Dental Implants
Dental Implants Presentation
To provide you with a better understanding of dental implants, we have provided the following multimedia presentation. Many common questions pertaining to dental implants are discussed.
What are dental implants?
A natural tooth consists of a root and a crown. If you compare natural teeth to implant-supported replacement teeth, you’ll see they have the same basic parts. Both have a crown (the visible part used to chew food). Both have a root that holds the tooth securely under the gum and is anchored into the jaw. The difference is that the implant is made of titanium – the same time-tested material used by surgeons for artificial joints. When you lose a tooth, you lose both the root and the crown. To replace the tooth, the surgeon first replaces the root with a dental implant. We call them “root form implants” because they are about the same size and shape as a tooth root.
Time is allowed for bone to heal and grow around the dental implant. The bone bonds with the titanium, creating a strong foundation for artificial teeth. A support post (abutment) is then placed on the implant and a new replacement tooth (crown) is placed on top of the abutment. In many cases a temporary replacement tooth can be attached to the implant immediately after it is placed. If all of your teeth are missing, a variety of treatment options are available to support the replacement teeth.
Proper bone healing is essential for long term dental implant success. Premature loading or too much force placed on a new dental implant can result in bone loss or even rejection or failure of a dental implant. As materials and methods of care have advanced we have seen even greater success with this care.
“Don’t be afraid to Smile.”
For years I’d felt like a part of my body was missing — because my teeth were. My dentist told me that dental implants would make me feel and look a lot better. OK, I said. Now, I’m thrilled. I can smile, eat anything, and enjoy a good laugh with my friends.
Surgical Advances in Dental Implants
Dr. Marks and Dr. Stone stay up to date on the advances in dental implant care and continue to regularly update our materials and methods used in this care. There is one common thread that has continued over time – excellent proper techniques using the best materials gives the best, longest lasting results. The use of 3D Cone Beam Scanning, the PRGF/PRF technology for bone grafting and the internal conical implant attachment, are technologies, to name a few, that have made implant care reliable and highly successful.
Dental implant placement is a team effort between an oral and maxillofacial surgeon and a restorative dentist. Drs. Marks or Stone performs the actual implant surgery, initial tooth extractions, and bone grafting if necessary. The restorative dentist (your dentist) fits and makes the permanent teeth. Your dentist will also make any temporary prosthesis needed during the implant process.