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Dental Implants
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, knowing that teeth appear natural and that
facial contours will be preserved. Patients with dental implants
can smile with confidence.
What are Dental Implants?
The
implants themselves are tiny titanium posts 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. The bone bonds with the titanium creating a strong
foundation for artificial teeth. Small posts, or abutments, are
then attached to the implant and protrude through the gums.
These posts provide stable anchors for artificial replacement
teeth or caps.
The presence of the implant in the bone helps preserve bone
structure and prevent bone deterioration, or atrophy, which
occurs over time in areas where teeth are missing.
Implants help
preserve facial structure, preventing bone deterioration that
occurs when teeth are missing.
The Surgical
Procedure
The placement of dental implants
involves one or two surgical procedures, depending which method
is best for you. In the two phase surgical procedure, implants
are placed under the gum tissue within your jawbone. For the
first three to six months following surgery, the implants are
beneath the surface of the gums gradually bonding with the
jawbone. 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 second phase begins. Your doctor will uncover
the implants and attach the abutments which will act as anchors
for the artificial teeth and help form a new gum line collar for
the future artificial tooth. These posts protrude through the
gums and will eventually accept the artificial tooth (cap) when
it is made. When the artificial teeth are placed, these posts
will not be seen. The entire procedure usually takes six to
eight months. Most patients experience minimal disruption in
their daily life.
The single surgical method
combines the placement of the implant with the immediate
placement of the abutment. This saves a second surgical
procedure, and allows the gum line collar to mature longer
before placing the final artificial tooth (cap). Dr. Noble,
Morris, Barbick, Beehner, Haden, Jacobs, or Suden will determine
which plan is best for you.
Surgical
Advances
Using the most recent advances in
dental implant technology, the surgeons of Oral Facial Surgery
Institute are able to offer a variety of implant treatments
including single stage implants. Additionally, there are
situations where implants can be placed at the same time as a
tooth extraction, further minimizing the number of surgical
procedures. Advances in dental implant technology have made it
possible, in select cases, to extract teeth and place implants
with caps in one visit. This procedure, called “immediate
loading”, greatly simplifies the surgical process. Your doctor
will discuss whether this could be appropriate for you.
Who actually
performs the implant placement?
Typically, implants are a team
effort between an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon and a
Restorative Dentist. While your surgeon at Oral Facial Surgery
Institute performs any tooth extractions or bone grafting, if
necessary, and the implant surgery; a restorative dentist (your
dentist) fits and makes the permanent prosthesis (the artificial
tooth or cap). Your dentist will also make any temporary teeth
needed during the implant healing process.
What types of
prostheses are available?
Single tooth – Replaced with a
single crown on a single implant.
Multiple teeth – Replaced with
a partial (multiple crowns fused together) on two or more
implants.
All teeth – Replaced with a
complete denture (multiple crowns fused together) and held in
place with multiple implants by various attachment
methods.
A complete dental prosthesis
(fixed bridge) replaces all the teeth in your upper or lower
jaw. The number of implants varies depending upon which type of
complete prosthesis (removable or fixed) is recommended. A
removable prosthesis (over denture) attaches to a bar or ball in
socket attachment, whereas a fixed prosthesis is permanent and
removable only by the dentist. Drs. Noble, Morris, Barbick,
Beehner, Haden, Jacobs, and Suden perform in-office implant
surgery in their operating suites, optimizing the level of
sterility while maintaining patient comfort and affordability.
They also practice inpatient hospital implant surgery for
patients who have special medical or anesthetic needs or for
those who need extensive bone grafting from the jaw, hip, or
tibia.
Why dental
implants?
When you lose several teeth –
whether it’s a new situation or something you have lived with
for years – chances are you never become fully accustomed to
losing such a vital part of yourself. Dental implants can be
your doorway to renewed self-confidence and peace of mind. A
Swedish scientist and orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Per-Ingvar
Branemark, developed the concept (titanium implants in bone) for
oral rehabilitation more than thirty-five years ago. With his
pioneering research, Dr. Branemark opened the door to a lifetime
of renewed comfort and self-confidence for millions of
individuals facing the frustration and embarrassment of tooth
loss.
Why would you
select dental implants over more traditional types of
restorations?
Conventional treatment for a
missing tooth requires adjacent teeth to be crowned in order to
‘bridge’ the gap. This requires removing tooth structure on
the ‘innocent bystander’ tooth or teeth. Another treatment
alternative is the removable ‘partial’ which may be
inconvenient or embarrassing during meals or other activities,
and needs to be removed at bedtime. The research and advances in
technology that have occurred over the last 20 years make dental
implants very predictable and the long-term prognosis is
excellent when they are used properly. In addition, the implant
in the bone helps preserve bone structure and prevent bone
deterioration, or atrophy, which occurs over time in areas where
teeth are missing.
Are you a
candidate for implants?
If you are considering implants,
your mouth must be examined thoroughly and your medical and
dental history reviewed. If you mouth is not ideal for implants,
methods for improving the outcome, such as bone grafting, may be
recommended.
What type of
anesthesia is used?
The majority of dental implants
and bone graft can be performed in the office under local
anesthesia, with or without general anesthesia.
Do Implants
need special care?
Once the implants are in place,
they will serve you well for many years if you take care of them
and keep your mouth healthy. This means taking the time for good
oral hygiene (brushing and flossing) and keeping regular
appointments with your dental specialists.
The Oral Facial Surgery Institute
has four convenient locations to meet your needs.
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