Dental Implants
A dental implant is a small titanium screw that serves as the replacement for the root portion of a missing natural tooth. Dental implants can be placed in either the upper or lower jaws. Due to the bio-compatible properties of titanium, a dental implant fuses with the bone and becomes a good anchor for the replacement tooth. Dental implants can be used in solutions for replacing single or multiple missing teeth.
Why Dental Implants?
There are a number of reasons why you should consider a dental implant:
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Without the root structure of a natural tooth present, the jawbone can shrink. This shrinkage will make your face look older than it is.
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There are no loose parts to worry about losing. The dental implant is stable and comfortable. No adjustment is needed after placement. Normally, it will serve its owner for life.
Who Is A Candidate?
Anyone who is missing one or more teeth due to injury, disease or tooth decay may be a candidate for dental implants. The determining factor is the amount of available bone. Your dentist is the best person to evaluate whether dental implants are a viable solution for you.
IMAGE GUIDED DENTAL IMPLANT SURGERY
Koski DePaul Dental Group utilizes state-of-the-art technology to place dental implants with incredible accuracy. By using image guided dental implant surgery we can fashion 3-D virtual models of your dental anatomy to plan and produce precise surgical guides that lead to optimal dental implant placement.
Image guided dental implant surgery is the latest advancement in dental surgery. This technology uses information gathered with exceptionally accurate and detailed 3-D medical imaging, offering the ability to perform extremely detailed surgical planning via a virtual model of a patient's face, mouth and oral structures, then implement that plan in real time, taking advantage of precise computer guidance to ensure optimal implant positioning and placement.
What this technology can do
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Assess the quality of the jawbone where the implant will be placed.
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Determine where nerves are located.
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Diagnose tumors and disease in the early stages.
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Measure the density of the jawbone where the implant will be placed.
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Pinpoint the most effective placement for implants, including the angle of best fit.
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Plan the complete surgical procedure in advance, from start to finish.
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Precisely decide on the appropriate size and type of implants.
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View exact orientation and position of each tooth.
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View impacted teeth.
ADVANTAGES FOR OUR PATIENTS
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Increased Accuracy and Safety – Image guided dental implant surgery offers a higher level of precision in implant placement than is possible in traditional implant surgeries. Greater precision conveys several important advantages to patients, including safer procedures, since surgeons are able to see the exact position of critical structures like bones, nerves, adjacent tooth roots and sinus cavities, reducing complication risks. Other distinct advantages of that higher level of precision include more predictable results with higher rates of success and better aesthetic outcomes.
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Faster, More Comfortable Procedures – With the use of image guided surgical techniques, we are able to place dental implants in less invasive procedures than are used in traditional implant surgeries, making smaller incisions and even, in some cases, no incisions at all. This means that procedures are more comfortable for patients and take significantly less time to complete.
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Quicker, Easier Recoveries – The more precise, less invasive dental implant placement procedures made possible by image guided surgery mean less pain, swelling, bruising and discomfort after surgery for patients, and smaller incisions mean faster healing.
What are the advantages of dental implants over dentures or a dental bridge?
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Improved appearance: When you lose the entire tooth - crown and root - shrinkage of the jawbone may cause your face to look older. Dental implants can stop this process. A traditional denture or dental bridge doesn’t.
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Preserve natural teeth: With traditional dental bridges, teeth adjacent to missing teeth are normally ground down to be used as anchors for a dental bridge. Dental implants often eliminate the need to modify healthy teeth.
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Permanent solution: There are no loose parts to worry about losing. The dental implant is stable and comfortable. No adjustment is need after placement. Normally, it will serve its owner for life.
How will dental implants affect my life?
Dental implant-supported replacement teeth look, feel and function like natural teeth. This means that you can eat and drink whatever you choose. But most importantly, dental implants often improve quality of life in a very concrete way. People who have felt embarrassed and worried because of their tooth problems are often overwhelmed by what new permanent teeth can do for their self-esteem.
Will my new teeth look natural?
When dental implants are used in combination with modern restorative dentistry, their appearance, comfort and function are very likely to exceed your expectations. Often they are hard to tell apart from your natural teeth.
Will I be able to chew with the same force and pressure I use with my natural teeth?
Yes. Following a brief adaptation period, chewing capacity is comparable to that of natural teeth.
How much time is required for a dental implant placement?
Today, state-of-the-art guided surgical techniques are convenient alternatives to place dental implants and allow you to have the dental implant placed in a single session using keyhole surgery. This new method has significantly simplified the procedure, for both patients and dentists. The major advantage of the guided surgical technique is the minimal amount of manipulation of the soft tissue due to keyhole surgery. This significantly reduces the healing time and the discomfort normally associated with traditional dental implant surgical techniques.
The conventional process can take from three to six months. First, the dentist places the dental implant, which is left for three to six months to heal and integrate with the jawbone. During the healing period, you are given a temporary prosthesis until the permanent crown is put in place.
The procedure chosen depends on several factors, such as your dental health, the number of teeth involved and which teeth are replaced. These factors will also determine the total number of visits to the dentist throughout the treatment period.
Is the treatment painful?
With any surgery, there can be some discomfort. Placing one implant normally causes less discomfort then placing several. Anesthesia and patient sedation are commonly administered to help reduce any discomfort during the dental implant process. Most patients report that they were much more comfortable following the procedure than they had anticipated. Dr. Koski will prescribe medications to ease any discomfort that may occur.
How will I feel after the treatment?
It is normal to have some bruising and swelling in the gum and soft tissues. But usually the discomfort, if any, is treated with an ordinary painkiller. You should expect to be able to work the next day.
How will I care for my dental implants?
Your new teeth must be cared for and checked regularly, just like your natural teeth. Brush and floss as recommended by your dentist or dental hygienist. See your dentist in six months, or more frequently if so advised.