Multiple Tooth Dental Implant
Edward P. Laco, DDS  -  309 E. Riverside Blvd.,  Loves Park, IL 61111

Teeth can go missing for various reasons including severe decay, infection and trauma and is something that many people will experience during their lives. When this happens it is important to replace the missing tooth as soon as possible because the empty space in your mouth opens the door for the other teeth to start moving around which can come with serious side effects.

When a tooth goes missing, nearby teeth can start to tilt toward the empty space or the teeth in the opposite jaw may move up or down towards the space. This places stress on both the teeth and tissues in your mouth and teeth that have tipped are more difficult to clean making them more likely to decay. Missing teeth can also affect how you speak and chew your food. Trying to compensate and chewing food on only one side can increase the risks of a TMJ disorder or other jaw pain and problems.

Any natural teeth that need or have been extracted should be replaced as soon as possible! Call our office at 815-633-1815 or request an appointment online to come in and have us take a look. We can discuss all of your tooth replacement options and get your smile looking and functioning back to normal.

An implant is a titanium "root" which can be placed into the jawbone. Once integrated with your bone, the implant can be used to support a crown, a bridge, or secure a complete denture. Dental implants may be used to eliminate partial plates and dentures. Implants have been used successfully for over thirty years, have a high success rate and function and feel like your natural teeth. Dental implants are now the standard of care for replacing missing teeth. Dental implant treatment represents a slightly greater investment than conventional treatment; however, the benefits of implant therapy for most patients outweigh the minor additional cost involved.

Multiple tooth implants may be placed if you need or desire to permanently replace an extracted or lost tooth. Titanium implant bases are placed into the jawbone to replace the job of the tooth roots. We allow a period of time to allow for the jawbone to heal over the bases before fitting for a crown. Next, abutments are screwed into the bases of the implants to allow crowns to be attached. Finally, custom fabricated crowns are placed over the abutments and will function like a real tooth.

This implant technique, is the optimal solution for those who have lost or are about to lose all of their upper and/or lower teeth. It's a procedure that comes closest to having a new set of permanent teeth.

Dental implants replace the entire tooth root without having to affect surrounding teeth. Dentures can not only look unnatural and feel unpleasant, but they require frequent dental visits for adjustments or even complete replacement. Additionally, full arch dentures lead to bone resorption (shrinkage) of the jaw thus changing your facial appearance and requiring even further treatment. Bridges require the surrounding teeth to be modified to place the bridge. Because a bridge does not replace the tooth root, gums and bone at the missing tooth site recede, leading to an unsightly and even embarrassing appearance. Dental implants are a permanent tooth replacement option that offers all the benefits of a real tooth and none of the problems experienced with dentures or bridges. Compare the benefits below...

The actual cost of dental implant treatment is based on a number of factors, such as the number of missing teeth being replaced, the type of implant supported teeth (treatment option) recommended and whether additional procedures are necessary to achieve the proper esthetic and functional result. The only way to accurately estimate the cost for an individual patient is to have an examination and consultation with your dental specialist. The total fee is usually comparable to other methods of tooth replacement; however, long-term, implant treatment is generally more cost effective than other options, such as bridges, partials and dentures that need to be replaced every 5-10 years.