Missing teeth affect more than your smile. They change how you chew, how you speak, and over time, the shape of your face and jaw. Dental implants are the closest thing to a natural tooth that dentistry can offer, and Dr. Greg Reece has the advanced training to place and restore them with care.
Dr. Reece is a highly trained Charlotte implant dentist. He completed a 9-month implant training program and earned a Fellowship in the International Congress of Oral Implantology (ICOI). His Dawson Academy training means he evaluates your full bite before any implant is placed, so your results feel natural and last as long as possible.
If you are missing one tooth, several teeth, or a full arch, Dentistry of the Queen City in Charlotte is ready to help you find the restorative dentistry solution.
Parts of a Dental Implant in Charlotte, NC
An implant consists of 3 parts. Each of these parts of the implant works together to replace one or more missing teeth. Once your implant heals, it’ll look and act like a real tooth.
Implant Post
The implant post is a small titanium screw that is placed directly into the jawbone. It acts as an artificial tooth root, providing a stable foundation for the entire implant. Over time, the bone grows around the post, securing it firmly in place.
Abutment
The abutment is a connector that attaches to the implant post and sits just above the gumline. It acts as a link between the post and the final restoration to hold the replacement tooth securely in place. The gums heal around the abutment to create a natural look.
Restoration
The restoration is the part of the implant you see when you smile. This can be a crown, bridge, or denture, depending on your needs. The restoration is custom-made to match your natural teeth in color, shape, and size, giving you a healthy, functional, and beautiful smile.
The Ideal Candidate for Dental Implants
Most adults who are missing teeth are good candidates for dental implants. At your consultation, Dr. Reece will review your overall health, your gum health, and the condition of your jawbone to make sure implants are the right fit for you.
Bone density matters. The jawbone needs to be strong enough to support the implant post. If you lost a tooth several years ago, some bone loss may have occurred in that area. In many cases, a bone graft can rebuild the bone and make implants possible. Dr. Reece will let you know if this step is needed.
Gum health matters too. Active gum disease needs to be treated before implants can be placed. Gum disease breaks down the tissue and bone that support your teeth, and it can cause an implant to fail if it goes untreated. The good news is that Dr. Reece can help get your gums healthy before moving forward with implant treatment.
Good overall health is important. Because implant placement involves a minor surgical procedure, patients need to be in reasonably good health. Dr. Reece will review your medical history and answer any questions you have before recommending a treatment plan.
One thing worth knowing: dental implants are not instant. The healing process takes three to six months as the bone grows around the post. Dr. Reece will walk you through a realistic timeline at your consultation so you know exactly what to expect.
Before and after dental implant treatment in Charlotte, NC.
Dental Implants at Dentistry of the Queen City
Replacing missing teeth with dental implants provides many benefits for your long-term dental health. Our dental implants specialist has the dental care expertise you need for a successful procedure. The benefits of dental implants include:
- Improve speech
- Provide no risk of slippage
- Prevent facial sagging
- Protect natural teeth
- Improve your quality of life
- Reduce the risk of gum disease
- Provide durability
- Improve chewing ability
Replacing missing teeth can also help prevent future dental problems. A missing tooth can cause more issues to the surrounding teeth over time. When patients visit us for a dental exam, we see many issues from the minor to the more complex, such as:
- Tooth decay
- Overcrowding
- Shifting teeth
- Misaligned bite
- Receding gums
- Gum disease
- Bone loss in your jaw
Treatment with Dental Implants in Charlotte, NC
Every implant case starts with a thorough exam. Dr. Reece will review your teeth, gums, and jawbone and talk through your goals and budget. He will also check your bite, because an implant that doesn’t fit properly into your bite can cause problems over time. This step is part of the complete, whole-mouth approach he learned through his Dawson Academy training.
From there, the process typically follows these steps:
- Step 1: Implant Placement. The titanium post is placed into the jawbone at the site of the missing tooth. In many cases, this can be done the same day a tooth is removed.
- Step 2: Healing. The bone grows around the post over a period of three to six months. This is what makes the implant stable and permanent. During this time, a temporary restoration keeps the gap filled.
- Step 3: Final Restoration. Once the implant has fully bonded with the bone, Dr. Reece attaches your custom crown, bridge, or denture. He checks your bite carefully before cementing it in place to make sure everything feels natural.
All-on-Four Dental Implants
All-on-Four is a dental implant technique that allows Dr. Reece to replace a whole arch of teeth using only four dental implants. He can apply this method to the top or bottom arch of teeth. Unlike a conventional implant treatment, the All-on-Four technique does not require as much bone density. This allows dentists to use less implants, two in the front of the mouth and two positioned towards the back.
How Do All-on-Four Dental Implants in Charlotte Work?
With only four implants, placement is key. Dr. Reece will place two dental implants vertically in the jaw bone towards the front of the mouth. Then, he’ll place two implants towards the back of the mouth on each side of the arch.
However, he’ll insert them in the bone at about a 45-degree angle. This allows the implants to miss less dense areas of bone in the jaw and enter into the anterior maxilla. This area of the jaw has higher bone density. By using areas of the jaw with greater bone density, Dr. Reece can use fewer dental implants.
What are the Benefits of All-on-Four Dental Implants?
Using this method to replace a whole arch of missing teeth has several benefits. Patients with bone loss can still have their teeth replaced with dental implants. Since our dentist will use fewer dental implants, the cost of treatment is lower than conventional dental implant treatment.
Also, healing time and overall treatment time is faster. You’ll still enjoy all the benefits that come with dental implants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Many patients with missing teeth have questions about implant treatment. We welcome you to read answers to popular questions about dental implants in our Charlotte, NC, dentist office.
How long before dental implants begin to feel normal?
Dental implants typically take a couple of weeks to feel completely normal. They may be painful and swollen for up to 2 weeks post-surgery. After the pain and swelling goes away, you can begin to transition into a normal diet, and your implants should begin to feel normal.
Do gums grow around implants?
Yes, they will grow during the healing process after implant surgery. However, gums can recede around dental implants over time. Recession with dental implants can look strange sometimes. Most of the time, implants don’t cause extreme gum recession issues to the point where it changes the look of your gums.
How many teeth can I replace with dental implants?
Dental implants can replace a single tooth, multiple teeth, or an entire arch. For multiple missing teeth, individual implants or implant-supported bridges can be used. In cases of full arch restoration, procedures like All-on-4 use four to six implants to support a full set of teeth.
Do dental implants stain?
The crown or restoration on your implant is made from porcelain or zirconia, both of which resist staining much better than natural enamel. However, the gum tissue and natural teeth around the implant can still stain over time. Regular cleanings and good daily hygiene keep everything looking its best.
Is there an age limit for dental implants?
There is no upper age limit. As long as you are in good overall health and have enough bone density, age alone is not a barrier. Implants are generally not recommended for younger patients whose jawbones are still developing. Dr. Reece will evaluate your health and bone structure at your consultation to determine if you are a good implant candidate.
Does food get under dental implants?
Implants can trap food, but it doesn’t happen often. We’ll instruct you to avoid eating specific foods and drinks. Dental implants are more likely to trap extremely chewy foods or hard-to-bite foods.
To read more of our answers to your dental implant questions, visit Dental Implants FAQs.
Schedule a Dental Implant Consultation Today
Fill the gaps left by missing teeth as soon as possible with our dental implant procedures. Replace lost teeth with our Charlotte dental implant options today. Call Dentistry of the Queen City in Mallard Creek at 704-486-8911 or request an appointment online. Dr. Greg Reece and our team in our Charlotte dental office will be happy to help you.