One of the greatest advancements in the field of dentistry over the past century has been the advent of the titanium dental implant. Whether a patient is missing one tooth, multiple teeth, or an entire arch, today’s dental implant can provide a patient with the ability to replace their missing tooth/teeth without sacrificing natural appearance and functionality.
In essence, the implant is an artificial tooth root made of surgical grade titanium that is implanted into the jaw bone to replace roots of teeth and will allow the dentist to fabricate restorations over these artificial roots. Dental implants are designed to provide a foundation for replacement teeth that look, feel and function like natural teeth. The person who has lost teeth regains the ability to eat anything and can smile with confidence, knowing that their teeth will appear natural.
Tooth Replacement Options
A missing tooth can affect your teeth alignment, bite, speech and dietary choices. There are several different options to replace your missing teeth – from temporary to long-lasting solutions.
Bridge
A bridge is a connected set of ceramic crowns. The adjacent teeth are ground down to allow space for seating the crowns. The bridge is cemented on top of the teeth adjacent to the empty space.
Removable Prosthesis (Flipper)
A removable plastic tooth with a plastic retainer. It acts as a temporary replacement in most cases.
Bridge
Dental implants are the replacement option that closely mimics the natural tooth. The implant is an artificial tooth root made of surgical grade titanium that is implanted into the jaw bone to replace roots of teeth and will allow the dentist to fabricate restorations over these artificial roots. Dental implants are designed to provide a foundation for replacement teeth that look, feel and function like natural teeth.pty space.
Advantages of Dental Implants
Unlike the bridge option, dental implants don’t rely on neighboring teeth for support.
Dental implants are permanent and stable.
They will not come loose like the removable prosthesis.
They prevent your other teeth from shifting around due to the loss of a tooth.
Dental Implants prevent bone loss in your jaw.
Types of Implants That We Offer
A missing tooth can affect your teeth alignment, bite, speech and dietary choices. There are several different options to replace your missing teeth – from temporary to long-lasting solutions.
Single Tooth Implant
A single implant is the best permanent replacement for a missing tooth. A dental implant replaces the tooth root, and is completed with a crown that will look and function like a natural tooth. A dental implant, if properly maintained, can last a lifetime. It is a much more reliable option than a bridge or flipper.
Multiple Implants
When a tooth or several teeth are missing, the jawbone in the missing tooth/teeth area begins to resorb because the root structure of the teeth holds the bone and tissue in place. That’s why dental implants are key in preserving the natural jawbone. On the other hand, conventional dentures, partials and bridges allow the bone in the missing teeth area to resorb over time. Therefore, multiple dental implants are a preferred solution because they naturally preserve the existing jawbone and protect the adjacent existing teeth from shifting.
Implant Supported Bridge
Multiple implants can be placed in the bone to replace all teeth that are missing. Depending on the number of implants and the number of teeth to be replaced, either individual crowns or fixed bridges may be made over the implants. The prosthesis remains fixed in the patient’s mouth, virtually replacing all of the teeth that the patient was missing.ural tooth. A dental implant, if properly maintained, can last a lifetime. It is a much more reliable option than a bridge or flipper.
Full Arch Implant Retained Prosthesis
Commonly known as “All-On-4” or “teeth in a day,” we can now restore an entire arch using as few as four dental implants. The number of implants to be placed is customized depending on each patient’s jaw. The implants are placed around your dental arch for stability of the prosthesis. A restoration (bridge or denture) is then attached. This gives you the look and function of a full arch of teeth without using an implant for every missing tooth. The revolutionary “All-On-4” full arch treatment allows patients to leave with a complete set of teeth on the same day as the procedure, hence the name “teeth in a day“. Depending on each patients’ unique needs, four to six implants are placed in each arch. If any extractions are necessary, they would be completed on the same day. A temporary fixed prosthesis is fastened to the implants, which act and function like normal teeth. The patient will then wait 3-4 months, allowing the gums to properly heal and the patient to adjust to a comfortable bite and ability to chew. After the healing period, the restorative dentist will create and affix a full mouth permanent prosthesis to the implants to replace your natural teeth.
Removable Denture Implants
Removable implant-supported dentures can be removed, but are far more secure than those without the support of dental implants. Implant supported dentures can be secured with as few as two implants. With more implants, the denture becomes even more secure. The denture will then snap in over the implant attachment locking the denture into place. This will give the patient a rigid and functional denture. It will eliminate the use of denture adhesives and will allow the patient the ability to eat many of the foods they were unable to with regular dentures.
What Does the Procedure Entail?
In order to determine whether an area where a tooth or multiple teeth are missing would be a candidate for a dental implant, it is necessary to do a full radiographic study of the area by obtaining a CT scan. Once the area is examined clinically and radiographically, Dr. Kashlan will provide a detailed treatment plan that includes the timeline of when the implant will be ready to be restored by your general dentist.
Dental implant placement is a team effort between the periodontist and the restorative dentist. After finalizing the treatment plan with the restorative dentist, Dr. Kashlan places the implant and if indicated, the initial tooth extraction(s) and bone grafting if necessary. After the implant is cleared for crown fabrication by Dr. Kashlan, the restorative dentist (your dentist) makes the replacement tooth (crown). Your dentist will also make any temporary prosthesis needed during the implant process.
There are different ways in which a dental implant and the replacement tooth may be placed. For some patients, the placement of the dental implant occurs over two surgical procedures. At the first visit, the implant is placed in the jawbone and allowed to heal beneath the gums.
During that time, the implant is undergoing integration with the jawbone. The amount of time an implant is allowed to integrate with the bone is variable. It depends upon the density of the jaw bone, the patient’s age and medical condition, and the implant site itself. During this time, in most cases, a temporary tooth replacement can be worn over the implant site.
After the implant has integrated to the jawbone, the second phase begins. Dr. Kashlan will expose the implant to the oral environment by attaching a small healing cap that protrudes through the gums.
In favorable situations, this second step isn’t required and the healing cap will be placed at the time of implant placement.
The patient will then return to the general dentist to fabricate the replacement tooth. The dentist will replace the healing cap with a post that will act as the base of the crown. An impression will be taken and sent to the laboratory to fabricate the new crown. The crown will then be placed and the implant-based replacement tooth will be completed. It will function and feel like a natural tooth and will remain in the mouth permanently.
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