DENTAL IMPLANTS

Dental implants are the most natural way to replace missing teeth and also provide a fixed solution to having removable partial or complete dentures.  Implants are so natural-looking and feeling, you may forget you ever lost a tooth.

Dental implants are artificial roots and teeth that are surgically placed into the upper or lower jaw bone by a Periodontist (a specialist of the gums and supporting bone).  Dental implants are very strong and stable.  Because a dental implant replaces your tooth root, the bone is better preserved.  With a bridge, some of the bone that previously surrounded the tooth begins to resorb (deteriorate).  Dental implants integrate with your jawbone, helping to keep the bone healthy and intact.

Reasons for dental implants:

  • Replace one or more missing teeth without affecting adjacent teeth.
  • Resolve joint pain or bite problems caused by teeth shifting into missing tooth space.
  • Restore a patient’s confident smile.
  • Restore chewing, speech, and digestion.
  • Restore or enhance facial tissues.
  • Support a bridge or denture, making them more secure and comfortable.

 

Why Bone Grafting?

In many instances, a potential implant site in the upper or lower jaw does not offer enough bone volume or quantity to accommodate a root form implant of proper size or in the proper place. This is usually a result of bone resorption that has taken place since one or more teeth were lost. Bone Grafting procedures usually try to re-establish bone dimension, which was lost due to resorption. Since we now have the ability to grow bone where needed. This not only gives us the opportunity to place implants of proper length and width, it also gives us a chance to restore functionality and esthetic appearance. The bone graft procedures are referred to as: ridge augmentation or sinus lifts

 

Sinus Lift

This procedure involves elevating the sinus membrane and placing the bone graft into the space or void created above the sinus floor. The new foundation established can now allow implants to be placed in the back part of the upper jaw.

 

Ridge Augmentation

In severe cases the ridge has been reabsorbed and a bone graft is placed to increase the ridge height and/or width.