An implant is a synthetic tooth root in the shape of a post that is surgically placed into the jawbone. The “root” is usually made of titanium: the same material used in many replacement hips and knees, and a metal that is well-suited to pairing with human bone. A replacement tooth is then fixed to the post. The tooth can be either permanently attached or removable. Permanent teeth are more stable and feel more like natural teeth.
The ideal candidate for implants is a non-smoker who has good oral health, including a sufficient amount of bone in the jaw, and healthy gums with no sign of gum disease.
Implants are versatile. If you are only missing one tooth, one implant plus one replacement tooth will do the trick. If you are missing several teeth in a row, a few strategically placed implants can support a permanent bridge (a set of replacement teeth). Similarly, if you have lost all of your teeth, a full bridge or full denture can be permanently fixed in your mouth with a strategic number of implants.
Occasionally, the ideal areas for dental implants do not have sufficient bone or tissue quantity to support the implants. In these cases, it is often necessary to “borrow” bone or tissue from another area of your mouth and graft it into the deficient area. When a tooth needs to be removed due to infection, it is not uncommon to have lost bone around the infected tooth. In these cases, various types of bone grafting can be done at the same time the tooth is removed to facilitate the placement of a dental implant at a later date.
Often the sinuses will enlarge following loss of the upper back teeth. This can preclude placement of dental implants in the upper back areas of the mouth, since the sinus is an air-filled space and dental implants need to be surrounded by solid bone. A sinus lift augmentation/graft is a surgical procedure that restores the sinus cavity to its original size, and replaces the bone that has been lost as a result of the enlarged sinus. This new bone graft typically takes nine to 12 months to heal before the dental implants can be placed into the grafted bone.
We have special software on our computer that allows us to evaluate your dental CT scan in three dimension model of your jaw for bone quality, bone quantity, and bone location, enabling the best possible placement of your dental implants. We can even design a prototype of your new smile all on the computer. This also allows us to work closely and smoothly with by visualized the ideal end result before we even begin treatment.
As a new dental patient, there are a few things you should bring to your appointment to ensure that your visit goes smoothly.
Call us to schedule an appointment. Our team will be able to provide you with all the necessary information you need to know before your visit.
You’ll have to fill out some paperwork, either online or at the clinic’s office. This will include personal and medical history, insurance information, and contact information.
On the day of the appointment, meet the dentist and discuss your dental history. They may perform an oral examination and take x-rays if needed.
Based on your oral examination and dental history, the dentist will develop a dental plan for you, which may include regular cleanings and checkups, restorative procedures, and other treatments.
Schedule regular checkups with your dentist, as recommended by their dental plan, to maintain good oral health.
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