Implants
Links:
http://www.biohorizons.com/documents/ML0131_Patient_Guide.pdf
http://www.biohorizons.com/documents/ML0114_Overdenture_patient_education.pdf
http://www.biohorizons.com/documents/implant_patient_ed.pdf
Modern dental implants are precision devices, available in several different designs to address your specific needs. Implants are so well designed that they mimic the look and feel of natural teeth. The most common type is a titanium screw that is anchored into the jawbone where it serves as a foundation for an artificial tooth or permanent bridge. In some cases, implants can be used to attach dentures.
Once a crown is in place, you may not be able to tell it apart from your natural teeth.
Titanium dental implants have been placed extensively since the 1970s. Titanium offers the benefit of being lightweight and strong, and is not rejected by the body (biocompatible). It is the most widely used metal in orthopedic joint replacement and dental implants. Dental implants have the highest success rate of any implanted surgical device.
Not everyone is a candidate for a dental implant, however. For a successful implant to take hold, a candidate must have proper bone density and have a strong immune system. In all cases, dental implants require strict oral hygiene.
Surgery is necessary to prepare the area for an implant and place the implant in the mouth. Following the procedure, a period of time is required for the implant to take hold and for bone tissue to build up and anchor the device. In some cases, metal posts are inserted into the implant during a follow-up procedure to connect the tooth.
Because implants require surgery, patients are administered anesthesia and antibiotics to prevent infection following the procedure.
Like any restoration, implants require diligent oral hygiene and proper care to ensure they last a long time
Dental implants let you eat the foods you love. Dental Implants are the only proven way to prevent bone loss after the loss of natural teeth. Research shows that implant-supported prostheses increase patient comfort.
70% of the U.S. population is missing at least one tooth. Many social functions involve food and eating.
Losing one or more of your teeth starts a chain of events that can have dire physical and cosmetic consequences. The most obvious result is a gap in your smile. Less obvious is the loss of chewing function and the inability to eat a complete diet that can result from tooth loss. While these are certainly serious issues, a potentially bigger problem lies hidden beneath the surface: bone loss.
Your jawbone needs the chewing action of the teeth to stimulate it and keep it strong. Otherwise it will begin to disappear (atrophy) in the same manner that the unused muscles beneath a cast supporting a broken bone get smaller. Without the support of your teeth and facial bones, your face will begin to look prematurely aged. The good news is that tooth replacement with dental implants offers a solution to help prevent bone loss.
Am I a good candidate?
Dental implants can be placed in most adults who are in good to moderate health. They are not typically placed in adolescents until they have reached their full expected physical maturity. Certain uncontrolled medical conditions may decrease the effectiveness of implant treatment, so be sure to discuss your full medical history with your doctor before beginning treatment.
Every patient is different and patient results may vary. Only a trained clinician can determine the best treatment plan for you. Please ask your doctor to explain the benefits and risks to see if tooth replacement with implants is right for you.