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Dental Implants: Are they right for you?
I lf
you are missing one or more teeth and would like
to restore your ability to smile, speak and eat
with comfort and confidence, then dental implants
may be right for you.
Perhaps
your dentures don't fit as securely or comfortably
as they once did. Perhaps you hide your smile because
of spaces from missing teeth. Or, perhaps you have
loose teeth that need to be stabilized after treatment
of advanced gum disease. If any of these situations
keep you from feeling good about yourself and your
smile, dental implants may be a solution for you.
Technological advancements in dental materials and
techniques have improved the success rate of implants,
enabling many patients to enjoy comfort and confidence
in their oral health. Now, you can have implant
replacement teeth that look, feel and function just
like your natural teeth. You'll be able to enjoy
many of the foods you now have to avoid without
fear, discomfort or embarrassment . And you'll find
yourself smiling more naturally and with confidence
again.
2.
What are dental implants?
| Dental
implants are artificial substitutes for natural
tooth roots. The implants- small anchors shaped
like screws or cylinders- are placed into
the jawbone. Replacement teeth are attached
to the part of the implant that projects through
the gums. Used for many years, dental implants
are effective, natural-looking replacements
for missing teeth. Most specialists in dental
implants work as a team- the surgeon surgically
prepares your jaw and a prosthodontist, the
restorative specialist, makes your prosthesis
(replacement teeth). The implant systems which
are used to achieve "osseointegration"
provide you, the patient, with an increased
probability of success. |
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3.
What is osseointegration?
Osseointegrotion
is the direct contact between the implant surface
(predominately titanium oxide) and the surrounding
bone. The union of titanium implant and living jaw
bone is the scientific achievement which restores
the function of the "tooth-less" jaw to
an almost natural state.
4.
What do dental implants do?
Dental implants can
provide non-removable tooth replacement in the toothless
jaw. Dental implants can provide support for a full
denture, making it more secure and comfortable.
Dental implants can also support a fixed bridge,
eliminating the need for a removable partial denture.
Of course dental implants can also replace just
one missing tooth. Instead of cutting the adjacent
teeth (and risk root canal therapy!) as we did years
ago, we can now avoid connecting the teeth and replace
only the one tooth that is missing!
5.
Would I benefit from a dental implant?
Although
dental implants have brought a comfortable, confident
smile to many patients, they are not for everyone.
The ideal candidate has good general health, good
oral health and adequate bone in the jaw to support
the implant. Equally important, the ideal candidate
is willing to commit to conscientious oral hygiene
and regular dental visits. We can help you decide
if a dental implant Is right for you. Essential
to the decision is a comprehensive dental examination.
Dr. Doundoulakis will review your medical and dental
history, thoroughly examine your oral tissues and
supporting bone in the jaw, and check the way your
teeth fit together when you bite. X-rays and models
will be taken and analyzed, perhaps with the help
of a computer. After this careful examination, our
office and the surgeon will talk with you about
dental implant options. You should discuss the benefits,
risks, and possible alternative treatments.
6.
What are the advantages of dental implants?
Dental
implants can support replacement teeth in much the
some way as tooth roots support natural teeth. Dental
implants provide an alternative to a denture that
wobbles, clicks or causes pain. Dental implants
can also prevent embarrassment about spaces from
missing teeth. You can enjoy your favorite foods
again. You can smile and speak with confidence.
When
reputable dental implant systems are placed by trained
dental specialists, they can hove a probable success
rate of over 90 percent. In fact, with effective
oral care at home and regular dental visits, dental
implants have lasted as long as 20 years and may
last a lifetime.
7.
What are the disadvantages?
A dental
implant requires a greater financial investment
than a removable bridge or conventional denture.
On the other hand, an implant can offer advantages
in terms of comfort and appearance benefits that
many patients find well worth the cost. A dental
implant also requires an investment in time, perhaps
three to nine months from start to finished. If
you consider that implants have lasted as long as
20 years and can last a lifetime, the investment
in time is quite reasonable. As with any surgical
procedure, dental implants involve a risk of infection.
Occasionally, an implant may loosen and require
replacement. Because each person is unique, implant
success cannot be guaranteed. In
some instances the time frame for treatment can
be shortened considerably, with the final teeth
delivered in only a few short months from start
to finished!
8.
What is the treatment like?
The
treatment will vary depending upon the type of implant
and the health of the patient. For example, many
patients can receive implant treatment in the dental
office. A brief hospital stay may be necessary for
other patients. The first step is placing the implants
into the jawbone. After this surgical treatment,
the bone in the jaw attaches to the implants, holding
them firmly in place. The attachment of bone to
the implant usually takes three to six months. Second,
small metal posts or cylinders are attached to the
implant, projecting through the gums. After this
second surgical treatment, the gums take several
weeks to heal. Third, replacement teeth are created
and securely attached to the small metal posts or
cylinders. Several fittings of the new teeth may
be needed. After treatment is completed, brushing,
flossing and visiting your dentist regularly are
essential to the success of the dental implant.
9.
Will I have to keep my dentures out during the 3-6
month healing phase?
You
should be able to wear your partial dentures or
full dentures after the surgical procedure is done.
The basic appearance that you have with your full
dentures or removable partial dentures should be
similar to how things looked before the implants
were done.
10.
How quick will I get my implant teeth?
With
many implant cases, 3-6 months' wait is necessary
because of the healing action that occurs between
the bone and the titanium oxide implant surface.
There is an interchange on a cellular level between
the titanium oxide and the bone which in turn allows
for the attachment. One may find that this time
(3-6 months) may increase towards a longer period
of evaluation to allow for further healing. This
is based on the fact that healing and cellular changes
will continue to occur even after the 3 month period. But
recently, much has been done on placing implants,
loading them almost immediately, and then delivering
replacement teeth within a few DAYS! For
these cases, patients can go from NO teeth to FIXED
(non-removable) teeth immediately!
11.
Is it possible that the bone could be surgically
exposed and no implants done?
It
is possible that in rare instances the surgeon may
find that once the bone is uncovered, there are
variations in bone contour or health which would
preclude implants from being placed. In rare instances,
surgical implant sites are actually drilled before
this can be determined. However, this is the exception,
not the routine. If
a CATSCAN is recommended before the surgical procedure,
this possibility is minimized or eliminated.
For
more information about dental implants or Dr. Doundoulakis,
please call us at (212) 517-3365 or send
us an email.
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