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If you are missing one or more
teeth and would like to restore them your ability to smile, speak and eat with
comfort and confidence , then dental implants is what you are searching for
WHAT IS AN IMPLANT?
An implant is a man-made replacement for natural teeth which allows the person
to return to fixed teeth. It is not a transplant, which is taken from another
person. There are several categories of dental implants, which will be selected
by the doctor depending on your specific needs and general dental condition. You
would require an x-ray to evaluate the amount of bone remaining, models of your
mouth to determine space available and a thorough examination to decide which
type of implant can help you the most.
IS IT EXPENSIVE?
The procedure can involve a significant investment and fees can be determined
after records and an examination is completed. A survey of 350 patients, after
completion of their work, indicated that it was, not only worth the investment,
but they would do it again.
WHAT WILL MY
INSURANCE PAY?
Although portions of the procedures involved may be covered, the implant itself
is not a covered benefit on the majority of insurance contracts. We are,
however, persistent in doing the best we possibly can in obtaining benefits for
out patients from their medical and dental insurance.
IS THERE
DISCOMFORT INVOLVED?
Just as with any surgery, there can be some discomfort; however, anesthetic and
patient sedation are used to eliminate any discomfort at the time of the
procedure. Approximately 95 percent of patients report discomfort of 0-2 on a
scale of 0-10 the day after the implants are placed. The doctor will prescribe
medications to ease any discomfort that may occur. Special care will be taken to
stay in contact with you after the surgery to be sure that you remain
comfortable.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?
To complete treatment can take from 4 to 9 months and in some cases, longer. It
should be understood that this procedure is advanced and can be a longer process
than usual to assure it's success. We do, however, provide patients with
temporary teeth during this time frame. AT NO TIME are you without teeth unless
you elect to do so.
IS THERE
A CHANCE OF REJECTION?
The body does not reject a dental implant, as it might a soft tissue transplant,
such as a lung, heart or kidney. This does not mean that an implant cannot fail,
but it would be due to other factors, such as misalignment, improper force on
the implant or other conditions or existing diseases of the patient. Dental
implants are made of a material, titanium, that is totally bio compatible
(compatible with body tissues) and
actually integrates with the surrounding bone and becomes part of the body.
Titanium is also being used more and more in the medical field to replace body
parts.
HOW
LONG COULD ONE EXPECT TO BE OFF WORK?
Generally, we recommend the day of and the following day after surgery, that no
strenuous exercise be done. You can expect to be slightly swollen. The amount of
time off required is an individual decision.
WHAT WILL
HAPPEN WITHOUT TREATMENT?
When you lose your teeth, you gradually lose the bone that supported them. As
this bone disappears, problems with other teeth nearby and a lack of support for
dentures, partials and bridges increase. These could include pain, mobility,
lack of retention for prosthetics, sharp, painful ridges, mobile gum tissue and
sore spots. The tongue enlarges to accommodate spaces of missing teeth. With
tooth loss, a five-fold decrease in function occurs and the diet shifts to
softer foods. Also, when bone is lost, numbness to the lower lip or even the
possibility of fracture of the jaw rises. Since the bone is deteriorating, it
will spread and deteriorate around healthy teeth and ultimately cause the loss
of those teeth. I think everyone's heard of the "domino effect". Here's a very
easy way to explain what happens. Picture a brick wall; take a brick right out
of the middle of the wall. What happens? Eventually, the brick above starts to
fall in from lack of support, the bricks to the side start shifting toward each
other and those eventually fall out; then the process starts all over for those
bricks nearest them. It's a similar process in the mouth. In addition, this
progression will affect the ability to provide the same treatment in the later
stages of bone loss than if treatment had been started earlier in the process.
It's much better to replace a tooth BEFORE all of the side effects kick in. By
waiting, you risk the possibility of not being able to provide the same, simple
type of treatment that would have been possible earlier.
WHO IS A
CANDIDATE FOR IMPLANTS?
Anyone who is missing one or more (even all) of their teeth may be a candidate
for implants. If one or a few of the teeth are missing, implants in conjunction
with a crown or bridge can replace those teeth and function as normal teeth
without losing more bone and being subject to decay. If all or most of your
teeth are missing, then implants may be placed to anchor a loose denture.
Sometimes, if there is already some bone loss, bone can be added and regenerated
or a technique called bone expansion can be used to create a more ideal site for
the implant's. More detailed information and images are available from the
treatment menu. Ultimately, a consultation with a dentist who is knowledgeable
on these procedures can help determine your individual needs.
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