Dental Implants
If you lose one or more teeth due to periodontal disease, or another cause, there is hope. Dental implants are changing the way people live! They 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 normally and can smile with confidence, knowing that teeth appear natural and that facial contours will be preserved. Patients with dental implants can smile with confidence.
Dental implants are designed to replace tooth roots and 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 virtually anything and can smile with confidence. Teeth appear natural and facial contours are preserved.
The implants are small titanium posts that are placed into the jawbone where teeth are missing. The bone bonds with the titanium, creating a strong foundation for replacement teeth. In addition, implants help to preserve facial structure, preventing the bone resorbtion that occurs when teeth are missing.
Dental implants are changing the way people live. Through implant dentistry, people are rediscovering the comfort and confidence to eat, speak, laugh and enjoy life.
Evaluation
If, like many others, you feel implant dentistry is the right choice for you, we invite you to visit our periodontal office in South Burlington or Middlebury VT for an examination and consultation. After examining your mouth and your x-rays, we will address your specific needs and considerations. Your questions and concerns are important to us, and help us to formulate a treatment plan that will address your individual goals.
Implant Procedures
Implant Placement
Dental implant surgery is usually a comfortable, non- traumatic event, performed under local anesthesia (“novacaine”). In some cases, light oral sedation or nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is recommended.
After anesthesia is administered, a small incision is made to expose the bone. A channel in the bone is created and the implant is placed into the bone. A flat healing cap is placed on the implant. This will lie flush with the gum line, and will remain in place during the healing period. The gum tissue is repositioned around the healing cap, and a few sutures (stitches) are placed. The sutures will dissolve after a few days.
In most cases the implant will be allowed to heal for 8 weeks. Sometimes a longer healing period is needed. After the healing period, you will return to your referring dentist to begin the process of restoring your tooth or teeth.
Immediate implant placement
In many cases, an implant can be placed immediately following extraction of a tooth. After the tooth is removed, the extraction socket is modified to allow placement of the implant. This is dependent on adequate bone remaining after the extraction to support the implant during the healing process. Whether immediate implant placement is possible can only be determined after the tooth is extracted.
Sinus grafting
Your sinuses are empty cavities that lie above your upper back teeth. In some cases, these sinus are very low and there is minimal bone below the floor of the sinus. In such a situation, there may not be enough bone below the sinus to place an implant. Fortunately, with bone grafting techniques, additional bone can be added to allow implant placement.
A channel is created in the bone, and grafting material (natural or synthetic bone) is inserted into the channel. The graft material is compacted below the floor of the sinus. This lifts the floor of the sinus and adds additional bone height. In most cases, the implant can be placed during the same surgical visit.
Ridge augmentation or expansion
Sometimes the width of the jawbone is limited, making implant placement difficult. Often, bone graft material (natural or synthetic) can be added, or the ridge of the bone can be expanded from within, allowing implant placement.
Risks and complications
As with any procedure, some risks are associated with implant surgery. An antibiotic is prescribed to help avoid post-operative infection. During your consultation we will evaluate the location of anatomical structures such as sinus and nerves to minimize complications.
In a few cases, the implant may not heal properly in the bone. In most of these incidents, the implant can be removed and replaced after an appropriate healing period.
For more information about dental implants, check The Dental Implant Guide