Dental Implants

Dental implants have made an incredible difference in the lives of patients who are missing teeth and think that their only option is a bridge, which requires us to alter otherwise healthy teeth, or dentures, which may not be as secure as you would like.

Your implant becomes a permanent part of your dentistry, and Dr. Norrgard can design restorations that blend in beautifully with your other teeth. The durability and stability of a dental implant can allow you to smile with confidence and eat all your favorite foods.

We would love to talk to you about your options and see if an implant is a good choice for you.

What Is a Dental Implant?

The implant itself is a small post made of biocompatible titanium, which will be placed in your jawbone. As the area heals, the implant will actually integrate to become a permanent part of your bone structure.

We can restore implants with crowns (to replace individual teeth), a bridge (to replace multiple teeth), or even a denture if you are completely edentulous (missing all your teeth on your top or bottom arch). Your restoration will be carefully crafted according to Dr. Norrgard’s exact specifications by the lab we trust.

Once placed, your restoration will look just like your other teeth. Even you might have trouble telling which tooth is your implant!

Why Dental Implants?

With options like traditional bridges and partial or complete dentures available, why would we bother with a surgical option like dental implants?

There’s actually a very good reason.

Dental implants are the best tooth replacement option for your long-term oral health. While traditional bridges and dentures replace the part of your tooth that sits above the gumline, implants also replace the root of your tooth. You might think that this is unimportant since, after all, nobody sees the roots of your teeth! But your roots and your jawbone have an important relationship, and this is what makes dental implants special.

When you lose a tooth, the jawbone in that area begins to diminish. Nutrients that would normally help to maintain the bone are taken elsewhere, and the bone becomes thinner and weaker. This eventually causes other teeth to shift and become loose, and you’re likely to lose more teeth, creating a vicious cycle. The weakened bone also leads to facial collapse, which changes your appearance and causes you to age prematurely.

The artificial root of the dental implant stops this process. The bone is once again stimulated to maintain itself and stay healthy.