What are Dental Implants?
A dental implant is a small titanium screw that serves as the replacement for the root portion of a missing natural tooth. Dental implants can be placed in either the upper or lower jaws. Due to the biocompatible properties of titanium, a dental implant fuses with the bone and becomes a good anchor for the replacement tooth. Dental implants can be used as solutions for replacing single or multiple missing teeth.
There are a number of reasons why you should consider a dental implant. Without the root structure of a natural tooth present, the jawbone can shrink. This shrinkage will make your face look older than it is. There are no loose parts to worry about losing. The dental implant is stable and comfortable. No adjustment is needed after placement. Normally, it will serve its owner for life.
Anyone who is missing one or more teeth due to injury, disease or tooth decay may be a candidate for dental implants. The determining factor is the amount of available bone. Your dentist is the best person to evaluate whether dental implants are a viable solution for you.
Today, state-of-the-art guided surgical techniques are convenient alternatives to place dental implants and allow you to have the dental implant placed in a single session using keyhole surgery. This new method has significantly simplified the procedure for both patients and dentists. The major advantage of the guided surgical technique is the minimal amount of manipulation of the soft tissue due to keyhole surgery. This significantly reduces the healing time and the discomfort normally associated with traditional dental implant surgical techniques. Learn more about the Chao Pinhole Surgical Technique here.
The conventional process can take from three to six months. First, the dentist places the dental implant, which is left for three to six months to heal and integrate with the jawbone. During the healing period, your are given a temporary prosthesis until the permanent crown is put in place.
The procedure chosen depends on several factors, such as your dental health, the number of teeth involved and which teeth are replaced. These factors will also determine the total number of visits to the dentist throughout the treatment period.
With any surgery, there can be some discomfort. Placing one implant normally causes less discomfort than placing several. Anesthesia and patient sedation are commonly administered to help reduce any discomfort during the dental implant process. Most patients report that they were much more comfortable following the procedure than they had anticipated. Your doctor will prescribe medications to ease any discomfort that may occur.
The fee for tooth replacement with dental implants depends on several factors, including the number of teeth being replaced and the number of dental implants required to support your replacement teeth. Some additional procedures may be required prior to the placement of your dental implants to ensure the long-term health of your dental implants. To obtain a specific fee estimate, it is necessary to have a doctor examine your mouth. After a thorough diagnostic examination, your dentist will recommend the treatment that is best for you.
What We Offer
Single Tooth Replacement
When both the tooth and root are damaged, the best permanent replacement is a dental implant in conjunction with a ceramic crown. This solution both looks and functions just like a natural tooth.
In this case, a so-called one-piece implant is used. This means that all components are installed as a single unit, resulting in immediately full functioning teeth, shorter treatment time and minimized pain.
- Immediately functioning teeth
- Excellent esthetic result
- Life long, stable solution
Full Arch Replacement
When all teeth are missing or in such condition that they need to be replaced, a fixed bridge anchored to dental implants is the best permanent solution
Before dental implants, there was no fixed solution available for people who lost all of their teeth. Today, it is possible to replace a full jaw with dental implants and a fixed bridge that results in a permanent, stable and highly esthetic solution.
- Lets you eat and function like natural teeth
- A solid, stable solution that will serve you for life
- Preserves your facial appearance and prevents bone loss
Removable Full Denture
This is a denture that is loosely placed on top of the gum to cover the lost teeth. This alternative has no real advantages – except for its low price and easy installation.
A removable full denture is connected to either a ball or bar attachment, which in turn is anchored on two or more implants in the front part of the jaw.
The implants help keep the denture in place and provide better function and comfort. Cost is usually the reason why this solution is chosen over a fixed bridge.
The disadvantages include: discomfort in eating, poor esthetics, affected speech, and sore gums from denture movement. Moreover, a full denture placed in the upper jaw severely reduces the sense of taste.
How We Do It.
Single Tooth Replacement
Multiple appointments are needed in order to check the healing, bone integration and stability of the implant before the crown is made. The first appointment will be the placement. During this appointment the patient will be given dental anesthesia, a small portion of the tissue will be removed that is the same size as the implant. The implant placement usually takes about 20-40 minutes from start to finish. A final x-ray will be taken to check the alignment. In many cases the patient does not need a suture. If a removable partial, Nesbit or flipper was made to replace the space of the tooth, it will be delivered at this time and if any adjustments are needed they will be made at this time as well. The doctor will then place a cover screw (a flat screw on top of the implant to maintain and stabilize tissue during the healing process), or a healing abutment that sits over the top of the implant, in most cases the abutment is taller than the tissue, this is to protect the implant and keep the tissue from growing over the top of the implant. If a cover screw is placed, a visit will be needed before the final impression visit. During that appointment an x-ray will be taken, dental anesthesia may be needed in order to push the tissue away from the implant. The doctor may then place a healing abutment at this time to help keep the tissue away from the implant in order to take the final impressions at the next visit.
The next visit will be a check x-ray around 2 and a half months after placement to check the integration into the bone. At this time if everything looks like it is healing properly we will take an impression for the final implant crown. During this time a shade will be chosen to match the teeth surrounding it and give it the most natural appearance.
The final visit will be to deliver the implant crown. No dental anesthesia will be needed during this appointment. The healing abutment will be removed, implant crown will be screwed in with the proper instruments. The most common implants crowns are screw retained. In order to properly place and secure this type of crown, after the final tighten of the internal screw, a tooth colored composite resin will be placed on top. This is a more convenient approach to removing the crown if adjustments need to be made or the internal screw becomes loose.
Full Arch Replacement
The treatment procedure and number of visits is largely dependent on the specific conditions. But all in all, 8-10 visits should be enough to have a fixed bridge installed. Most patients report that they were much more comfortable following the procedure than they had anticipated.
Removable Full Denture
The procedure is similar to the single implant process. The first visit will be a consult to go over the number of implants that will be needed in order to keep denture stabile. A full 3D scan will be needed to show the patients jaw bone, sinuses and teeth alignment in order to correctly pick out the placement of each implant. Also, impressions will be taken to make an immediate denture during the time of the surgery to give patients teeth during their implant process. This denture will not be the final denture. The fit may be loose and uncomfortable. An immediate reline is placed in order to help with the fit of the denture. A reline is a soft material that is placed inside the denture and worn to help create a suction like affect to keep the denture in placed. In most cases adhesive is given to the patient to help secure the hold.
There will be many appointments in between placements and final impressions. Try ins of different kinds are needed to confirm teeth and midline alignment, the correct bite placement, along with the shape and the fit.
The final visit will be to deliver the denture. At this visit we will remove all the abutments and make any final adjustments. Final pictures will be taken at this time along with instructions for proper denture care.
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We file as an out-of-network provider with most dental PPO policies.
