Dental Implants

Implants

For people who have lost teeth, implants provide artificial teeth that look more natural and feel more secure. Implants can be used to replace a single missing tooth or support a bridge, full dentures or partial dentures.

What are dental implants?

Dental implants are basically sophisticated screws made of a medically pure, very strong and biocompatible metal, Titanium. These screws are then placed in the jaw bone and rest under the gum for 3 - 6 months. During this time they actually fuse to the jawbone and become osseo (bone) integrated. After the appropriate healing time, we take an impression just like on natural teeth and we can do crowns, bridges and dentures attached to implants.

Dental implants have been available for the past 50 or so years. There are significant differences, however, between the various types of implants that have been used to replace missing teeth. These differences are important since they are directly related to the implants success rates. The implants currently in use today, OSSEOINTEGRATED IMPLANTS, were originally developed in Sweden by Dr. P.I. Branemark., a Swedish Orthopedist approximately 30-35 years ago. They have been used in the U.S. for the past 17 years.

All implants in use in the United States are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. Originally, the only system available was the Noblepharma Branemark implant. Today, there are numerous implant companies in use on a daily basis. All of these companies are FDA approved and must meet very stringent requirements. We will choose the system that is best for you and the one that allows them to accomplish your mutual restorative goal. Implants are made of commercially and medically pure Titanium. This is the same metal that has been successfully used in hip implants for many years. It is inert and is not known to cause any type of rejection phenomenon.

Would you like to read more details about implants: Implant surgery is done in two stages. The first stage involves the placement of the implants into the available jaw bone. This is most commonly done with just local anesthesia. It is a very uncomplicated procedure done in one hour or less. Every attempt is made to insure success, the equipment thoroughly sterilized and the most modern techniques utilized.

Stage two involves the uncovering of the implants after they have integrated (fused). This can be accomplished with minor gum treatment or with a dental laser and It is a relatively minor procedure. It takes a few minutes and is painless.

Success rate is about 96%. That is the highest rate of success in any kind of surgery on the body.

Although implants simulate the roots of teeth, biomechanically one implant can be used to replace one or more teeth. This will depend upon the mechanical requirements of your chosen prosthesis. At your consultation we will discuss the various treatment alternatives and the type and number of implants that are needed in order to fulfill our treatment objectives.

Dental implants take approximately 3-4 months in the lower jaw and 6 months in the upper to integrate. Once integrated, it usually takes only two visits to complete the restoration.

INLAYS / ONLAYS

Inlays/Onlays

Inlays and Onlays are one of my cosmetic specialties. When it comes to treating decay they are many options:

1) Amalgam (mercury) fillings : Are silver looking and not done in our office.
2) Resin fillings, Bondings : Are white fillings, very popular and only require one visit. They can be done on small to medium size cavities. The teeth are filled instantly and you can eat and chew when you leave the office.
3) Inlays and Onlays : Are done in 2 steps. In the 1st step I take out the cavity, clean the tooth and

an impression will be taken of the tooth. You will leave the office with a temporary filling and come back 10 days later. At your second visit our high quality dental lab will deliver the filling done in the lab to our office. I will show you the filling inside your mouth, and if you love it, it will be permanently cemented. There are many options of what this material of choice can be and they are too numerous to list all of them.

As a general guideline you can choose:

A) Gold Inlay (in back upper teeth) can last decades, barely visible.
B) Porcelain Inlay (tooth colored) also last a long time, very biocompatible and strong, looks beautiful.
C) Special Reinforced Resin, also tooth colored fillings, very strong and durable and flexible to pressure from chewing and grinding.
D) Hybrids, a combination of porcelain and resin fillings in one.

The advantage is to combine the positive physical properties of both into one filling.In any case, the outcome is a more precise and more accurate restoration than with a resin filling done in one visit. The lab can eliminate the limitation of a dentist working inside the mouth such as high saliva flow, minor bleeding, tongue and cheek space limitations.