What are Dental Implants?
Dental Implants are an excellent alternative to replacing missing teeth by restoring function, aesthetics and a beautiful smile. Dental Implants are made from titanium and serve a similar purpose to the roots of natural teeth. Many times, they are used to hold a denture in place to provide more stability. This can be a good choice for patients who have a missing tooth or multiple missing teeth. Since implants do not rely on adjacent teeth for support (like partials and bridges), implants are not only a more permanent solution, they also won’t damage surrounding teeth over time. After insertion into the jawbone, the implant fuses to the bone and can then be used to support crowns, bridges, and dentures.
Given the numerous benefits and aesthetic qualities Dental Implants offer, they have become the preferred method of tooth replacement today.
What are the benefits of Dental Implants?
Dental implants are widely regarded as the best treatment for missing teeth and loose dentures. They are designed to make dentures much more secure enabling you to smile, eat and talk confidently. They help you avoid the problem of slippage and discomfort of an ill-fitting denture. Dental Implants will not decay and are designed to potentially last a lifetime. Restoring your teeth with Dental Implants can also improve your overall health. Given that the success rate for Straumann and Zimmer Biomet implants is 98%, the 2% that do fail are guaranteed for the life of the patient. This warranty goes with the patient worldwide. The warranty offered by both Straumann and Zimmer Biomet are the standard in the dental implant industry.
A dental implant is an artificial tooth root, typically a titanium appliance, that is placed into your jawbone to hold a replacement tooth or a bridge or denture to restore multiple missing teeth. Dental implants last longer than alternatives like bridges and dentures, and they look more natural, too.
What are the steps for getting Dental Implants?
The initial step is to meet with Dr. Arne’ for a consultation. At this consultation, the doctor and you will determine your needs, assess your oral health, review your medical history, obtain diagnostic x-rays and then discuss treatment options in order to create a customized treatment plan just for you. We will also discuss costs, the timing of surgery as well as financing options, if necessary. This exam can usually be completed in about an hour. Once completed, you are ready to schedule your surgery. Dr. Arne’ and your restorative dentist will have many conversations about how to restore your smile. Restoring or placing the tooth or denture on the implants is a restorative-driven process and not dictated by the surgeon. Dr. Arne’ uses the analogy that he can place the implants wherever he wants but, if the dentist cannot restore them, they will not be of any use to the patient.
Following your surgery, there is a recovery period where the implants will need to heal and fully integrate with your bone before the dentist can restore the permanent crown, bridge, or dentures. It will usually take 3-6 months for the restoration to be complete.
Who typically gets Dental Implants?
Those likely to benefit from Dental Implants include people who have been experiencing problems with conventional dentures or simply people who have lost a single tooth. Implants make life easier for those that have been finding it difficult to chew, speak and smile. Dental Implants can preserve or slow down the process of tissue and bone loss in the jaw. What’s more is that Dental Implants can even provide a more youthful appearance due to the way they enhance your facial structure. Furthermore, they can help you to speak more clearly and confidently.
How long is the surgical procedure and how long will it be before I can get my teeth?
The duration of a dental implant procedure varies from patient to patient. For example, the length of the actual procedure can depend on where the implants are going to be placed as well as how many are needing to be placed. In some cases, a sinus lift or a bone graft may also be needed. This may add additional time to the surgery. there is also a possibility that it may slow down how quickly the restoration can be completed. Regardless, it will be time well spent if the long-term outcome and retention of the implant can be enhanced. In situations where a bone graft is not necessary, six weeks may be all that it takes for the implant to integrate with the surrounding bone. Other situations may require up to four months of healing time before the implant can be restored. We are finding this situation is presenting less often as the surface technology of the implants has improved over the years.
Dr. Arne’ will always review treatment options and give his opinion of what is in your best interest to pursue. He is helpful in answering any and all of your questions
What are the specifics for All on 4 Dental Implants?
Dr. Arne’ offers an innovative approach to restoring missing teeth. Traditional approaches to restoring a patient’s upper and lower teeth usually involved six or more dental implants and as many as 18 months of treatment. This approach typically requires that a patient would often be without any teeth or with an ill-fitting temporary denture for more than a year.
This is not the case at CCOMS. There are new and better techniques and Dr. Arne’ offers a wide range of dental implant solutions, including the popular All-on-4 procedure for immediate implant and denture delivery in one day.
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