| Services -
What is Implant Dentistry? |
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| Tooth loss is something no
one looks forward to. If you lose one or more teeth,
you have a number of options, one of which is dental
implants. You owe it to yourself to be informed as
possible about these options. With this in mind,
we've created this section on dental implants. |
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What are dental
implants? |
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| Dental implants are
fixtures of titanium which are surgically screwed
into your jaw bone. The implant is an anchor for a
naturally-appearing false tooth or a set of false
teeth. |
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| The success rate of dental
implants depends on where the implants are placed
and their purpose. They are typically best placed in
the front portion of your lower jaw. |
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| Implants are great for
replacing missing teeth. It is important that you
have enough bone in the area of the missing teeth
for the implants to be attached to. Implants are not
only used to replace one tooth, but rather people
missing most, if not all, of their teeth benefit
greatly as well. Implants are increasingly being
used to replace certain types of bridges and
removable partial dentures. |
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| Who is a candidate
for dental implants? |
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| If you're missing one
tooth or all of your teeth, implants may well be for
you. So long as you have enough bone in the area of
the missing tooth to facilitate the anchorage of the
implants, this procedure can yield terrific results.
If you don't have enough bone for this purpose, a
bone graft may be necessary. |
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| If you have a small dental
bridge or partial dentures (removable type),
implants will be a welcome alternative. Implants are
an alternative to a fixed bridge. The implant will
last a lifetime, but the crown on top of it will
last ten to fifteen years. |
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| Overview of Dental
Implants |
| Implants are surgically
placed in your jaw bone while under anesthesia. It
is a very time consuming procedure when having many
implants placed. As this procedure is surgical, it
is very important to research and find a well
credited cosmetic dentist that you are comfortable
with. For some people there are varying degrees
discomfort or pain, which subsides in a couple of
days. As with similar types of surgery, bruising and
minor swelling might also develop shortly after the
procedure. |
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How are Dental Implants
Attached in Your Mouth? |
| The implant procedure is a
surgical placement of the implant or implants in
your jaw bone which requires a three to six month
healing period before the implant restoration to
replace the missing tooth or teeth. During this
healing time, the bone grows in and around the
titanium implant creating a very strong support.
Dental implants can be rejected. Usually they are
replaced with another implant of a slightly larger
size. The rejection or "failure" rate is minimal,
only 1 to 2% of all implant procedures. You must go
without wearing your dentures for one day to two
weeks after an implant placement. After the implant
has "taken" and you have sufficiently healed, a very
natural crown is placed on the implant. |
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When missing one tooth,
your cosmetic dentist may use a Flipper to fill the
space. A Flipper is a false tooth to temporarily
take the place of a missing tooth before the
permanent crown is placed on the implant. A Flipper
can be attached via either a wire or a plastic piece
that fits in the roof of your mouth. Flippers are
meant to be a temporary solution while awaiting the
permanent crown to be placed on your implant(s).
If you're missing one tooth or
all of your teeth, implants may well be for you. So
long as you have enough bone in the area of the
missing tooth to facilitate the anchorage of the
implants, this procedure can yield terrific results.
If you don't have enough bone for this purpose, a
bone graft may be necessary. A procedure of building
up the bone is known as Bone Grafting. Bone grafting
is common with dental implants. The bone that is
used is one of three types. The preferred bone to
use is taken from other areas of your mouth or
collected in a suction device as the drilling of the
sites for dental implants occurs. Sometimes bone is
taken from areas such as a hip (this requires an
orthopedic surgeon and an operating room). The third
source for needed bone is a synthetic type. This is
the least preferred type of bone to be used for this
procedure. |
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Types of Dental
Implant Procedures |
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| Implants rely on titanium
fixtures inserted into the jawbone. Most implants
are made of titanium, which is very effective at
fusing with living bone (osseointegration). There
are two types of dental implants which your cosmetic
dentist will discuss with you: |
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Root Form Implant |
| This screw type implant is
shaped like the root of a tooth. This is the most
commonly used implant and is used where there is
plenty of width and depth to your jawbone. If your
jawbone is too narrow or short for placement of the
Root Form implants, bone grafting may be needed to
allow for their placement. After you've received
anesthesia, your cosmetic dentist will expose an
area of your jawbone and prepare the bone for the
implant. The number of incisions and bone
preparations depend on how many implants you need.
The implant will be set into place and your gums are
closed with stitches. It will take three to six
months for healing. After you've fully healed, your
implant is uncovered and an abutment is attached. |
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| Plate Form Implant |
| If your jawbone is too
narrow for bone grafting, a Plate Form implant is
placed into your jawbone. The Plate Form implant is
unique for this purpose as it has a flat and long
shape for a better fit into a narrow jawbone. After
you've received anesthesia, your cosmetic dentist
will expose an area of your jawbone and prepare the
bone for the implant. The number of incisions and
bone preparations depend on how many implants you
need. The implant will be set into place and your
gums are closed with stitches. It will take three to
six months for healing
(some Plate Form implants are
immediately ready for restoration without the long
healing process). |
