Implant Dentistry
With dental implants, you can enjoy a greater variety of foods. Your mouth is
restored as closely as possible to its original state, with increased comfort,
and with preservation of facial structure. There is good possibility that jaw
deterioration will be retarded.
Best of all, you'll be able to smile more naturally, and you can be confident
in
normal activities such as talking and laughing.
Our goal is to provide our patients with the finest quality care, as
comfortably
and as pain-free as possible. Our implant specialist has over 25 years
experience in both surgical and prosthetic phase of implant therapy. In most
cases, all phases of implant treatment can be completed at our ultra-modern
office with our well know 5 Star VIP Services.
Many people know the benefits of dental implants but dismiss the idea of
having
this wonderful procedure done due to the cost. However, after patients see how
implants can be financed with workable payments at our office they are very
surprised. Upon a patient's first visit, Dr. Inna Shturman will discuss with
the patient what implants are, and whether or not they are a good candidate for
them. Most importantly, Dr. Inna asks what that the patient's goals are for his
or her smile.
More Information
Implant dentistry is the modern method of replacing missing teeth. Research
shows that 85 percent of people who wear full or partial dentures experience
some related discomfort and difficulty. Dental implants can eliminate those
problems, restore self-confidence and improve the quality of life. From a
single missing tooth to an entire set of teeth, dental implants can provide a
permanent alternative to problem dentures, and help prevent the premature loss
of remaining teeth. Dental implants can last a lifetime and are an excellent
investment in oral health.
What are dental implants?
Dental implants are made of biocompatible materials that become directly
attached to your jawbone. In dental terms, this is called "osseointegration."
Once anchored in place, your implants can be used to replace a missing tooth,
support an entire set of teeth or retain an overdenture. The result is a
natural type of tooth replacement that can restore the biting and chewing
ability you once enjoyed, improve your appearance and renew your
self-confidence.
Partial Edentulism
Traditionally, there have been several options for single or multiple tooth
replacement. As a general rule, these methods have good esthetics, but lack
long-term stability and adjacent teeth must be altered to provide the solution.
In addition to the aforementioned problems, these methods also contribute
greatly to bone loss in the area of edentulism.
Dental implants, on the other hand, do provide long-term stability, do not
subject the adjacent teeth to any alterations, and prevent bone loss. In
addition, implants may be used to replace several teeth. This type of
replacement requires more than one implant.
Total Edentulism
Patients which are totally edentulous, or missing all natural teeth have more
unique options available to them. There are several ways of handling total
edentulism, including dentures which attach to bars or snap onto balls, and
even full-arch bridges that restore life-like chewing efficiency and esthetics.
Most patients that suffer from total edentulism choose the conventional
treatment of dentures. As with single teeth, there is a gradual erosion of the
jawbone, leading to a more sunken facial apperance and "sliding" dentures. In
addition to the alteration in facial apperance, the nerve in the jawbone
becomes more and more exposed as erosion continues, resulting in unnecessary
pain and suffering.
Dental implants provide several solutions to the problem of total edentulism.
The first of which being a means of attaching a denture to several implants by
means of snapping onto a bar or ball attachments. While this method does
restore a great deal more chewing efficiency than conventional dentures, it
does not restore total efficiency.
A more thorough method of restoring chewing efficiency is to place at least
five implants in order to support a full-arch bridge. This method restores at
least 90% of the efficiency achieved by natural teeth. The lower lip covers the
junction of the fixed bridge and implants.
Frequently Asked Questions
What procedures are used to insert dental implants?
Placement of dental implants is a minor surgical procedure performed in one or
two office visits. If you have one-stage implants, their metal tops will extend
through the gums while your tissues heal, and you will not need a second
surgery. If you have two-stage implants, they will be placed under the gums
while the bone heals. You will need a second, simple surgery to uncover them
and attach a post to support your replacement teeth. Your dentist's decision to
do a one- or two-stage surgical procedure depends on a number of clinical
factors, such as the amount of available bone and location of the implants.
After the implants are placed, the bone attaches to them and permanently
anchors them within your jaw. In the meantime, your dentist may adjust your
full denture or partial prosthesis for temporary use.
What are implants made of?
Implants are made from a biologically-compatible and safe metal called
Titanium. Titanium has been used for the purpose of dental and surgical
implants for over 50 years.
How will I benefit from dental implants?
The first and most obvious benefit is the enhanced ability to chew and enjoy
your food. Implants also eliminate the inconvenience associated with removable
teeth. In addition to these benefits, dental implants help restore that "full"
look, rather than giving a sunken facial appearance.
How long do implants last?
Implants are placed with the intention of lasting a lifetime. The first dental
implant ever placed is still in use and has never been compromised. The
Br?nemark system of dental implants has over 44 years of research and
development behind their implant products, putting forth the best product
available.
Will dental implants work for me?
Your dentist can do a full comprehensive evaluation to determine the
availability of implants to you. Over the past 15 years, he option of dental
implants is an one made available to nearly everyone through procedures that
enable doctors to add bone in order to make implants viable.
How many visits will implant treatment take?
Every patient is unique and presents a distinct situation. Generally, the
implant process provides for three stages. Stage one involves the placement of
the implants themselves, stage two involves uncovering of those implants to
place abutments which protrude through the gumline, and stage three encompasses
the placement of permanent abutments to which the final prosthesis will be
attached. The entire process spans five to seven months, dependent upon the
areas of placement. In addition, there may be otherpreliminary procedures that
make implants possible, such as extractions and bone grafts.
Will I be without my teeth during the healing process?
This depends upon your situation. Most patients can leave the procedure
wearing some type of temporary or interim prosthesis. Partial dentures or
dentures can be modified as not to disturb the implants healing beneath the
gums. Generally, we ask our patients not to wear full or partial dentures for
chewing, although, they can normally be worn for cosmetic purposes only for ten
days after the stage one portion of implant treatment. After this initial
period of ten days, most appliances can be worn normally.
How long has dental implant treatment been performed?
Implants are not new to the dental field by any means. Dr. P.I. Br?nemark
began placing implants in 1952, and has spent the past four decades perfecting
the process and design. With modern procedures and placement in a sterile
environment, the success rate for implants is very high. We currently
experience a success rate in excess of 98%.
Is there a difference between implant systems?
Absolutely! The Br?nemark System is the only implant system capable of
demonstrating long-term safety and efficacy through international multi-center
studies. In addition, it is the only implant system fully approved for
intraoral and craniofacial