The ideal candidate for a dental implant is in good general and oral health. Adequate bone in your jaw is needed to support the implant. Dental implants are intimately connected with the gum tissues and underlying bone in the mouth. The best candidates have healthy gum tissues that are free of periodontal disease. Smoking is detrimental to healing but is not an absolute contraindication. Your dentist can determine if you are a good candidate for this procedure.

What is treatment like?

Depending on your specific condition and the type of implant chosen, your dentist will create a treatment plan tailored to meet your needs. The total time for treatment can range anywhere between six weeks to over a year depending on the complexity of treatment. It will be important for you to work as a team with your dentist to reach your treatment goals.

What can I expect after placement of dental implant supported restorations?

As you know, your own teeth require conscientious at-home oral care and regular dental visits. Dental implants are like your own teeth and will require the same care. In order to keep your implant clean and plaque-free, brushing and flossing still apply!

If you are missing a single tooth, one implant and one crown can replace it. The dental implant replaces the root and the attached crown replaces the visible tooth. In addition to looking and functioning like a natural tooth, a dental implant replaces a single tooth without sacrificing the health of neighboring teeth.

The other common treatment for the loss of a single tooth, a tooth-supported fixed bridge, requires that adjacent teeth be ground down to support the cemented bridge. Because a dental implant will replace your tooth root, the bone is better preserved. With a bridge, some of the bone that previously surrounded the tooth can begin to melt away (resorb). Dental implants integrate with your jawbone, helping to keep the bone healthy and intact. The stresses on the implant actually strengthen the surrounding bone. Instead of bone atrophy, the bone becomes denser and does not resorb.

In the long term, a single implant can be more esthetic and easier to keep clean than a bridge. Bridges need tricky flossing devices to thread the floss in between the anchoring teeth. A single implant crown can be cleaned with the same floss used on natural teeth. Gums can recede around a bridge, leaving a visible defect when the metal base or collar of the bridge becomes exposed. Resorbed bone beneath the bridge can lead to an unattractive smile. Also, the cement holding the bridge in place can wash out, allowing bacteria to decay the teeth that anchor the bridge

If you are missing several teeth, implant-supported bridges may be an option. Dental implants will replace your missing tooth roots and the restorations on them will replace the teeth themselves. You will experience restored confidence in your smile and your ability to chew and speak.

Dental implants provide several advantages over other teeth replacement options. In addition to looking and functioning like natural teeth, implant-supported bridges replace teeth without support from adjacent natural teeth. Other common treatments for the loss of several teeth, such as fixed bridges or removable partial dentures, are dependent on support from adjacent teeth. In addition, because implant-supported bridges will replace some of your tooth roots, your bone is better preserved. With a fixed bridge or removable partial denture, the bone that previously surrounded the tooth root may begin to resorb (deteriorate). Dental implants integrate with your jawbone, helping to keep the bone healthy and intact.

In the long term, implants are esthetic, functional and comfortable. Gums and bone can recede around a fixed bridge or removable partial denture, leaving a visible defect. Resorbed bone beneath bridges or removable partial dentures can lead to a collapsed, unattractive smile. The cement holding bridges in place can wash out, allowing bacteria to decay teeth that anchor the bridge. In addition, the removable partial denture can move around in the mouth and reduce your ability to eat certain foods.

If you are missing all of your teeth, an implant supported full bridge or full denture can replace them. Dental implants will replace both your lost natural teeth and some of the roots.

What are the advantages of implant-supported full bridges and implant-supported dentures over conventional dentures? Dental implants provide several advantages over other teeth replacement options. In addition to looking and functioning like natural teeth, implant-supported full bridges or dentures are designed to be long lasting. Implant supported full bridges and dentures are more comfortable and stable than conventional dentures, allowing you to retain a more natural biting and chewing capacity. In addition, because implant-supported full bridges and dentures will replace some of your tooth roots, your bone is better preserved. With conventional dentures, the bone that previously surrounded the tooth roots begins to resorb (deteriorate). Dental implants integrate with your jawbone, helping to keep the bone healthy and intact.

In the long term, implants can be more esthetic and easier to maintain than conventional dentures. The loss of bone that accompanies conventional dentures leads to recession of the jawbone and a collapsed, unattractive smile; Conventional dentures make it difficult to eat certain foods.

Often, a second step is necessary to uncover the implant and attach an extension. Your gums will be allowed to heal for a couple of weeks following this procedure. Some implant systems are designed for a single stage and do not require this second step. These systems use an implant that incorporates the extension piece. Your dentist and oral surgeon will advise you on which system is best for you. A metal post, called an abutment, completes the foundation on which your new tooth will be placed.

Finally, a replacement tooth called a crown will be created for you by your dentist and attached to the abutment. After a short time, you will experience restored confidence in your smile and your ability to chew and speak.

OTHER ADJUNCTIVE PROCEDURES

RIDGE MODIFICATION: A key to implant success is the amount and quality of the bone where the implant is to be placed. Deformities in the upper or lower jaw secondary to trauma, surgical extraction or gum disease can leave you with inadequate bone in which to place dental implants.