Dental Implants
Consider Dental Implants
If you want a dental restoration that looks and feels as though it’s really part of your mouth, dental implants may be right for you. Used successfully for many years, dental implants anchor prosthetic (artificial) teeth into your jawbone to provide a secure, stable fit. Implants can meet your individual needs whether you’re missing all, a few, or only one of your teeth.
How Dental Implants Work
Being able to confidently eat and smile again with Dental Implants has created some of our most satisfied patients. We also use the latest tissue engineering methods such as Stem Cells and Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) to help develop a more predictable result.
Our process starts with obtaining a CBCT cone beam (3-D X-Ray) and impressions of your teeth to evaluate your particular situation and assist in treatment planning your case.
Do you avoid laughing aloud, smiling, or eating in public because your dentures may slip or a space left by missing teeth may show? If so, dental implants, may improve the way you feel about your teeth. No matter how many teeth you’re missing, dental implants may make it possible for you to eat and speak with comfort and confidence again.
Since it will take even healthy tissue some time to “grow” new blood vessels into a graft, the amount of tissue which can be transferred is relatively limited. Until the vascular in growth occurs, the graft must be able to survive on the nourishment provided by diffusion from within the bed. Tissue layers will then follow.
Determining Your Eligibility for Dental Implants
When Teeth Are Missing
You may have spaces in your mouth where teeth were lost or removed or never grew in. Although these spaces may be embarrassing traditional dental restorations aren’t always the best solution. You may not want to sacrifice the structure of the surrounding good teeth to bridge a space. Oftentimes removing a complete or partial denture at night is inconvenient. Added to this is the discomfort and possible embarrassment caused by a denture that slips.
Your Dental Evaluation
Knowing your dental history helps us and your restorative dentist to decide if you’re a good candidate for implants. A dental exam and tests help determine where the implants should be anchored in your jaw. After developing a treatment plan we will present you with the information you’ll need to decide if implants are right for you.
Your Dental Exam
Your surgical specialist examines the structure and health of your mouth, jaws, head, and neck. The restorative dentist studies the shape of your mouth and bite (the way your teeth meet when you chew). He or she also makes models (plaster molds) of your upper and lower jaws to reveal their exact alignment. If you wear a complete or partial denture, your restorative dentist may also evaluate the way it fits in your mouth.
Diagnostic Tests
X-rays and other types of imaging tests provide information on the health of your teeth and jaws. A pantographic x-ray provides a view of your entire mouth and can indicate bone problems. Scans produced by x-ray topography may help us determine whether or not you have enough jawbone to support a dental implant. If you have an ongoing medical condition, such as diabetes, you may also have blood tests to make sure your condition is under control before treatment begins.
Your Treatment Plan
X-rays and other types of imaging tests provide information on the health of your teeth and jaws. A pantographic x-ray provides a view of your entire mouth and can indicate bone problems. Scans produced by x-ray topography may help us determine whether or not you have enough jawbone to support a dental implant. If you have an ongoing medical condition, such as diabetes, you may also have blood tests to make sure your condition is under control before treatment begins.
Preparing for Surgery
Most dental implant surgeries are performed in a dental office. Be sure to wear comfortable clothes and arrange for a family member or friend to drive you home. Depending on the type of anesthesia used, you may be asked to take oral antibiotics, brush your teeth, and rinse with an antiseptic mouthwash to help prevent infection.
During Surgery
You will be given IV medications to help you relax or to make you sleepy. Then, you’ll be given an anesthetic to numb the area where your surgical specialist will be working. You may hear sounds or feel vibrations during the surgery. If you are uncomfortable at any time, tell your surgeon. The entire procedure may take a couple of hours.
After Surgery
After surgery, you’ll probably rest awhile, bite on gauze to stop any minor bleeding, and hold a cold pack to your face to reduce swelling. You can go home as soon as you feel able. At home, follow our surgical specialist’s instructions about taking pain medications and antibiotics. Drink only clear liquids for the rest of the day. By the next morning, you may be able to eat soft foods.
Caring for Your Mouth
Use a soft-bristled brush to clean both your teeth and gums. Be sure to follow any special instructions on cleaning near your incisions. To aid healing, you may be asked not to wear your complete or partial denture for the next several days.
Follow up Care
Over the next several months, our surgical specialists will routinely examine your mouth and monitor how well your jaw is healing. If you wear a complete or partial denture, the restorative dentist may adjust it so you can wear it during the rest of the healing process.
Making Your New Teeth
Your restorative dentist begins making your new teeth when your implants have healed. Several visits may be spent analyzing the new structure of your mouth. Then, it may take several more weeks or months to fabricate the new teeth.