Austin Dentistry and Wellbeing. Austin Dental Blog.

There are many situations that can lead you to loosing teeth. As much your dentist and the whole dental team preach good oral hygiene, it is not always the only answer as there are many other reasons that cause various periodontal conditions. As a result tooth extraction is quite common due to poor dental health and gum disease. Leaving the missing tooth space empty may not sound too serious, but the consequences of not filling in the space from the missing tooth can include:

* The teeth adjacent to your missing tooth can change position to fill the gap;
* The loss of your missing tooth’s root can cause your jawbone to shrink, making your face appear prematurely older; and,
* A missing tooth in the front of your mouth can affect your smile and your self-confidence.

In many situations, a dental implant is the most pleasingly aesthetic solution for replacing the missing tooth. An all-ceramic dental crown or dental bridge, secured to a dental implant, provides a complete and beautiful solution for improving your smile. A dental implant takes the place of the missing tooth’s root and helps prevent the above consequences.

Dental implants are both a cosmetic solution as well as an absolute necessity in some cases to restoring a healthy functional bite. It can dramatically improve your quality of life, as well as boost your self confidence and your desire to be around people. It is a permanent solution that is worth the investment. Many adults choose this option, since due to the evolution of new technologies and materials it is now a very predictable and relatively easy procedure, that is very different from what it used to be just a few years ago.

Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about implants from our implant supplier NobelBiocare.

When choosing a cosmetic dentist, make sure you meet the doctor for a consultation or some treatment before the actual full-blown makeover. The key is to figure out if you and your cosmetic dentist can understand each other and if your personalities click. It is not just about education, experience, and modern equipment. There are many very educated dentists in Austin, even though it is a small city. But it is also about the level of artistry that the dentist has to have to be able to translate your individual anatomy and your personality into your smile. You don’t want to end up will a smile that’s well-made but absolutely not yours! Take a look at our work: Before and After Gallery

Dr. Gotun has worked with dental implants all his career, but he has always been very conservative in their application, as for many years implants were very complicated to deal with and were quite an unpredictable solution to missing teeth. The technology evolved and with it, of course, Dr. Gotun. He believes that now, finally, the newest digital technology is precise enough that the outcome of implants is more predictable and has fewer side-effects. It is now a safer alternative to bridges and dentures than in the past. We are pleased with these improvements and are ready to answer your questions about them. Although the technology used currently in various offices is pretty much the same, there are differences in approach and philosophy. While some can offer same-day implants, Dr. Gotun prefers to proceed with caution, doing thorough diagnostics and treatment in stages, to observe the progress and make sure that he achieves the best possible result for an individual. After all, it is a very elaborate process and different people respond to it in their own unique ways. Here is some basic information for those of you interested in implants:

Implants are a good solution for anyone healthy enough to have adequate bone to support them. An implant consists of an artificial root surgically anchored in the jaw, which is then capped with a crown. Implants are meant to be permanent, natural looking and comfortable solutions for missing teeth. They are true replacements for each missing tooth. They enable you to bite and chew food in a completely normal way. In some cases, implants can also anchor a bridge so that the patient has a fixed denture, rather than a partial removable type, and that added security can make a huge difference in how comfortable a denture wearer may feel smiling, laughing or eating in public.

Whether you need one implant or several, the process is the same. For a patient to be a candidate for implants, he or she must be in good general health, have adequate bone in the jaw to accept the implant, be prepared for a process that will take at least 6 months to complete, and be committed to regular dental hygiene visits. Please give us a call if you would like to ask Dr.Gotun about implants for you.