High-Tech Dental Implants
What are Dental Implants?
There are several techniques to replace a missing tooth. If the patient has enough jawbone remaining, the missing tooth can be replaced with a dental implant and it will look and feel just like a natural tooth. The big benefit to dental implants is that they can permanently replace a missing tooth without having to restore the neighboring teeth. Other advantages of dental implants are that they do not decay, they don’t cause hot or cold sensitivity, feel just like natural teeth and can last a lifetime. Dental Implants can replace a single tooth, multiple teeth; can be used with porcelain crowns, porcelain bridges and with partial or full dentures.
A dental implant is being placed in the jawbone with the use of a stint to guide the drilling process. The Stint is blue and is snapped over your existing teeth with a hole precisely made to guide the dentist in placing the implant for the best possible angle and location in the jawbone. This patient is getting one dental implant.
How can I get a Dental Implant?
The implant is surgically placed in the jawbone and a porcelain crown is cemented or screwed to the top of the implant. Generally, it is best to wait several months before the crown is cemented to the dental implant to allow the jawbone to firmly adhere to the dental implant. Implant dentistry needs to be planned and there are several technologies to help with more accurate placement and bone assessment before surgery is started. Most implants are placed with a local anesthetic although a patient can be sedated.
High Technology for Dental Implants?
High-tech placement of dental implants is important. Sometimes, critical issues or limitations are discovered at the time of surgery that could have been planned in advance. The newest technology utilized for the planning of dental implants is CAT scan imaging with computerized planning. The dentist can see the bone and place the very best shape and size implant by viewing the amount of bone in the jaw. Dental Implants can be placed by the dentist in the right location, right angle and with the right implant with advanced computerized planning. One of the best technologies is Complex Motion Tomography for placing one or two implants because the patient is exposed to low amounts of radiation in comparison to CAT scan imaging.
Cat Scan image with computerized superimposed implants are part of the planning system.
What about the Implant in an Hour Advertisement?
The patient should be aware that “implants in an hour” are not right for everyone. In some cases, you could get the implant in an hour only to end up with infection and implant failure. When implants fail, valuable jawbone is lost and may complicate getting another dental implant placed. Much of this type of advertising has been reduced because it is not a good idea to rush the healing process. The chances of success go down when short cuts are taken. Not all “implants in an hour” fail, but the success rate is lower than the more proven approach of waiting a few months for healing to complete.
Which is the Best Type of Dental Implant?
There are many different brands of implants with some being more expensive than others. Because dental implants are inserted in your body and can be expensive, complicated and bad for you health if they fail, the popular brand names are recommended (e.g.: Astra Tech, ITI, Straumann, and NobelBiocare).
What is the most important part of a Dental Implant?
By far, the most important part of getting a dental implant is choosing the right dentist. In some cases, the entire implant process will be completed by a single dentist, while other times one dentist will place the implant and another will restore the implant with a crown. The quality, experience and training of the dentist are the most important elements for your care. A dentist that is a Master of the Academy of General Dentistry would be one of the very best selections possible. (Visit www.agd.org)
Can anyone get a Dental Implant?
Dental implants are an option for many patients, but a few health problems need to be considered. Smoking, diabetes, weak jawbone, osteoporosis, dry mouth and other medical problems that prohibit complete healing can be contraindications for dental implants.
How do I care for my Dental Implant?
You care for your dental implant just like a natural tooth. You need to brush, floss and irrigate (with a WaterPik) around the implant twice per 24 hour period. You mouth needs to be in a healthy condition for your teeth and dental implants to last a lifetime.