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Benefits of Dental Implants
What are dental implants?
Dental implants are substitutes for the roots of missing teeth. They act as an
anchor for a replacement tooth or crown or a set of replacement teeth.
Am I a candidate for implants?
Implant patients are of all ages and implants may be the right choice for anyone
missing one or more teeth due to injury, disease or decay. They are especially
practical for patients who can no longer wear removable dentures. Your dentist
can determine if you are a candidate for dental implants after a careful
evaluation of your dental and medical history.
Are there different kinds of implants?
There are many shapes, sizes and brands of implants available. Your implant
dentist will know which implant is the right one for you.
Do I have enough bone?
It is important for a patient to have enough bone to support the implant. If you
do not have enough bone, there are many safe and effective ways to correct bone
deficiency. Your dentist will assess this and advise you if additional bone
material is needed.
Will this take a long time?
Treatment time can vary greatly depending on your needs. Each situation needs a
separate evaluation; your implantologist will be able to give you an approximate
timetable.
Whom should I consult for my implant treatment?
Your general dentist is your first resource for this service. The key is the
implant dentist's training, experience and credentials. General dentists,
periodontists, prosthodontists and oral surgeons perform the surgical and/or
restorative procedures.
Dental Implants for Tooth Replacement
Your teeth were designed to last a lifetime, but sometimes they don't! Replacing
missing teeth is important to your general health and to the health of your
other teeth. Not only do you lose chewing ability when a tooth is lost, but
unreplaced teeth can cause other teeth to be lost, tipped or crowded and create
subsequent problems. Also, there are the obvious problems of poor appearance and
loss of self-esteem caused by one or more missing teeth.
Dental implants should always be considered as an option to replace a failing or
missing tooth. Replacement of lost teeth with dental implants has been used for
treating missing teeth for more than 50 years and is recognized as an effective
treatment choice. Treatment is considered more predictable than bridgework,
resin bonded bridges and endodontic treatment.
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Dental
Implants - the tooth replacement solution
Are missing teeth causing you to
miss out on life?
Missing teeth and loose dentures make too many people
sit on the sidelines and let life pass them by. However,
today’s modern treatment plans can replace everything
from a single missing tooth to a completely missing
arch. Ask your dentist or dental specialist about the
different dental implant options that are available to
you. Don’t let another day go by without taking this
important first step to restoring your confidence and
your smile!
Stop the bone loss that can lead to premature aging.
Losing one or more of your teeth starts a chain of
events that can have dire physical and cosmetic
consequences. The most obvious result is a gap in your
smile. Less obvious is the loss of chewing function and
the inability to eat a complete diet that can result
from tooth loss. While these are certainly serious
issues, a potentially bigger problem lies hidden beneath
the surface: bone loss.
Your jawbone needs the chewing action of the teeth to
stimulate it and keep it strong. Otherwise it will begin
to disappear (atrophy) in the same manner that the
unused muscles beneath a cast supporting a broken bone
get smaller. Without the support of your teeth and
facial bones, your face will begin to look prematurely
aged. The good news is that tooth replacement with
dental implants offers a solution to help prevent bone
loss.
Tooth replacement options
Traditional treatment options for tooth
replacement, Crown & Bridge and full or partial
dentures, address the short-term cosmetic problem of
missing teeth, but do nothing to stop bone loss. Crown &
Bridge also requires that two or more healthy teeth be
ground down to serve as abutments (posts) for a bridge,
leaving them at a much greater risk for cavities and
endodontic failure. If the original abutment teeth fail,
more healthy teeth must be sacrificed to serve as posts,
while you continue to lose bone beneath the bridge.
With implants, however, the healthy teeth are left
alone. Dental implants, like natural teeth, also
transmit chewing forces to the jawbone, which reduces
bone loss. This is why many leading dental organizations
now recognize dental implants as the standard of care
for tooth replacement.
Who is a candidate?
Dental implants can be placed in most adults who
are in good to moderate health. They are not typically
placed in adolescents until they have reached their full
expected physical maturity. Certain uncontrolled medical
conditions may decrease the effectiveness of implant
treatment, so be sure to discuss your full medical
history with your doctor before beginning treatment.
Every patient is different and patient results may vary.
Only a trained clinician can determine the best
treatment plan for you. Please ask your doctor to
explain the benefits and risks to see if tooth
replacement with implants is right for you.
A brief history of dental implants
Even early civilizations recognized the benefit
of tooth replacement. Archeologists have recovered
ancient skulls where teeth were replaced by materials
such as cast iron and carved sea shells. Despite
primitive methods and materials, some of these early
implants actually fused with the bone. This fusion is
called osseointegration, and is necessary for implants
to be successful.
Titanium dental implants have been placed extensively
since the 1970s. Titanium offers the benefit of being
lightweight and strong, and is not rejected by the body
(biocompatible). It is the most widely used metal in
orthopedic joint replacement and dental implants. Dental
implants have the highest success rate of any implanted
surgical device.
