Dental Implants: Tooth Implants
Dental implants have come a long way over the years in both technique and appearance. Dental implants, while one of the greatest advancements in dentistry, need to be administered by a skilled and qualified surgeon if it's to be a safe, predictable and painless procedure.
Read more about dental implants.
Learn how to choose the right surgeon.
Types of Dental Implants
Although there are various types of dental implants, the most common and successful form of dental implants available today are "root form" dental implants, which go beyond basic tooth replacement and essentially replace the root of a tooth as well.Natural tooth roots not only help support the tooth, but also help stimulate the surrounding jaw bone. This constant stimulation helps to keep the jaw bone intact which in turn helps support the teeth and the facial structures.
When teeth are missing, the jaw bone that previously supported those teeth melts away, or deteriorates. The eventual impact of this bone can include collapsed facial profiles, lost lip support, increased wrinkles around the mouth and the appearance of a pointed nose and chin that are too close together.
The Miracle of Dental Implants
Dental implants are artificial tooth roots. Because the dental implant is placed into the jaw bone, it will help stimulate the bone just as a natural tooth root does, which then keeps the jaw bone intact and prevents it from deteriorating over time.
Not only will this provide a strong foundation for biting and chewing, but the dental implants will also allow for the replacement of the entire missing tooth, which was never before possible. Thanks to years of progress and improved techniques, dental implants will look, feel and function like natural teeth when done properly.
Who is a Candidate for Dental Implants?
Anyone who is missing a tooth or multiple teeth, or will be going to miss a tooth should consider dental implants as an alternative to other available options. It is important to do a complete examination and evaluation to make sure you are medically healthy to undergo dental implant treatment.Other factors that need to be carefully considered are the availability of the jaw bone, the health or your gums, and the relationship of your teeth to each other. All of these factors are part of a comprehensive a thorough examination that needs to be done at your initial consultation visit.
What are the Advantages of Dental Implants?
There are numerous benefits to dental implants over conventional replacements or procedures, some of these benefits are:Dental implants help preserve your jaw bone
The human jaw bone maintains its integrity through proper stimulation from the roots of the teeth. When a tooth is missing that portion of the jaw bone atrophies and wastes away. This is why denture wearers have the “sunken” appearance. Dental implants help in maintaining the integrity of the jaw bone over time.
Dental implants help save the adjacent teeth
Traditional replacements like dental bridges, or removable partial dentures (also known as partials or Valplast ®) permanently damage the teeth adjacent to the missing tooth space. Dental implants are independent of the neighboring teeth and will not damage or affect your natural teeth.
Dental implants are a lifetime restoration
Properly placed and maintained dental implants can last you a lifetime. Crowns, bridges, and partials only have an average lifespan of 5 to 10 years. In the long run a properly placed and maintained dental implant can actually help save you money, time and aggravation.
Dental implants feel natural
Dental implants feel and function just like your own teeth. There are no restrictions on the types of food you can eat. Many find that they can return to eating the kinds of foods they've missed for years with dental implants. With other alternatives, especially with removable partial dentures and dentures, most patients find that they cannot chew harder foods.
Dental implants can give you an internal “facelift”
Because dental implants restore the health and the density of your jaw bones, and because your facial muscles can be used properly again most patients notice a visible tightening of their face, and can regain their youthful appearance.
For more on the benefits of dental implants, read "Dental Implant Benefits".
Will My Dental Implants Be Done Properly?
This will often come down to the periodontist or implant specialist you rely on to do the work. Basically, you need to consider three different aspects before moving forward with dental implants.
In most states in the United States, any dentist can declare him or herself to be a "dental implant specialist", even without proper training. In fact, a general dentist could attend a weekend course and be placing dental implants upon his or her return to the office. You can do a simple online search for dental implant courses and you can see for yourself the availability and extent of these courses. The intent of most of these courses are to help the dentists generate more profit by giving them the false sense that they are adequately trained to place dental implants.
The last thing you need is an underqualified dental professional treating you with inferior dental implants. When you choose Dr. Miles Madison at Beverly Hills Periodontics and Dental Implants for your dental implant needs, you can rest assured knowing that Dr. Miles Madison is a well qualified and nationally recognized professional.
Aside from completing advanced post-graduate training in dental implant surgery, where advanced surgical skills are taught and honed, he and his entire staff are also skilled at evaluating you so that complications are minimized.
It is also very important to know how many dental implant procedures your potential surgeon successfully completes on a weekly, monthly, or annual basis. Dental implant specialists that only do a few dental implants each year are not experienced and skilled enough to provide the level of treatment and ongoing care that you'll need. Dr. Madison's 20 years of experience in dental implantology gives him a level of mastery that is rare to find.
