Implants are substitutes for teeth and are today's best alternative to your missing natural teeth. They offer you a permanent or secure solution for replacing one or more teeth.
Implants are made of biocompatible materials, the same as hip implants or similar orthopedic devices, and function as artificial roots to anchor or support crowns, bridges or dentures. Many of our patients will tell you that implants have changed not only their smiles and the overall appearance, but also their lives!
Why Choose Dental Implants?
There are numerous reasons to choose dental implants:
Esthetically, dental implants support crowns that look like real teeth. Functionally, they feel and act like real teeth.
With implants, you can eat and chew again without pain or irritation. Foods that were forbidden are now back in your diet.
Implants eliminate the need for distasteful adhesives commonly used for dentures. There is no longer a need to use "glue" when your denture prosthesis is anchored to implants.
Implants can actually improve the taste of food. With less plastic covering the roof of your mouth, you can enjoy natural flavors and sensations again.
Lastly, implants can help maintain your bone structure and support your facial tissues. They can reduce or eliminate bone atrophy, which causes "shrinkage" or facial cosmetic changes.
Implants have been in existence for at least twenty-five years. For the last ten years, however, success rates are consistently over 95% with proper personal and professional care. Few forms of medical, orthopedic or dental treatment have such high success rates.
The 2-Phase Process
There are actually two phases to implant dentistry:
Phase 1: Using very accurate surgical techniques, an incision is made in the gum tissues by an oral surgeon and implants are placed into dimensionally controlled sites (depth and width) in the jawbone. The gum tissues are then closed and the healing phase begins. This may take anywhere from 3-6 months to ensure a strong base.
Phase 2: Creating and fixing the new tooth or teeth to the implant structure constitutes the second and final phase. This is done when you return to our office. Implants can replace a single tooth, several teeth or your dentures.
Usually, discomfort is not a problem. In fact, many patients have said that having a tooth pulled was more painful! For the placement of an implant(s), your oral surgeon will use one of many anesthetic regimens so there won't be any discomfort. When you leave the office, you will be given appropriate medications. We urge you to ask other patients how they felt after implant therapy. Initially, you might feel dental implants are expensive. Yet, they represent a more permanent and natural solution than dentures and partials. Thus, there is a greater initial investment. They should last for many years, particularly if you take care of them as instructed by our staff. Independent surveys of implant patients show that they felt the investment was worth every penny and would do it again!
