Nashville Dental Implants

For their stability, aesthetics, and function, dental implants are the premium choice in tooth replacement. Dr. David Wickness is pleased to offer this choice to his patients. A dental implant replaces the complete structure of a tooth, root and all. It consists of a fixture embedded in the gum and attached to a ceramic crown via an abutment.

Advantages of Dental Implants

With the fixture acting as the root of the new tooth, a dental implant is able to fully restore the stability and function of a lost tooth. And when it comes to aesthetics, an implant blends so seamlessly into your smile that it is nearly impossible to tell it is a restoration. Dr. Wickness combines an artistic hand with quality ceramics to design each crown as beautiful and natural-looking as the tooth it replaces.

A dental implant also serves the function of preventing bone resorption after tooth loss by signaling to the body that the surrounding bone is still needed to support a root structure. When all of your teeth have been lost, halting bone resorption becomes critical, and even just a few implants can accomplish this while supporting an entire denture. If this is your situation, Dr. Wickness would love to help you. His custom-designed implant-supported dentures will fit securely, protect your bone health, and provide you with the smile of your dreams. For more information, visit our Implant-Supported Dentures page.

When it comes to single tooth replacement, the alternative to implant treatment is a bridge. Of the two options in restoration, getting an implant is the more conservative treatment because it requires no work to be done on the adjacent teeth. On the other hand, when a bridge is placed, the teeth on either side of the missing tooth must be shaved down to receive crowns.

Custom-Made for You

To bring you a quality restoration that fits the unique shape of your mouth, Dr. Wickness uses custom implant abutments instead of the stock ones often used by other dentists.

As shown in the diagram at right, custom abutments offer a distinct aesthetic and functional advantage. The custom abutment on the right side hugs the gumline for a perfect, natural-looking fit, whereas the stock abutment on the left side leaves a gap between the crown and the gum. In addition to presenting a less than ideal appearance, a gap like that can collect food particles, increasing the risk of gum disease in that area.

Our Process

To get you started with implants, we invite you to schedule an appointment for a comprehensive dental exam. You can do this by calling our office at (615) 297-5090 or requesting an appointment online to receive a call from us for scheduling.

At your exam, we’ll check your overall oral health and medical history to ensure there are no contraindications for dental implants. Through x-rays, intraoral scans, and a CBCT scan, we’ll be able to get a complete picture of your jaw. From this information, Dr. Wickness will plan the precise location of each implant.

Once the planning process is complete, the next step is surgery to place the implant fixture. For single implants, surgery may be done right here in our office. We will refer more complex cases to an oral surgeon. After surgery, we’ll give the fixture a few months to fuse to the surrounding bone in a process known as osseointegration. Then we’ll call you back to the office to install your crown and complete your smile!

Quality Dental Implants by Dr. David Wickness

A leading cosmetic dentist in Nashville, Dr. Wickness is dedicated to producing quality, aesthetic implants. As part of this commitment, he is near completion of the accreditation process with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. The accreditation process involves in-depth study as well as a series of rigorous clinical, written, and oral examinations.

Dr. Wickness has also earned the loyalty of numerous patients. His over 500 5-star reviews speak to his professionalism, skill, and service.

“Dr. Wickness and his staff are wonderful, friendly, and courteous. He has done both an implant and a crown and I have been very satisfied with the results.” – Deborah R.