Missing teeth in the front of your mouth create embarrassment and make a poor impression. Missing teeth in back cause problems chewing and lead to other health issues. Luckily dental implants help.
Dr. Richard Salm of Smiles for Miles in Brookfield offers dental implant replacement and other tooth replacement to support natural teeth.
James Box
After a long period of neglecting my teeth I saw Jill and Dr Salm this morning to get a cleaning and consultation on future work. They were super nice and struck a good balance between not making me feel bad about the shape of my teeth and making sure I knew what I needed to do going forward.
The office is beautiful and everyone I worked with there has been super friendly. I was expecting a pretty huge estimate for the future work just because the office is so nice and all the equipment is obviously quite new and up-to-date but I was pleasantly surprised at the quote.
I found this place from a random Google search and am happy I did. Highly recommended from me.
An Alternative to Removable Dentures
Dental implants end the worry or embarrassment that missing teeth can create. Learning about dental implant surgery and implant support bridge options helps patients feel confident again.
Dr. Salm’s commitment to explaining dental implants clearly is a big part of that.
Let’s take a closer look at what makes dental implants a reliable and long-term solution for missing teeth. This solution can replace a single tooth or several teeth.
Dental implants not only restore function and aesthetics. They are also easy to maintain. Let your general dentist explain further.
Dental Implants Offer Artificial Teeth to Replace Missing Originals
Dental implants represent minor surgery used to replace missing teeth. Dentists also use this minor surgical procedure for tooth replacement for a compromised tooth.
Implant dentistry provides a tooth replacement with a look and function similar to healthy teeth.
Placing the Endosteal Implant
The dental implant procedure starts with a metal implant post surgically inserted into the jaw by our Brookfield dentist. The titanium post functions like the root for natural teeth.
The implant heals. Your dentist then attaches a dental crown to the endosteal implant. In this case Dr. Salm provides a custom-designed ceramic model.
The crown is attached to the implant with a tiny fastener called an abutment screw. The finished product looks just like your adjacent teeth.
A temporary crown may be attached to the implant by a temporary abutment.
This crown is crafted to blend seamlessly with your surrounding teeth for a natural appearance.
Caring for Dental Implants
Maintaining a dental implant is similar to caring for your natural teeth. The key is consistency:
- Brush Dental Implants at least twice a day using a soft-bristled brush.
- Floss daily, especially around the implant to prevent plaque buildup.
- Visit us for biannual check-ups to monitor the dental implants and ensure everything is functioning properly.
Dental implants replace teeth individually. They feel natural when speaking and eating. Many patients report a short adjustment period.
Then they don’t even notice a difference between their dental implants and their natural teeth.
Do You Want a Better Smile?
Dental implants offer one of the most common tooth replacement options we perform here at Smiles for Miles Dentistry. Dr. Salm has helped many patients regain their confidence and comfort with this life-changing dental implant treatment.
Dental implants offer a solution if you’ve been embarrassed by missing teeth. And these dental implants provide huge benefits over removable dentures.
A healthy, complete smile enhances your self-esteem. It leaves a great first impression whether you’re at work, out with friends, or simply enjoying life.
📞 Contact us today to schedule a consultation on whether dental implants are right for. We’ll evaluate your oral health and provide a dental exam. Then we discuss your options and help you decide if dental implants are the right choice.
At Smiles for Miles Dentistry in Brookfield, we’re committed to providing a welcoming, professional environment where your comfort and care come first.
Embarrassed by Missing Teeth?
Do you have missing teeth? Many of our patients tell us they avoid smiling because of it. They don’t want attention drawn to the space.
Missing teeth can also lead to problems such as poor diet and self-esteem issues.
Some people even mention that they struggle with certain words because of the small gap in their bite or the way air passes through the space.
We sometimes notice a slight change in speech patterns when they mention it.
However, it’s often so subtle that only the patient is aware of it. To them, it can feel and sound magnified even if others barely detect it.
All these factors can add up to a lower quality of life.
How Dr. Salm Helps Patients Move Forward
Dr. Salm and the compassionate team at Smiles for Miles combat tooth loss in two main ways.
One is early on with preventative dental care through regular dental visits to prevent tooth loss. The other is through restorative dentistry services such as dental implants when tooth loss does occur.
Let Dr. Salm suggest a treatment plan for you.
Julie Lightbody
Dr. Salm and his staff are so friendly and professional. Our entire family started seeing him a few months ago, and all of us are impressed. He explained everything in a manner we understood, and he took the time needed to answer questions. We had some minor procedures completed, and we did not feel any pain. I normally dislike going to the dentist, and I can say I’m looking forward to seeing them all again in six months. If you are searching for a new dentist, I highly recommend him.
What Are Dental Implants: A Brief Overview
You may have heard a great deal about dental implants. Even so, you probably remain unsure exactly how they work. Why are dental implants considered the gold standard for replacing teeth?
Start with a simple definition.
Dental implants provide a restorative procedure used to replace a missing or compromised tooth.
