Dental Implants

When one or more of your teeth are lost due to periodontal disease or an accident, dental implants can be the best solution if you have an otherwise healthy mouth.

Made from titanium, dental implants last for many years, or, with proper care, throughout a lifetime. They can be used in place of a bridge or dentures and will renew a patient’s confidence in their smile as well as their ability to chew and talk without difficulty.

Dental Implant Procedure

An X-ray will help your oral surgeon determine if the jawbone is adequate for supporting the titanium posts (implant) that serve as the dental implant's root. If the jawbone is too soft or not thick enough, a bone graft may be necessary to create a more solid base. A model of the mouth will be taken to measure gaps.

If the patient suffers from certain heart conditions or has vascular or orthopedic implants, antibiotics may be prescribed to prevent infection after the dental implants are installed.

Once a thorough diagnosis is made, the patient is prepped for surgery using a local anesthetic, sometimes in combination with intravenous sedation. Titanium posts are anchored to the patient’s jawbone. The gum tissue heals around the abutment, but leaves the top area open. For those with multiple missing teeth, an implant-supported bridge or denture is used. In some situations, missing teeth can be replaced immediately on the implant while bone and gum tissue heals in preparation for the final, long-term restoration.

The entire dental implant procedure takes approximately three to nine months.

Recovery from Dental Implants

Surgery, done on an outpatient basis, may leave the patient’s gums sore for up to 10 days. Osseointegration occurs as bones grow around the posts, stabilizing the dental implants. Full lower-jaw dental implants will require six weeks to four months for adequately healing. Full upper-jaw dental implants require as long as nine months. Previously worn bridges and dentures must be lined with a soft material that will reduce pressure on the implants.

Eat soft foods, such as pudding or gelatin for five to seven days after each surgery. Stitches that aren’t self-dissolving should be removed in 10 days.

Contact your oral surgeon if you experience:
• infection
• injury or damage to surrounding area
• numbness or tingling to face and mouth
• sinus problems

The success rate for dental implants which are properly cared for is approximately 98 percent for lower implants and 91 percent for upper implants. The success rates for smokers are significantly lower. As with natural teeth, patients must continue to brush, floss, and visit the dentist regularly. Your oral surgeon will schedule follow-up visits with you to monitor the health of your implant and surrounding teeth and gum areas.

Helpful links:

http://www.ada.org/public/topics/implants.asp
http://www.perio.org/consumer/2m.htm

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