Single or Multiple Implants

WHAT IS A DENTAL OR TOOTH IMPLANT?

A dental implant is a titanium screw that functions as an artificial tooth root which is surgically inserted into the jawbone. It acts as an anchor to support a single crown, bridge, or denture.

In order to be a good candidate for an implant, the patient must be evaluated for stable oral health with adequate and healthy gums and a jawbone that is capable of supporting the implant.

The dental implant has 3 main components:

1. The Implant is the titanium screw placed inside the jawbone.
2. The Abutment connects the implant and is seen projecting upward from the gums. This is used to create a tooth substructure.
3. The Crown goes over the abutment to complete the restoration of the tooth structure and anatomy.

IS DENTAL IMPLANT RIGHT FOR ME?

Dr Nodesh will conduct a comprehensive dental exam and determine if you are a candidate for dental implant restoration. After taking a 3-Dimensional Cone beam scan and planning, he may decide to place some bone first, depending on bone availability.

You may consider dental implants if:

• You are missing one or more teeth
• You are unable or unwilling to wear dentures
• You want to improve the quality of your speech and chewing
• You want more natural-looking teeth

The titanium implant fuses to your jawbone and the materials do not decay like your own teeth.

WHAT TO EXPECT ON THE DAY OF IMPLANT PLACEMENT SURGERY?

Dental implant surgery is an outpatient surgery and is fairly straightforward with good pre-planning. The following may be some of the steps involved:

If present, removal of damaged tooth:

• After removal of damaged tooth, it may be possible to place the implant on the same day.
• If implant placement is not possible the same day, a bone graft is placed and then the patient may have to wait for a few months before the dental implant can be placed.

If the tooth is already missing:

• Implant placement is performed if there is adequate bone.
• If the bone is inadequate, bone grafting can be done prior to implant placement.

* After the implant is placed, it is covered with healing abutment or a cover screw to allow healing. 

CAN I GET TEETH THE SAME DAY WITH MY IMPLANTS?

• For a single missing tooth, if adequate bone support is present, Dr. Nodesh may give you a temporary tooth the same day, This is done usually in aesthetic areas of the mouth.
• If replacement of an entire set of upper or lower teeth with multiple implants is necessary, receiving fixed teeth on the same day is possible.

HOW DO I CARE FOR MY DENTAL IMPLANT?

Regular brushing, flossing, and checkups with regular hygiene are all that is needed to maintain implants.

If you have a full arch of dental implants, along with regular care, the bridge may need to be removed periodically by a prosthodontist to clean underneath. Our team may determine your care protocol based on hygiene and other factors.

WHERE CAN DENTAL IMPLANTS BE USED?

• Implants are versatile. If you are missing only one tooth, an implant plus a replacement tooth will do the trick.
• If you are missing several teeth in a row, a few strategically placed implants can support a multiple missing teeth.
• If you have lost all your teeth, a full bridge or full denture may be fixed in your mouth with a strategic number of implants.

WHAT ARE ADVANTAGES OF IMPLANT DENTURES & IMPLANT BRIDGES?

• Conventional dentures are not fixed to the bone and can therefore be unstable. This can make it difficult to eat or smile with confidence. Implants not only look more natural, but feel and act more like normal teeth, with a stronger biting force.
• Since implant-supported dentures and bridges don’t directly rely on neighboring teeth for support, implants don’t compromise the health of your natural teeth.
• There is no need for denture adhesives with an implant-supported denture.