2. The quality of follow up care
You need to know that your dental implant surgeon will be available to provide ongoing care after you receive your dental implants. With Beverly Hills Periodontics and Dental Implants on your side, we'll see you through the procedure from start to finish and beyond. Dental implants need to maintained and cared for like natural teeth, and periodontists have a proven track record of helping their patients maintain their teeth and their dental implants.
3. The quality of the dental implant
The type (brand) and the quality of the dental implant used is extremely important for long term success. There are hundreds of dental implant manufacturers, but only a handful have a history of success.
As your Beverly Hills dental implant surgeon of choice, we only use proven performers so that you receive the very best dental implants. We don't use cheap or undocumented brands. After all, dental implants will be with you your entire life, shouldn't you have the very best in both care and dental implant materials?
What's Involved with Dental Implant Process?
1. Initial Consultation
The first step is an examination and consultation. This usually involves a careful evaluation of your over all health and a thorough evaluation of your teeth and gums. Your teeth and jaws are further studied by x-rays. If you have already lost a significant amount of bone, a 3 dimensional CT scan may be also be taken of the area of the missing tooth or teeth.
We will also be evaluating the type of replacement teeth that will best meet your needs. Finally a treatment plan is drawn up, and reviewed with you. We ensure that your fully understand your treatment before you commit to it.
2. Dental Implant Placement Procedure
The dental implants are placed in the bone using a gentle surgical technique. The area that will be accepting the dental implant is gently prepared and the implant is gently inserted into place. Usually there is only one surgical procedure required for the placement of a dental implant.
Following the implant placement procedure, the implants are left undisturbed for a period of 2-4 months so that the bone can grow around the implants to form a strong biological bond to them. During this bone "remodeling" phase, you will have some type of temporary replacement teeth, so that you never have to be without teeth during treatment. These replacement teeth are often referred to as a "dental flipper."
The procedure is usually done after the area is gently and carefully numbed. Some patients elect to have sedation while they undergo dental implant treatment.
3. Abutment Attachment Procedure
Following the appropriate bone remodeling period, a small connector post called a dental implant abutment is attached to each dental implant. The permanent replacement teeth will eventually be attached to the abutments.
4. Fabrication of Replacement Teeth
A series of appointments will be needed to take impressions of your teeth and the implant abutments; place temporary replacement teeth; select the appropriate shade for your replacement teeth and try them for proper fit. In between these appointments, the laboratory technician will fabricate your replacement teeth and the underlying structures that will be attached to the dental implants.
5. Completion of Dental Implants
Once the above phases are complete, then your new dental implants will be fixed to the abutment and you'll have a beautiful new set of teeth that look, feel and function just like the real thing.
6. Ongoing After Care
We'll continue to provide care throughout all phases of your dental implant procedures, even after it's completed so that you have the best experience possible. From pain management to maintenance or adjustments, our staff is dedicated to your satisfaction and long term care.
What are Dental Implants in a Day or Same Day Dental Implants?
On occasion we are able to remove a tooth and replace it with a dental implant and a temporary tooth that rests on the implant the same day. There are many factors that determined if this can be done safely and effectively. Dr. Miles Madison will carefully evaluate you and recommend this procedure if it can be successfully done.
What are the common dental implant Problems or Dental Implant Complications?
In general complications are prevented by proper planning. The most common complications arise form lack of planning or surgical experience, which can lead to mild to serious complications. The sign of a good dental implant surgeon is one who minimizes complications by adequate planning and preparation, and who is also very competent at managing them should they arise. The ability to manage complications is what sets apart great surgeon from the rest.
What are the Chances of Dental Implant Failure?
Failures can happen, but fortunately are rare. Dental implants have an average success of 95% which makes them one of the most successful medical procedures. But even with careful planning and surgical techniques failures can occur. Most failures occur in the first few weeks of implant placement. These failures need to be immediately recognized and managed so that the problem can be adequately addressed. On occasion implants fail after several years in service. These types of failure are usually associated with lack of adequate oral hygiene or follow up care. When you commit to dental implant treatment you need to commit to continuous and adequate follow up care as well.
What can Beverly Hills Periodontics and Dental Implants do for me?
Whether you want to replace one tooth, several teeth or even all of your teeth with dental implants, we are ready and capable of assisting you.
Click here to learn more about our Beverly Hills dental implant procedures.
For more information on dental implants or to set up an appointment, please contact us at (310)553-2940 for a consultation.
