Dental Implants
Dental Implants 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.
What are dental implants?
A natural tooth consists of 2 parts, a root, and a crown. If you compare natural teeth to implant-supported replacement teeth, patients will see they have the same necessary parts. Both have a crown, which is the visible part used to chew food. Both have a root that holds the tooth securely anchored into the jaw under the gum. The difference is that the titanium of the implant – the same time-tested material used by surgeons for artificial joints. When a patient loses a tooth, they lose both the root and the crown. To replace the tooth, the surgeon first replaces the root with a small dental implant.
Time is allowed for bone to heal and grow around the dental implant. The bone bonds with the titanium, creating a strong foundation for artificial teeth. We place a support post (abutment) on the implant, and a dentist places a new replacement tooth (crown)on top of the abutment. In several cases, an attachment of a temporary replacement tooth to the implant after placement. If all of the teeth are missing, a variety of treatment options are available to support the replacement teeth.
“Don’t be afraid to Smile.”
For years I’d felt like a part of my body was missing — because my teeth were. My dentist told me that dental implants would make me feel and look a lot better. OK, I said. Now, I’m thrilled. I can smile, eat anything, and enjoy a good laugh with my friends.
Surgical Advances in Dental Implants
Buffalo Oral Surgery uses the most up to date modern innovation in dental implant technology. Drs. Schulenberg, L’Heureux, Bracci, and Uribe Rivera can place single stage implants. These implants do not require a second procedure to uncover them but do require a minimum of six weeks of healing time before the placement of artificial teeth. There are even some situations where the installation of the implant occurs at the same time as the tooth extraction – which will minimize the number of surgical procedures.
Dental implant placementDental implant placement is a team effort between an oral and maxillofacial surgeon and a restorative dentist. Drs. Schulenberg, L’Heureux, Bracci, or Uribe Rivera performs the actual implant surgery, initial tooth extractions, and bone grafting if necessary. The restorative dentist (your dentist) fits and makes the permanent prosthesis. The dentist will also make any temporary prosthesis needed during the implant process.