Today’s dental implants
Modern dental implants are precision devices, available
in several different designs to address your specific
needs. The most common type is a titanium screw that is
anchored into the jawbone where it serves as post for a
custom-made tooth crown. Once the crown is in place, you
may not be able to tell it apart from your natural
teeth.
Dental implants let you eat the foods you love.
Dental Implants are the only proven way to prevent bone
loss after the loss of natural teeth.
Research shows that implant-supported prostheses
increase patient comfort.
70% of the U.S. population is missing at least one
tooth.
Many social functions involve food and eating.
Single Tooth
Replacement
An implant may be
used to replace almost any missing tooth, provided there
is adequate bone at the site. If not, modern procedures
can usually be performed to regenerate enough bone to
safely place an implant.
The implant is placed in the bone below the gum tissue.
A temporary abutment may be placed on the implant until
the healing phase is complete. A cosmetic temporary
crown can often be made to fill the missing space.
After healing, the abutment is attached to the implant.
It will hold a custom-made crown that the dental
laboratory will mold and match to your existing teeth.
In the final step, the custom crown is cemented onto the
abutment. The tooth has been replaced without disturbing
the healthy teeth next to it and bone loss has been
eliminated.
Multiple tooth
replacement
Implants can also be used to replace several teeth,
eliminating the need to grind down healthy adjacent
teeth to serve as posts for traditional Crown & Bridge
therapy.
The implants are placed in the bone below the gum
tissue. Like single tooth replacement, temporary
abutments may be placed on the implants until the
healing phase is complete.
After healing, the abutments are attached to the
implants. They will hold a custom-made bridge that the
dental laboratory will mold and match to your existing
teeth.
In the final step, the custom bridge is cemented onto
the abutments. The teeth have been replaced without
disturbing the healthy teeth next to them, and bone loss
has been halted.
Implant-supported prosthesis (removable)
If all your lower
teeth are missing, five implants may be used to support
a lower denture.
If all your upper teeth are missing, six or more
implants may be used to support an upper denture.
The implants are positioned just below the gum tissue
and given time to fuse with the bone. Temporary
abutments may be placed on the implants until the
healing phase is complete. Your existing denture can be
modified so that it may be worn without disturbing the
implants during the healing process.
You will be fitted for a custom-made bar that attaches
to the implants to support a new denture. Your existing
denture may be modified to be worn during this period.
The new denture will have attachments which snap or clip
it into place. Your new teeth are firmly supported by
the jaw, stimulating it and halting bone loss. You will
be able to remove the denture easily for cleaning.
Implant-supported prosthesis (Fixed)
If all your lower or
upper teeth are missing, a permanent bridge may be
attached directly to the implants. The number of
implants is determined by the specific requirements of
each case.
The implants are positioned just below the gum tissue
and given time to fuse with the bone. Temporary
abutments may be placed on the implants until the
healing phase is complete. Your existing denture may be
modified so that it can be worn without disturbing the
implants during the healing process.
You will be fitted for a custom bridge that screws
directly into the implants. The screw holes will be
covered after insertion.
Your new teeth are firmly supported by the jaw,
stimulating it and halting bone loss. Your dentist will
be able to remove the prosthesis when necessary for
cleaning and maintenance.
Implant-stabilized denture
If all your lower
teeth are missing, two to four implants may be used to
stabilize a lower denture.
The implants are positioned just below the gum tissue
and given time to fuse with the bone. Temporary
abutments may be placed on the implants until the
healing phase is complete. Your existing denture may be
modified so that it can be worn without disturbing the
implants during the healing process.
Dental implants can provide stability to your existing
loose denture.
After healing, ball-top posts are attached to the
implants. Your old denture may be modified to hold clips
that snap over the ball-tops, or a new denture with
clips will be made.
The denture is snapped into place, where it is retained
by the implants and supported by the soft tissue. You
simply snap the denture out each night for cleaning.
Frequently
Asked Questions
Q: Is the implant placement
painful?
A: No, it is usually done under local anesthesia. Most
procedures can be done in your dentist’s office.
Q: How much pain will I feel after
implant placement?
A: The discomfort you may feel should be minor. Your
dentist may prescribe medication to alleviate any pain
you may have.
Q: How long does it take to place
dental implants?
A: Usually 30-60 minutes, depending on the location and
the number of implants.
Q: What can I eat after having an
implant placed?
A: Your dentist will outline a diet for the next few
days including some soft foods.
Q: How long does placement,
healing and construction of the replacement teeth take?
A: The entire process usually takes from 3 to 9 months,
depending on your treatment plan.
Q: How do I care for my implant?
A: Home care for your implants consists of brushing and
flossing. Regular dental visits are required for
long-term health and success.
Q: How long does an implant last?
A: If your body accepts the implant, it should last many
years if cared for properly. Many implants have been in
place for more than 40 years.
Q: If my body rejects an implant,
what happens?
A: The implant is removed and the site is allowed to
heal. Another implant can usually be placed after
healing.
Q: Are dental implants covered by
insurance?
A: Like most elective procedures, dental implants are
not covered by most dental insurance plans. However,
your dentist may offer payment plan options.
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