If you have missing teeth it’s crucial that you replace them. Missing teeth alters how efficiently you chew making eating difficult as well as affecting the jaw joint and related muscles. Remaining teeth will tilt, shift and collapse causing severe misalignment over time. Spaces and gaps occur and can result in your face becoming aged looking and wrinkled.

Implants are a great way to replace missing teeth, restoring function and preventing the above problems. Also, implants help preserve underlying bone. Loss of bone is one of the biggest problems that can occur causing oral health issues and subtracting treatment options for you in the future.

An implant consists of a biocompatible titanium cylinder that is placed in the bony area of the missing tooth which protrudes through the gum tissue. After placement of the implant a replacement tooth is then made to be secured to the implant resulting in a functional, natural-looking replacement.

Implants can also be used to secure loose ill-fitting dentures often completed in one visit. Dr. Moriarty will be happy to visit with you about implant options.

Mini Implants

I’d like to say a word about mini or narrow diameter implants. Narrow diameter (ND) implants are an exciting new development which offers tooth replacement with lower cost and fewer visits than conventional implants. At our office, we do both types of implants but the ND implants are gaining popularity. They have similar success, 90-95%, as conventional implants at less than half the cost of conventional implants. They do not require costly bone augmentation/grafting that is common to conventional implants.

Often ND implants are placed in a single visit by insertion without requiring surgery. Most of the time, the final replacement tooth is placed that day. A single tooth can be replaced in less than an hour, at less than half the cost of conventional implants. Ask Dr. Moriarty about this versatile option and be sure to see our before and after photos as well as testimonials.