About Dental Implants
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What are Dental Implants?
Dental Implant Presentation
To provide you with a better understanding of dental implants, we have provided the following multimedia presentation. Many common questions pertaining to dental implants are discussed.
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Dental implants are tiny titanium posts that are placed into the jawbone where teeth are missing. The bone bonds with the titanium, creating a strong foundation for artificial teeth. Dental implants provide a foundation for replacement teeth that look, fell, and function like natural teeth. Implants allow a person to regain the ability to eat virtually anything and can smile with confidence, knowing that their teeth appear natural and the structure of their face has been preserved. In addition, implants help to preserve the remaining bone, preventing further deterioration, which occurs when teeth are missing.
Dental implants are changing the way people live! It provides for greater comfort and confidence to eat, speak, laugh and enjoy life. There has been a tremendous increase in the use of dental implants in the past few years. They are among the most predictable and long lasting methods to replace missing teeth. Dental implants allow for a missing tooth to be replaced without having to grind down the adjacent teeth.
Dr. Rattner has received extensive training in implantology. He has been successfully placing implants since 1985. He has been trained by Dr. Gerald Niznick, the inventor of the core-vent implant system and Dr. Per I. Branemark, the inventor of the Branemark implant system. These two implant systems are the gold standard that all other implant systems are measured against.
There are 4 phases to implant treatment. They are:
- Diagnosis / Treatment Planning
- Implant Placement - Implant Uncovering and “Teeth-in-a-day”
- Prosthetic Phase (a.k.a making the permanant teeth)
- Maintenance Phase
1. Diagnosis and treatment planning.
It is first necessary to determine if a patient is a good candidate for implants. Dr. Rattner and your dentist will determine this. If you seem like a good candidate, it would be necessary to undergo an implant examination where x-rays are taken to determine the feasibility of this treatment. In addition to standard dental radiographs, Dr. Rattner uses a panoramic x-ray to determine your body's ability to support a dental implant before any treatment takes place. This helps to assure many years of comfort and function from your dental implants. On rare occasion, it may be necessary to have a jaw cat-scan performed, so all important structures can be seen.
Dr. Rattner will work closely with your dentist to formulate your treatment plan and then present his findings to you during a treatment conference. Your questions and concerns are important to us and our team will work with you very closely to help make your procedure a success. We will also discuss fees and insurance coverage. Insurance coverage for implants is varied and we will be happy to assist you in obtaining any benefits to which you may be entitled.
2. Implant Placement- Implant Uncovering
The implants are titanium posts that are inserted into the bone. Implants act as tooth root substitutes. The implant only replaces the root of the missing tooth not the whole tooth. First, the gum and bone is made numb with a local anesthetic. The implant is gently inserted into the bone where it will undergo a process called osseointegration. This means that the bone will attach and grow onto the implant surface. This phase takes between 6-12 weeks in most cases, depending on the condition of the bone*. The implants can be submerged under the gum during this healing phase or they can be left exposed flush with the gum. A second procedure will be needed to expose the implant if they are initially submerged. If the implant was not submerged, the prosthetic phase can begin once osseointegration is complete. Many times a single tooth can be replaced with 3 visits and only 8 weeks of time.
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Bone is exposed |
Numbed area is prepared |
Implant post is |
Post in its |
A second procedure* will be needed to expose the implants if the implants were submerged at the time of placement. A small incision is made in the gum in the area of the dental implants and a titanium healing abutment is placed on top of the implant. The prosthetic phase can usually begin in 2-3 weeks time.
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Submerged abutments are |
Healing caps are inserted |
Gums are sutured around |
Immediate place-Immediate load implant treatment (TEETH-IN-A DAY)
In recent years, “Teeth-in-a-day” therapy has been developed. This is where the implants are placed and temporary teeth are put on those implants in the same day. These immediate teeth are temporaries which will be replaced with the more permanent teeth once the healing has been attained. This treatment can now be performed in the majority of dental implant cases. However, every patient’s situation is unique, and the possibility of this treatment has to be determined on a patient by patient basis.
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3. Prosthetic Phase ( Making the final teeth)
The replacement teeth that are held in place be the dental implants will be fabricated by your dentist. This will take varying lengths of time depending on the type of restoration planned. Your dentist will discuss this with you before treatment begins. Your implant restoration may be cemented onto the implants, or it may be screwed into place. Implants can be used to replace a single tooth, a segment of missing teeth, or a whole arch of missing teeth. Implants can also be used to secure a loose denture.
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Single tooth implant. |
Multiple single-tooth implants in same jaw. |
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Implant-Supported Lower Denture |
Implant-Supported Upper Denture |
Multiple-Tooth Dental Implant |
Just like natural teeth, dental implants need ongoing maintenance if you are to realize their full benefit over many decades. This will include proper care at home as well as professional maintenance. Dr. Rattner will work closely with your dentist to custom tailor your maintenance program to your specific needs. Most patients experience minimal disruption to their daily lives when undergoing dental implant treatment. Most people never have to walk around without teeth during the entire process. This will be discussed with you before any treatment takes place. We believe in no surprises!!
RECONSTRUCTIVE PERIODONTICS • DENTAL IMPLANTS • BOYNTON BEACH • FLORIDA