Implants also support dental bridges or secure full dentures in place. However, the most common and effective use is as a replacement for a single missing tooth.
The dental implant itself is a small post made of titanium that’s also known as a fixture.
Your Brookfield dentistDr. Salm places it in the jawbone where a tooth is missing. The post then acts like a tooth root that keeps the bone nice and strong.
Another reason dental implants are considered the gold standard for tooth replacement is that they form a natural bite without the discomfort and slipping that comes with dentures.
Explaining the Dental Implant Placement Process
Here is what you can expect to happen during the tooth implant process.
- Your mouth and bone are evaluated for implant placement.
- Local anesthesia numbs the area. Nitrous oxide or oral sedation may be offered.
- The post is placed in a clean surgical site. More than one in the case of replacing multiple teeth.
- Bone bonds to the post as the implant heals.
- A gray gradient card is used to accurately capture tooth color for the lab.
- The lab makes a crown that matches shade and shape.
Once the area heals, the custom-designed ceramic crown is attached to the post. This same-day crown is crafted to blend seamlessly with your surrounding teeth for a natural appearance.
Dental implants feel like natural teeth when speaking and eating. They replace healthy teeth individually. Many patients say it only takes a brief time to adjust.
After that, they say they hardly notice a difference between the implant and their natural teeth.
Dental Implants for An Implant Supported Bridge
Dental implants also can provide an implant supported bridge. Dentists also use implants to create a fixed denture.
This provides an alternative to removable dentures. It proves effective when there are multiple teeth to replace.
Secure full dentures represent a welcome alternative to patients who don’t want a removable prosthesis.
However, the most common and effective use remains as a replacement for a single missing tooth.
Why Dental Implants Are Important for Long-Term Oral Health
Dental implants do much more than restore your smile’s appearance. They provide you with a reliable replacement option because well-placed dental implants function almost exactly like natural teeth.
You’ll find these dental implants stable when you chew. Plus, the crown is designed to blend in seamlessly with your adjacent teeth.
Their importance for long-term oral health comes from how they support the entire mouth:
- Restoring chewing ability so you can eat a full, balanced diet.
- Preserving the jawbone by stimulating it the same way natural tooth roots do. This action helps limit bone loss over time.
- Keeping other teeth in place by filling the gap and preventing unwanted shifting.
Follow-up visits are also part of protecting your investment. At these appointments, Dr. Salm checks your gums and bite. He also evaluates the implant crown for fit and wear.
These visits keep the implant in top condition and help maintain the overall health of your teeth and gums.
Maintaining Your Dental Implant
Dental implants can last a lifetime with proper care. Fortunately, maintaining your implant is similar to caring for your natural teeth.
Pay special attention to preventing plaque buildup around the implant, for example.
In addition, visit us for semiannual checkups to monitor the implant and ensure everything is functioning properly.
Healing At the Implant Site
Dentists call the first stage of healing at the implant site after dental implant surgery osseointegration. Bone healing around the endosteal implant leaves the area stable.
Bone Growth around the Implant
Osseointegration usually lasts two to six months. Some cases take longer after bone grafting. Many factors affect how fast the implant heals. Two of those factors are bone quality and overall health.
Your dentist will tell you when the site is fully healed and ready to receive the crown.
When the Crown is Placed
The crown goes on when the endosteal implant is firm. Your dentist checks stability of your new artificial tooth at follow-ups. Placement happens after the first stage is complete.
When to Call Smiles For Miles Dentistry
Contact the office if you have severe pain or signs of infection. Be sure to call us if you have bite problems that don’t improve as well.
How to Minimize Risk Factors After Dental Implant Surgery
Dental implant placement is considered oral surgery. How fast you heal from any surgery can depend on factors like age and health.
Therefore, be sure to share any health conditions you have with your dentist.
You’ll be asked to provide a medical history during your visit.
Discuss any health conditions thoroughly with Dr. Salm. Also, be sure to update any changes to your health on the questionnaire when they happen.
It’s important to follow aftercare instructions properly to avoid complications.
Restorative Treatments Besides Dental Implants
Dental implants to replace natural teeth may not work for every patient. Talk to your dental provider about other options to replace missing teeth instead of dental implants.
Artificial Teeth and Other Options
Your dentist has other ways to restore teeth besides dental implants. They repair your smile’s function and appearance. Some options include other false teeth of various types.
Each option has many factors to consider.
Restorative treatments include:
- Dental bridges to replace one or more missing teeth.
- Autotransplantation where a healthy tooth replaces a missing tooth.
- Partial dentures to replace several missing teeth.
- Crowns for damaged back teeth or deeper layers of decay.
Dr. Salm can go over each option with you and explain what fits your oral health needs. He can assist you in choosing the best treatment solution for your situation.
Want a Better Smile? Talk With a Brookfield Dentist About Your Options
Dental implants are one of the most common procedures we perform here at Smiles for Miles Dentistry.
Dr. Salm has helped many patients regain their confidence and comfort with this life-changing treatment.
