Services We Offer
What Is A Dental Implant?
A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that a specialist places into your jawbone to support a tooth replacement or a bridge.
Implants are very conservative in nature, since they replace missing teeth without damaging adjacent tooth structure. In fact, dental implants preserve your natural anatomy. If a tooth is lost, in time so will be the jawbone associated with that tooth. Teeth in effect hold the jawbone in place- so does an implant if teeth are lost.
Implants not only replace teeth, but also replace the confidence in your smile. Chewing, Speaking, Smiling are all tooth related benefits that implants may restore. Also, if you wear dentures and they are not as secure as they once were, implants may help hold them in place so you forget that you are even wearing them!
Dental implants are so natural-looking and feeling, you may forget you ever lost a tooth. Under proper conditions, such as placement by a specialist and routine periodic maintenence, implants may last a lifetime. Long-term studies continue to show improving success rates for implants.
Am I A Candidate?
The ideal candidate for a dental implant is in good general and oral health. Adequate bone structure in your jaw is needed to support the implant, and the best candidates have healthy gum tissues that are free of periodontal disease. Some medications affect the healing of implants, it is important to completely review your health record with your specialist before the decision to place implants is made.
Dental implants are intimately connected with the jawbone surface and gum tissues in the mouth. Adequate records (such as the 3-D CT image shown here) must be taken before a proper diagnosis is made, and molds will be taken to determine the ideal placement of teeth on top of the implant body.
Our multispecialty team works together to perform the ideal treatment in every case, knowing that there is an anatomic limitation to surgical placement and that ulitmately it is the functioning and esthetics of replacement teeth that you are interested in. An oral surgeon is the most qualified specialist for placement of an implant, and a prosthodontist directs how and where implants are placed in order to achieve the ideal functional and esthetic outcome.
Bridge vs. Implant
The replacement of a single missing tooth generally has two options: an implant or a bridge. 20 years ago, a bridge would be recommended. Since the improvement in technology, and the advancement in practicioner education and skill, now implants are much more widely recommended.
In the case of a bridge, the adjacent teeth must be shaved down in order to have adequate structural integrity to hold the missing tooth (pontic) in place and to make the teeth supporting the bridge durable and esthetic. If the teeth have large restorations, caries, or an esthetic defect already, then a bridge is often the recommended treatment.
In the case where there is a tooth missing and the teeth on either side are in relatively good shape, and there is adequate bone structure to support an implant then an implant is usually recommended.
Implant Advantages
There is no perfect man-made restoration, and there is nothing better than a virgin tooth with no defect. In the case of replacing missing teeth, the option is either an IMPLANT, a BRIDGE, or a PARTIAL DENTURE. Implants are the far superior option due to patient comfort, conservation of tissue, and maintenence.
There is a great deal of flexibility in the uses of implants. Dental implants may replace a single tooth, replace multiple teeth with a small bridge, replace all of the teeth in the arch with a full-arch prosthethc, or make a denture more secure. The addition of dental implants to the clinicians resources has dramatically improved the patient’s quality of life and eliminated unnessary dental treatment by conserving natural tooth structure when possible.
Dental implants offer a great option in terms of simplicity, durability, and avaliability of treatment options. Studies have shown that an implant, when properly maintained can last a lifetime. Implants are also generally maintenence free for many, many years. Tooth restorations placed over the implant are beautiful and natural looking and look, feel, and function as if they were your own teeth.
Consequences
If a tooth is extracted that has teeth next to or across from it, negative consequences to your dentition will develop. As seen in the x-ray to the left, drifting or extrusion occurs to the opposing tooth over time into empty spaces following extractions.
Teeth like neighbors. To maintain proper alignment of adjacent teeth there must be an implant, bridge or partial denture replacing the missing tooth. Implant restorations are the optimal treatment due to longevity, predictability and maintenance.
The Process
After proper diagnosis and all treatment options and financial options have been discussed, you will determine whether implants are the right decision for you. When you decide that this treatment option is the right decision, molds of your teeth and a diagnostic wax-up will be made. This information will direct the location anatomically of the implant placement, and predict the outcome of the restoration.
The surgical process is relatively simple. A series of drills (or osteotomies) are used to prepare the site for the implant. These steps are fast, painless and require a skilled hand to place the implants in the proper orientation. Our ORAL SURGEON and PROSTHODONTIST have current education and superior skill in the placement and restoration of dental implants.
The Cost
Dental implants have the illusion of being expensive and ‘cost-prohibitave’. Although every case is different, we try to minimize the out-of-pocket cost to every patient. Some insurance plans will partially cover implant restorations, our treatment coordinator will work with your insurance company to maximize your benefit.
In the long run, Dental Implants may save you money. When it comes to the predictability and longevity of dental implants vs. very complicated root canal, surgical crown lengthening, and post/crown restorations, an implant may actually be less expensive IMMEDIATELY, and will not need a costly major overhaul if the root canal treatment fails. Discuss these options at your next visit and we will clarify if an implant would be right for your situation.
We utilize top of the line implant systems such as HIOSSEN and NOBEL BIOCARE, and we have been using the same boutique laboratories for many years. Our technicians understand our demand for quality, esthetics and anatomic form.
With the level of training and expertise, our specialists are UNDERPRICED, with fees competitive with most general dentists’ fees. We strive to provide each patient with superior treatment at an affordable price. When you visit our office and meet our specialists you will understand the difference!
Post-Treatment
Dental implant placement is a surgical process. We try to make it as pleasant of an experience as possible. The surgical process itself is painless due to local anesthesia, but afterwards there may be some minor swelling and soreness. You will very quickly return to normal function in a day or two following the surgical process.
Antibiotics and pain medications are given to minimize the post-operative discomfort. You will be seen for a 1-week follow up after your procedure to check your healing process.
We have a dentist on call 24/7. If there are questions or concerns in off-hours, please call our office to reach the on-call doctor.
