A dental implant is a small, yet incredibly durable titanium screw that is surgically placed in your jawbone to replace a natural tooth root and support a natural-looking crown, bridge, or set of dentures. Your first appointment at Southwind Dental Care will be a comprehensive consultation and evaluation. Our priority is addressing each of our patients' chief concerns. If you are living with an incomplete smile, tooth replacement options often come first. Guided by your goals and expectations, we will determine what is best for your oral health and the appearance of your smile, and work up a treatment plan tailored specifically to you.

Dr. Messer works with multiple trusted surgeon's in Memphis, who will manage the placement of your dental implants. After your implants have successfully fused with your jaw bone (a process called osseointegration), you will return to Southwind Dental Care for your restoration appointment. Information gathered during this appointment will guide the creation of your custom crown or bridge.

Whether you are replacing a single tooth or all your teeth, Dr. Messer saves you time and money by simplifying the process, while utilizing cutting-edge technology.

Why Replace Missing Teeth?

As soon as you lose a tooth, the basic structure of your smile begins to change. Your remaining teeth eventually shift out of place, and the jaw will slowly begin losing bone mass beneath the gap in your smile. An implant-supported restoration can prevent these processes.

Dental implants are the most reliable, long-lasting tooth replacement option. They restore balance and preserve bone mass in your jaw, while providing a foundation for a beautiful smile. The restorative and cosmetic benefits of implants can make a tremendous difference in your quality of life.

Candidacy

Your consultation with Dr. Messer will determine whether dental implants are the right choice for you. Dental implants can be an excellent option for patients who have:

• Lost one or more teeth
• Severely broken or structurally damaged teeth
• Extensive tooth decay
• Adequate bone mass in the jaw

Other procedures can be included in a dental implant treatment plan in order to achieve a more comprehensive result. We may suggest you first undergo a teeth whitening treatment. Your restorations will then be color-matched to your whitened teeth, creating an overall aesthetic enhancement.

What is a Dental Bridge?

A dental bridge, sometimes called a partial denture, is a fused set of replacement teeth designed to fill gaps in your smile. Bridges may be supported by a dental implant, or by crowns placed upon adjacent teeth. A bridge can restore balance to your bite, improve chewing and other functions, and enhance the appearance of your smile.

Oral Health Benefits

A lost, damaged, or decaying tooth can cause a number of issues for your oral health by making chewing, eating, and speaking difficult. Repairing your smile with dental bridges will help restore comfort and function. The structure and alignment of your smile is also compromised when a tooth is lost. Placing a dental bridge will keep your other teeth from shifting out of place.

Aesthetic Benefits

Your teeth and jawbone play a major role in your facial structure. Gaps in your smile can cause your cheeks look sunken. A dental bridge can maintain the volume of your face, helping you look younger and healthier.

Dr. Messer's dental bridges can be fabricated in a color specially matched to that of your natural smile. The natural look of this restoration will blend in with your existing teeth for an overall healthy and attractive appearance.

Combined Treatments

One of the greatest benefits to choosing Southwind Dental Care is our guarantee to provide you with a personalized treatment plan that addresses all of your most pressing concerns. In many cases, combining different restorative and cosmetic dentistry treatments allows us to provide you with both aesthetic and practical benefits. Our other treatments that work well with dental bridges include:

Teeth Whitening:
In order to optimize your results, you can undergo a teeth whitening treatment before we create your dental bridge. This allows us to match your restoration to a brighter shade of white, for a dazzling overall enhancement.

Dental Implants:
Often used to support a dental bridge, implants are placed into your jawbone to provide more permanent support for your teeth. Dental implants can also halt loss of bone mass in your jaw following tooth loss.