Dental Implant
A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that an
oral surgeon or periodontal surgeon places in your jaw to anchor
a replacement tooth or bridge. These are an
excellent option for people who have basically good oral and general health
who need a tooth replacement.
Situations where implants are indicated
 | One or more teeth are missing, and the adjacent teeth are intact
or healthy. |
| One or more teeth in the very back of the mouth are missing. A bridge
generally requires supporting teeth on both sides. If one side of the space in
your mouth doesn't have any teeth to support a bridge, this is an excellent
option. |
| When all the teeth in one or both arches are missing. Dental implants can provide support
for a denture, making it more secure and comfortable. |
|
 |
Dental implants are the closest thing to getting your original tooth
back. They feel so natural and, if done well, they look so natural that
you may forget you ever lost a tooth.
When they are properly placed an diligently maintained by
the patient and the hygienist, regularly removing
tartar and other deposits, they can last a lifetime. As our experience
with these devices improves, studies are showing improving long-term success rates.
Types of Dental Implants
Endosteal: This is the most common type. This type is placed
in the bone rather than on top of it.
There are several varieties of endosteal implants. Screws or cylinders are used
most often for single tooth replacements, but blades can be used for replacement of
multiple teeth. Each implant can hold one or more false teeth.
Subperiosteal: These involve a metal framework that is placed on top of the bone
and posts that poke through the gum to hold the false teeth, usually a full denture.
These types are used for patients who had all their teeth extracted
long ago so that their jaw has shrunk, making it difficult or impossible for them
to wear a conventional denture.
Advantages of Dental Implants over Other Techniques for Tooth Replacement
(such as fixed bridges or removable dentures):
| They look and feel like your own teeth. They are anchored in the bone
just like your natural teeth are. |
| With them resting in the bone, they prevent the normal bone resorption
that otherwise always occurs after teeth are missing. This jaw shrinking is a serious
long-term problem for patients who had all their teeth extracted at a young age. |
| If they are done well and esthetically, no one will ever know that you have a
false tooth. |
| They don't require any work on adjacent teeth. By contrast, a
dental bridge requires
preparing the adjacent teeth for crowns. Removable partial dentures require some grinding of
adjacent teeth and the fitting of clasps and rests on them, which can
catch food and promote tooth decay in those places. |
| They are an asset to your confidence. Being permanently anchored, there
is no risk of slippage, or losing or being caught without your teeth. |
| They are usually more expensive than other types
of tooth replacement, and the extra cost often isn't covered by
dental insurance. |
| If the teeth adjacent to the missing tooth
already need dental crowns, there isn't much advantage to a dental implant. |
| Extra visits are usually required, and you
usually have to see a specialist in addition to your regular dentist. |
| There can be a healing delay of several weeks
before you get your new tooth. However, some newer techniques can give you your
false tooth immediately. You can have a tooth extraction and have the implant placed
directly into the open socket on the same day, and then a false tooth also placed
immediately. However, techniques may not be appropriate for
your situation, or your surgeon may not be experienced with them.
You may have to wear a temporary crown or a
dental flipper while you wait for your permanent crown. |
Are You a Candidate for Implants?
If you are in good oral and general health, you can be a candidate for
this procedure. This means that you can tolerate the surgery.
You also need to have adequate bone present at the site of the missing teeth
to support this device.
Pictures of work
We have photographs of
dental implants from Phoenix
cosmetic dentist Dr. Arthur Chal. Look at them and see how real they look.
We also have some photographs of a combination of
implants and
porcelain veneers from New Jersey cosmetic dentist Dr. Richard Champagne.
Cosmetic Considerations
If your missing tooth is in the front of your mouth and shows prominently when you smile, we
recommend being seen by an expert cosmetic dentist.
Cosmetic dental implants require special
artistic training and ability that aren't generally possessed by general dentists or prosthodontists.
Other Treatment Options
If a tooth is
broken at the gumline, it isn't necessary to have it extracted and then have an implant. It may be possible to save this tooth.
Read Dr. Hall's blog posts about
dental implants, where he
answers questions from visitors.
Read an excellent discussion of
dental
implant failure from mynewsmile.com network dentist Dr. Arthur Chal of
Phoenix.