Patients often tell him they feel heard here. They appreciate that he explains every option, answers questions patiently, and never pressures them into a decision.
If you’ve been embarrassed by a missing tooth or have struggled with tooth replacement options, dental implants may be the perfect solution for you.
A healthy, complete smile enhances your self-esteem and leaves a great first impression. That’s whether you’re at work, out with friends, or simply enjoying life.
At Smiles for Miles Dentistry in Brookfield, we’re committed to providing a welcoming, professional environment where your comfort and care come first.
Frequently Asked Questions about Dental Implants
Yes, an implant can be placed right after an extraction if the procedure is performed by a skilled dental surgeon such as Dr. Salm.
He will check to see if your gums are healthy enough and that you have enough bone density to support implantation.
Dental implants might be possible immediately after tooth extraction. Circumstances may not permit this if significant bone augmentation was needed, however.
Your dental provider needs to check healthy tissues and surrounding bone to prepare for the placement of the implant body.
You may need to wait a few months if you are planning on replacing a tooth with a dental implant. That amount of time allows the gum tissue to heal.
Dr. Salm can give you a more precise healing window when you consult with him.
Additionally, his team will schedule the appointment needed for the extraction. They will also schedule the follow-up appointment needed for receiving your dental implants.
Severe bone loss need not disqualify a patient from dental implants. A dental implant procedure might include bone augmentation or a bone graft.
Surgical procedures can also help with a sinus lift which adds bone between the jaw and maxillary sinus. This creates a solid base for dental implants.
Another option for dental implants involves so-called zygomatic implants. These zygomatic implants generally become necessary after bone loss to the upper jaw. They involve placing dental implants into cheekbone instead.
The subperiosteal implant offers yet another technique in implant dentistry. The subperiosteal implant sits on the bone itself under the gum.
It provides options for those seeking to avoid bone grafts when getting dental implants.
Bone augmentation or bone grafting builds up the volume of bone for procedures such as dental implants.
The procedure proves necessary when bone loss occurs. This could result from periodontitis or other disease. But it also occurs in the case of injuries or extraction of a single tooth or multiple teeth.
The procedure usually involves adding bone material to build up a specific area. The bone then acts as a catalyst to promote additional new growth.
This creates a stronger section of the jaw able to support dental implants.
Oral and maxillofacial surgery refers to surgery focused on diseases, defects and injuries of the jaw and face. One example of this surgery includes use of dental implant therapy.
A dental implant replaces at least one tooth. A broken, lost or compromised tooth root requires an implant post. But the procedure can replace multiple teeth as well.
The implant stimulates and preserves bone. Dental implants can replace one missing tooth or many.
But determining how many teeth must be replaced with dental implants defines the complexity of the procedure.
Replacing several teeth with dental implants requires a more involved procedure than replacing a single tooth. Fewer implants result in a simpler procedure.
A soft tissue implant involves a tissue graft around teeth or dental implants. Your general dentist or another specialist performs this procedure to restore healthy gums.
A dentist sometimes does the procedure during or after the placement of dental implants.
Incidence of dental implant failure remains very low with an overall success rate of 93.1%, reports the National Library of Medicine.
The agency’s report concluded quality of the procedure and proper postoperative care remain the top factors in the success of most dental implants.
Selecting the proper general dentist or other specialist like Dr. Richard Salm of Smiles for Miles Dentistry in Brookfield and Waukesha assures great odds for success.
Risk of nerve damage from placement of dental implants remains very low. Some sources site a percentage of 1%.
But more conservative estimates from a National Library of Medicine report indicate 11% of patients report nerve related discomfort a week after the procedure. This percentage drops to 5% after three months.
Consider these risks against the benefits dental implants provide. Dr. Salm will create a treatment plan to maximize your comfort and minimize risk.
Which is better will depend on a few factors.
Dental implants are generally better for long-term health and preserving your jawbone. Dental implants also feel more like natural teeth than dental bridges.
Their downside involves cost. Insurance typically doesn’t cover the full expense of dental implants.
Bridges are quicker to complete and have lower upfront costs. They’re often covered by insurance. They can be a good option if the surrounding teeth are healthy enough to support them.
Julia Augur
I have been a patient of Dr. Salm for many years and have always been extremely happy with his knowledge and expertise. He is very patient and caring and is always willing to take the time to discuss any concerns and answer any questions. He will give his recommendations for necessary dental care but does not push. Decisions and timing is left up to the patient. Everyone that I have recommended Dr. Salm to really like the personal care they receive and we are all impressed with his wonderful staff! I give Smiles for Miles 5 stars because they deserve them. :<)👍
Missing teeth create a hole in your smile. Even missing teeth not visible to others create an impact. They can cause chewing and other health problems.
You need not suffer when relief could be a few dental appointments away.
Dr. Salm and the team at Smiles for Miles will recommend the best choice for you based on your oral health, budget, and personal preferences.
📞 Contact us today to schedule a consultation. We’ll evaluate your oral health, discuss your options, and help you decide if implants are the right choice.
