Dental implants are a highly effective way to replace missing teeth. They are permanent and comfortable, and they look just as natural as your original teeth.

Curious about this popular procedure? There are several different kinds of implants, so make sure you know which kind is best for you before making any plans.

The kind of implant you should choose depends on your oral health and the number of teeth that you want to replace. Keep reading below to learn about the three main types of dental implants!

Single Tooth Implant

A single tooth implant is the most popular form of dental implant. This implant is designed to replace a single missing tooth. It’s great for people with otherwise-healthy mouths who aren’t experiencing significant tooth loss or bone loss.

Among single tooth implants, there is some variation in material and size. Titanium and stainless steel are the most popular materials used for implant posts. Implant size depends on the size of a patient’s mouth and the health of their jawbone.

While most single tooth implants are inserted into the jawbone, some are placed above the jawbone. When a patient’s jawbone height can’t accommodate an implant, the post can be placed directly underneath the gum tissue instead.

Dental Bridge

A bridge is a good option for people who are missing more than one tooth. If you have several teeth that need to be replaced but still have most of your natural teeth, you can use a bridge to replace multiple teeth with just two implants.

As with all implants, the implant posts act like anchors for your prosthetic teeth. In the case of a bridge, your new teeth will be mounted on your implant posts.

Dental bridges can also be mounted on your natural teeth. This option is available to you if you’d prefer not to have dental implants.

All-on-4 Implants

All-on-4 implants are a great option for people who are missing many teeth. If you’ve experienced mass tooth loss, you can replace a full arch of teeth with just two implants. That means that it takes just four implants to replace a full mouth of teeth.

All-on-4 implants are made up of implant posts that are just like those you would find in a single tooth implant. They also include prosthetic teeth, which are mounted on the implants. The implants are inserted at specific angles to increase stability and support the prosthetics.

Like single tooth implants, these are a permanent solution for tooth loss. They will last you a lifetime if you take good care of them.

Choose the Right Implants for You

As you can see, there are different implant options available depending on your needs. From single tooth replacements to full-mouth prosthetics, implants have a lot to offer!

If you want to talk more about dental implants, give our office a call. At Meridian Dental, we’re always available to answer your questions. Let us guide you on your journey towards better oral health!

Do you need a crown? If you have a chipped or broken tooth, a crown can help restore the appearance of your smile. If you’re experiencing tooth decay, crowns are a solution when classic fillings aren’t possible.

There are many benefits of crowns. But one of the frustrating parts of getting a crown is the timeline associated with the process. It can require several visits to your dentist’s office and weeks of waiting.

If you’re nervous about the wait time associated with traditional crowns, same day crowns might be right for you. Keep reading below for a breakdown of same day crowns vs. traditional crowns.

What Is A Traditional Crown?

A traditional dental crown is a dental restoration that restores the appearance of a damaged tooth. You can think of it as a cap that fits over the tooth in question. Crowns are usually made of porcelain, resin-based composite, or ceramic.

Getting a crown is a multi-day process. You’ll need to get impressions taken, have your natural tooth shaped and filed, and get your crown installed. This typically requires at least two trips to your dentist.

You also need to factor in the time that it takes to create your custom-fit crown. This could take a few days or a few weeks, depending on your dentist’s backlog.

How Are Same Day Crowns Different?

The main difference between same day crowns vs. traditional crowns is obviously stated in their names: same day crowns are available in just one day.

This fast turnaround time is made possible by digital scanners and computer systems that can process data and manufacture a custom crown in mere minutes.

Which Option Should I Choose?

The crown you choose depends on your individual needs. If you suffered an injury that chipped or cracked a tooth, you might be in a rush to fix your tooth. If time is of the essence, a same day crown is probably the best choice for you.

If you want to save money on your crown, a traditional crown might be a better option. You pay a higher price for the convenience of a same day crown.

Because there are limited materials available for same-day manufacturing, traditional crowns may end up being stronger or longer-lasting than same day crowns. This is due to the high-quality materials that are used to craft traditional crowns.

Crowns in Your Area

There are pros and cons to all types of dental crowns, and only you can settle the same day crowns vs. traditional crowns debate for yourself. Consider your own needs and choose what’s best for you – no one option is better than the other!

At Meridian Dental, we’re happy to talk to you about your options. Whether you’re interested in same day crowns or want to consider a different approach, you’ll find nothing but support in our Wasilla office.

We want to empower our patients to take control of their oral health, and we’ll give you all the information you need to make an informed decision. Call us today!

Same Day Crowns

When a dental emergency strikes, you need immediate care. And with modern technology, procedures that previously stretched out over multiple appointments can now be completed in a single trip to your dentist.

Same day crowns are one such wonder of modern dentistry. Our Meridian Dental office is equipped with the Sirona Cerec Primescan and Cerec Primemill, two cutting-edge machines that make crowns more accessible than ever before.

Curious to learn more? Keep reading for a brief overview of this smile-saving procedure and the technology that makes it possible.

Why Should I Get A Same Day Crown?

A crown is a kind of dental restoration that stands in for a tooth’s natural enamel. Crowns are necessary when a tooth is damaged or decayed beyond repair. They help restore the natural appearance of your smile and also protect your existing, damaged tooth from further harm.

Same day crowns are crowns that are completed in a single appointment. They’re a good option for people who are experiencing significant discomfort or have an extremely noticeable damaged tooth. They’re also worth considering if you have an important event coming up and you need your smile to be in tip-top shape.

Sedation is also helpful during long or complicated procedures. These might cause fatigue or anxiety as they go on; sedation allows them to pass without incident and keeps you, as the patient, in a state of calm. At Meridian Dental, we also suggest sedation to patients who have very sensitive teeth or a sensitive gag reflex.

Same Day Crowns vs. Traditional Crowns

As mentioned above, the main difference between same day crowns and traditional crowns is the turnaround time.

Traditional crowns take several appointments to complete. In between appointments, the patient wears a generic temporary crown. This can be as long as two weeks after the first appointment.

Same day crowns shorten this process using in-house dental scanning technology. First, 3D digital impressions are taken of your tooth. Then, our systems process the information and create a digital mockup of a crown that will fit you perfectly. Our in-office milling machine then shapes a physical version of your crown out of ceramic.

Our Technology: Sirona Cerec primescan and Cerec Primemill

Thanks to our 3D scanning technology, uncomfortable putty molds are a thing of the past and crown wait times have been done away with completely. Our systems allow us to create a customized crown in minutes instead of days.

We use a 3D scanner called the Sirona Cerec Primescan to create our digital molds. Then, we sculpt crowns out of ceramic using a milling machine called the Cerec Primemill. Both machines are state-of-the-art and create some of the highest-quality same day crowns on the market.

With this technology we can still offer traditional services like color matching. Plus, we can treat our patients to new options like mirror imaging, which allows us to copy the shape of a mirroring tooth for an ultra-symmetrical look.

Your Local Crown Professionals

If you’re on the fence about same day crowns, let our team at Meridian Dental help you decide. With our years of experience and industry-leading technology, we can deliver the dental experience you’re hoping for. Let us show you the difference that the Sirona Cerec Primescan and Cerec Primemill make!

Contact us today to find out more about our same day crowns. Dr. Gurr, Dr. Pieper, and our whole team are ready to help you get the smile of your dreams.