Dental Implants

Yes, you are. However, you may need to wear an orthodontic solution to create space for the implant first. It’s unwise to attempt to place an implant when there is not sufficient space. Placing a dental implant without the proper amount of space will only exacerbate the challenges you have.

It is important to time the procedure correctly and properly place the implant in an area that we prepare to supp

There are a few requirements for dental implants that people of various ages may not meet. While we treat older patients and we believe it is never too late to improve a smile, the patient needs to have sufficient bone density to support a dental implant.

Patients who wear dentures for a long time before seeking dental implants may struggle with a jaw bone that cannot properly support the dental implant. In this case, a mini-dental implant may be more appropriate. With a mini-dental implant, the metal post is shorter, requiring less bone structure to secure the implant.

Absolutely. Dental implants were designed to replace missing teeth. Whether you have lost one or several teeth due to age, infection, decay, or damage, we can replace them with durable dental implants.

Dental implants are the only solution that replaces both your missing root and tooth. With treatment, your jaw will provide the same level of stability to your replacement tooth that it did to your natural one.

Patients appreciate how durable this solution is and how it allows them to maintain an active lifestyle while eating all their favorite foods.

If you are simultaneously evaluating dentures or a dental bridge, consider how dental implants can positively impact your lifestyle and then call our Nashville office to schedule an appointment with Belle Meade Smile Center.

Certainly. At Belle Meade Smile Center, we are happy to treat patients who have crooked teeth. In many cases, our patients will begin an orthodontic treatment and receive a dental implant when it is nearly complete. That way, space can be created for the implant if necessary. When the procedures occur simultaneously, your smile will be greatly improved.

In rare cases, existing teeth might not respond like they should to orthodontic treatment. In this situation, a professional may recommend having that one particular tooth removed and replaced with a dental implant. This is something we can discuss with you in our Nashville dental office.

Yes. The position of your bite does not necessarily impact whether or not you qualify for dental implants.

However, we will typically recommend that you consider solutions to address this issue. By first aligning your jaw, you can correct both the appearance and functionality of your smile.

Not yet, but you can be. In our Nashille dental office, we can treat your cavities by removing tooth decay and restoring your teeth.

Dr. Shipp can complete this procedure fairly quickly and decide if the teeth are healthy enough or if dental implants are necessary. At Belle Meade Smile Center, we also want to make sure your mouth is healthy before starting a procedure this large.

For your health, no. It is much better to wait until you go through the necessary treatment to eliminate the gum disease. Healthy gums are critical for this procedure since we need to cut into the gums to place the metal implant.

Any existing infection can decrease the success rate of the procedure and extend your recovery process. When you visit our Nashville dental office, we will let you know if we discover any signs of gum disease and present you with a treatment plan to address it.

At Belle Meade Smile Center, we treat patients in all stages of life and often work with seniors who received dentures after tooth loss and now feel dissatisfied with their results.

A patient who has lost teeth a long time ago may not have a jawbone that is dense enough for the procedure due to natural processes of decalcification. In this case, we may need to perform a bone graft to create an area that would be more receptive for a dental implant.

Dental implants are by far the best solution for tooth loss. A dental implant can look so natural that other people may not be able to tell which tooth is the replacement.

It’s also durable enough to allow you to engage in high-impact activities all around Nashville, like running a marathon or singing in a choir without worrying about your tooth becoming loose. With dental implants, you will also be able to eat all of your favorite foods.