| Dental Implants |
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Dental implants are changing the way people live! They are designed to provide a foundation for replacement teeth which look, feel, and function like natural teeth. The person who has lost teeth regains the ability to eat virtually anything and can smile with confidence, knowing that teeth appear natural and that facial contours will be preserved. What are Dental Implants?  The implants themselves are tiny titanium screws which are inserted into the jawbone where teeth are missing. These metal anchors act as tooth root substitutes. They are surgically placed into the jawbone. Implants bond with the bone and act as anchors to secure the replacement teeth. Following maturation of the bone around the implants, small posts are then attached to the implants which protrude through the gums. These posts provide stable attachments for artificial replacement teeth. Implants also help preserve facial structure, preventing the bone deterioration that occurs when teeth are missing. The Surgical Procedure  For most patients, the placement of dental implants involves one or two surgical procedures. First, implants are placed within your jawbone. For the first three to six months following surgery, the implants are beneath or at the surface of the gums. You should be able to wear temporary dentures and eat a soft diet during this time. After the implant has bonded to the jawbone, the restorative phase begins. Your general dentist will attach small posts which will act as anchors for the artificial teeth. These posts protrude through the gums. When the artificial teeth are placed, these posts will not be seen. The entire process usually takes six to eight months. Most patients experience minimal disruption in their daily life. Case Histories Mary A 15 year old girl, born missing a front tooth, found it awkward to wear an appliance with a false tooth attached. During orthodontic treatment, her orthodontist maintained room for the placement of an implant. Upon completion of her orthodontics, Mary was ready for an implant.  Her implant was placed into the proper site and the gums were closed over it. After the initial healing phase, her implant was uncovered and an implant post and provisional crown were attached to the implant. The purpose of the provisional crown was to help create a natural gum line and contours. The final result is a beautiful smile. Steve A young man in his early thirties, was involved in a mountain biking accident nearly 15 years ago. Both of his front teeth were knocked loose. The teeth were repositioned and stabilized. Both of them had done relatively well over the last 10 years. However, one of the roots was beginning to dissolve. Steve was then a candidate for a dental implant.  The failing tooth was removed and an implant was placed immediately. Following a short initial healing phase, an implant post and provisional crown were attached to the implant. Steve no longer has to wear an awkward provisional appliance, although he was still on a soft diet. Once the implant was firmly bonded to the bone, his general dentist placed the final crown. The result is an implant supported crown than blends beautifully with the adjacent teeth and gums. |
At all of our locations, your overall happiness and safety is our number one priority. We will work with your general dentist as well as other dental specialists involved in your care to help you reach optimal results.