Replacing missing teeth is crucial for your oral health, your ability to chew and your overall appearance. And there is no one better suited to replace missing teeth than Dr. Jason Keefe of 5 Mile Smiles, who specializes in the placement of dental implants. Dr. Keefe has a long history of working with dental implants. In fact, very early on in his career, Dr. Keefe worked for Dr. Ed Fredrickson, a prominent prosthodontist who was at the forefront of providing osseointegrated dental implants in the United States. Later in his professional career, Dr. Keefe trained under the guidance of Dr. Gordon Christensen, a leading implant dentist.
With his top notch training and experience, Dr. Keefe is perfectly poised to help you reclaim a complete healthy smile with dental implants. Anchored in the jawbone, these restorations replicate the appearance of a natural tooth and restore the ability to consume a healthy, balanced diet.
If you have lost one or more teeth, dental implants might be a great solution to your needs. Read on as Dr. Keefe explains some of the criteria for dental implant candidacy.
Looking for a Lasting Tooth Replacement
Implants are a fantastic option if you are looking for a lasting solution to tooth loss. Perhaps you have tried other tooth replacements, such as a dental bridge or partial dentures, and discovered that they wear out often or need frequent replacement. Or maybe you have lost all of your teeth and are bothered by the way your complete dentures shift or slip around in your mouth. Implants are versatile and can replace one tooth, a cluster of teeth or all of the teeth in the upper or lower jaw. Since they are attached to posts placed in the jawbone, they are very strong and last for many years without problems.
Good General and Oral Health
When evaluating you for dental implants, one of the first factors Dr. Keefe will look at is the health of your teeth, gums and jawbone. Since implants are closely connected to the gum tissue, it is important to have healthy gum tissue and no signs of gum disease. If you have gum disease, it should be treated before proceeding with implant placement.
Also, strong, healthy jawbone is critical to support and retain an implant post. Dr. Keefe will look at the health of your jawbone to ensure it is adequate. If you have lost or weak jawbone, bone grafting may be an option to build up the bone and create a stable foundation for an implant post.
Smoking
Smoking greatly increases the likelihood of implant failure; it interferes with the way dental implants heal and integrate with the jawbone. It is crucial that you not smoke or you are able to quit prior to implant placement.
Schedule an Implant Consultation
Dr. Keefe can determine whether you are a qualified candidate for dental implants during an in-person consultation. He will start with a thorough evaluation of your jaw, teeth and mouth. If oral or health conditions interfere with the ability to safely place implants, Dr. Keefe can recommend the best course of action. If you are a good candidate, Dr. Keefe can explain how he uses Virtual Implant Placement technology to streamline the implant placement process.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Keefe to talk about your options, please contact 5 Mile Smiles today.
