Confidence and Predictability with Dental Implants

Confidence and Predictability with Dental Implants

The science of dental implantology has changed remarkably in the past ten years, leaving most dentists struggling to keep up with the tremendous changes in technology, technique, and basic science. The public has come to understand that implants are useful, but has not been well educated as to what those uses are. Many dentists as well are reluctant to prescribe implants in situations where older manners of dental treatment may suffice. The fact is that in the majority of cases in which patients are missing teeth, even just one tooth, dental implants are the conservative, treatment of choice. They are often financially conservative as well.

WHAT ARE DENTAL IMPLANTS?

Dental implants are artificial tooth roots, made from surgical grade titanium, which over a period of four to nine months actually fuse to the bone in the jaw and thus form firm support for a tooth replacement. The placement procedure is rarely painful, as we must use an extremely fine touch with the bone so as not to interfere with the fusion, or integration. Placement is usually done in the dental office, and can be done under sedation or general anesthesia. While the implants are healing, the patient wears some type of esthetic provisional restoration in the place of the missing teeth. Those with no teeth may continue to use a comfortable denture during the integration period. Once integrated, a series of attachments are easily secured to the implant and esthetic teeth are placed in a variety of manners. The number of implants and complexity of their positioning will dictate the exact restorative procedure, although as the technology improves, these restorative procedures become more and more simple. As the success rate of dental implantology has reached into the mid to high ninety percent range, they can now be considered to be a mainstream dental service and should be considered for many dental problems. Their usefulness is often limited only by the skill and ingenuity of the dentists involved. Doctors Groh, Souviron, and Mannis are innovators in the use of dental implants.

Examples of dental implants.

HOW DO I KNOW IF I WOULD BENEFIT FROM IMPLANTS?

You will benefit from dental implants if you are missing teeth from any area of your mouth, or may be missing them in the future. If you are missing a single tooth from the middle of your arch, it can be replaced with an implant and save the need and expense of having the teeth on either side shaped for crowns to have a bridge placed. If you are missing a tooth or teeth at the end of your arch, dental implants may give you continued chewing efficiency without the need for a removable partial denture. That "feeling young and vigorous" attitude can be maintained or regained. Very few patients these days accept "removable parts" unless absolutely necessary, and implants obviate most of this need.

A single tooth implant instead of a fixed bridge.

If you are about to lose a tooth because of unsolvable dental problems, often an implant can be placed at or near the time of extraction. The advantages here are that bone shrinkage will be obviated, surgical procedures will be minimized, and time spent waiting for integration so that your new teeth can be placed is minimized.

You will also benefit from dental implants if you are a denture wearer, either full or partial, and feel that you are not comfortable or successful with those restorations. To elaborate, many patients with partials are very embarrassed about unsightly clasps and wires that show. Often, these patients change their smiles to hide these clasps, and sometimes even avoid social situations. Partial dentures are difficult to keep clean, and allow excessive pressures to be placed on the remaining teeth, and are sometimes considered to be a stop on the road to full dentures. By replacing partials with implant supported teeth, the esthetic and functional dilemmas associated with partial dentures all but disappear.

An implant bridge with natural teeth untouched.

Patients with full dentures typically complain about looseness and poor chewing effectiveness, especially with lower dentures. Implants can be used in a myriad of ways to stabilize or completely replace most full dentures. When teeth are missing, the bone that supported the teeth usually disappears over time. Over the past ten years, simple and predictable techniques have been developed to replace missing bone, and thus even people who have been told in the past that they could not have implants may now be excellent candidates for these comfortable and stable restorations. Huge improvements in comfort and self esteem are commonly reported by patients who have made the decision to change to implant supported teeth.

Implant retained overdenture.

Patients who have bleeding disorders, diabetes in poor control, and heavy tobacco and alcohol abuse may not be candidates for dental implants.

Age is not a factor.

WHO PLACES DENTAL IMPLANTS?

This is an era when everyone is a self-proclaimed expert. There is currently no recognized specialty in dental implantology. Many implant organizations exist, but as unregulated entities unto themselves. Therefore, to choose a quality dentist or dental team for your implant solutions, you need to do personal research. Trust what you can find out from other satisfied patients and from your trusted general dentist if he or she is not personally experienced enough to provide your implant services. Insist in a friendly, non-rushed, personalized environment. Beware anything that appears to be a "clinic" or "factory". Research before you believe advertising. Get a second opinion. Expect a personalized approach, as each implant case is very different and requires the doctor’s complete attention. Understand that some dentists prefer to work as a team, with an oral surgeon or periodontist placing the implants and a general or reconstructive dentist making the esthetic teeth. Other dentists prefer to provide all of the services themselves. Either approach is fine, and the dentist’s assessment of his or her own abilities should be respected if corroborated by testimonials from long-term satisfied patients. The most important issue here is your rapport with the dentist or team, their ability to adequately communicate their preparation and qualifications to you, your perception of the care and follow up which you will receive, and your research into their previous patients' happiness. These are solid measures of the quality of the experience and treatment you are paying for.

IN A NUTSHELL

Dental implants are a conservative solution to most dental problems in which one or more teeth are missing. It is not a painful, but sometime complex procedure that has a success rate of over ninety percent. Cosmetic, functional, and self-esteem issues are all addressed by competent implant dentists. Consumers should trust their referring dentists along with their own research in choosing an implant dentist. Dental implant restorations represent a personal commitment to comfort, function, and quality of life. Drs. Groh, Souviron, and Mannis have between them over thirty five years experience in providing comfortable and effective implant services to the citizens of South Florida and beyond.

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