Dental implants are changing the way people live. They are designed to provide a foundation for replacement teeth that look, feel, and function like natural teeth. The person who has lost teeth regains the ability to eat virtually anything, knowing that teeth appear natural and that facial contours will be preserved. Patients with dental implants can smile with confidence.
The implants themselves are tiny titanium posts that are surgically placed into the jawbone where teeth are missing. These metal anchors act as tooth root substitutes. The bone bonds with the titanium, creating a strong foundation for artificial teeth. Small posts that protrude through the gums are then attached to the implant. These posts provide stable anchors for artificial replacement teeth.
Implants also help preserve facial structure, preventing bone deterioration that occurs when teeth are missing.
For most patients, the placement of dental implants involves a single 30 minute procedure. Patients will often come in during their lunch time and return to work after this surgical appointment. First, implants are placed within your jawbone. For the first two to three months following surgery, the implants gradually bonding with the jawbone. Your dentist can work with the surgeon and make you a temporary restoration to be worn during the healing period. Our doctors will often place the temporary so that you will leave the office with a tooth replacement.
Most often the procedure is done as a single stage where only one surgical visit is necessary. In some cases the implant may be placed below the gum to allow for additional bone growth. In that case, a simple, painless procedure will be done to uncover the top of the implant once it has healed.
After the implant has bonded to the jawbone, the second phase begins. Your surgeon will check to make sure the implant has healed and will then refer you back to your dentist to have the crown placed. In some cases your dentist may ask us to place the abutment. The abutment is the small post which connects the implant to the crown.
When the artificial teeth are placed, these posts will not be seen. The entire procedure usually takes two to four months. Most patients experience little to no disruption in their daily life and immediately resume all normal activities.
Using the most recent advances in dental implant technology, Dr's. Kirsch and Sandau are able to place single stage implants. These implants do not require a second procedure to uncover them. There are even situations where the implants can be placed at the same time as a tooth extraction – further minimizing the number of surgical procedures and office visits.
Dental Implant placement is a team effort between an oral and maxillofacial surgeon and a restorative dentist. While Dr's. Kirsch, Sandau & Jacobs performs the actual implant surgery, initial tooth extractions, and bone grafting if necessary, the restorative dentist (your dentist) fits and makes the permanent prosthesis. Your dentist can also make any temporary prosthesis needed during the implant process. Don't worry if you do not have your own dentist. The NJ Center for Oral Surgery works many qualified dentists and will be happy to help you find the right one.
A single prosthesis (crown) is used to replace one missing tooth – each prosthetic tooth attaches to its own implant. A partial prosthesis (fixed bridge) can replace two or more teeth and may require only two or three implants. A complete dental prosthesis (fixed bridge) replaces all the teeth in your upper or lower jaw. The number of implants varies depending upon which type of complete prosthesis (removable or fixed) is recommended. A removable prosthesis (over denture) attaches to a bar or ball in socket attachments, whereas a fixed prosthesis is permanent and removable only by the dentist.
Our doctors perform in-office implant surgery in a operating suite, thus optimizing the level of sterility.
Once you learn about dental implants, you finally realize there is a way to improve you life. When you lose several teeth – whether it's a new situation or something you have lived with for years – chances are you have never become fully accustomed to losing such a vital part of yourself.
Dental implants can be your doorway to renewed self-confidence and peace of mind.
A Swedish scientist and orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Per-Ingvar Branemark, developed this concept for oral rehabilitation more than 35 years ago. With his pioneering research, Dr. Branemark opened the door to a lifetime of renewed comfort and self-confidence for millions of individuals facing the frustration and embarrassment of tooth loss.
There are several reasons: Why sacrifice the structure of surrounding good teeth to bridge a space? In addition, removing a denture or a “partial” at night may be inconvenient, not to mention that dentures that slip can be uncomfortable and rather embarrassing.
If you are considering implants, your mouth must be examined thoroughly and your medical and dental history reviewed. If you mouth is not ideal for implants, ways of improving outcome, such as bone grafting, may be recommended.
The majority of dental implants and bone graft can be performed in the office under local anesthesia, with or without general anesthesia.
Once the implants are in place, they will serve you well for many years if you take care of them and keep your mouth healthy. This means taking the time for good oral hygiene (brushing and flossing) and keeping regular appointments with your dental specialists.
If you would like see a video presentation about dental implants please click the underlined link below. Kindly note there are several important updates to the video. The first is that many implants take less than 8 weeks to heal (the video states 6 months). The second is that patient may resume a normal diet almost immediately after their procedure. Finally, the procedure is done in the office under local anesthesia with or without sedation (not hospital).
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