing teeth, ask your dentist about implant-supported dentures and other prosthetic options. Usually, we can secure a prosthetic with only a few dental implant roots.
Your new implant requires the same maintenance as your natural teeth—brush, floss, visit the dentist on schedule for checkups, and have your teeth professionally cleaned.
It all starts with a consultation in our dental office. If you’re ready to talk to the dentist about restoring your smile, reach out to a member of our helpful staff to get started.
Tooth loss doesn’t just impact your appearance—it also affects the health of your jawbone. Without stimulation from tooth roots, the jawbone begins to shrink, potentially altering your facial structure and risking the health of neighboring teeth. Dental implants are the only tooth replacement option that actively works to prevent ...
When patients present with missing teeth, we always recommend tooth replacement. A complete smile enhances your self-esteem and contributes to better oral health.
If you’ve been thinking about tooth replacement, you’ve probably investigated dentures and dental implants. So let’s explore how these options work and how they compare.
Dental implants in Madison, AL are an excellent choice for tooth replacement. And they are the option most recommended by dentists for several reasons.
First, dental implants are total anatomy replacements, restoring your root and crown. This gives them a uniquely natural look and function. Next, they don’t require additional upkeep ...
CBCT (Cone Beam Computed Tomography) 3-D x-rays are a powerful diagnostic tool that provides detailed, three-dimensional images of the teeth, jaw, nerves, and surrounding bone. Unlike traditional 2-D x-rays, CBCT captures a full 360-degree view, offering unmatched precision and clarity.
CBCT is used for a variety of purposes, including planning dental implants, evaluating jaw joint (TMJ) issues, assessing bone structure and density, locating the exact position of teeth and roots, and diagnosing complex problems that can’t be seen with regular x-rays. This technology is especially helpful for root canal therapy, oral surgery, orthodontics, and detecting cysts or tumors.
CBCT scans are quick, comfortable, and emit only low-dose radiation. With this advanced imaging, we can make more accurate diagnoses and treatment plans, leading to safer, more predictable results and better long-term patient outcomes.
Had another great experience at West Madison Dental. Fairly new to this practice. Been impressed with the entire staff, all of whom have exhibited competence, kindness, care and concern for my dental needs. My family and I made the switch to this provider on a recommendation from a friend. Pleased we followed through on that recommendation. Keep up the great work.
-Kenneth
