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Implant Dentistry

• Partial Edentulism
• Total Edentulism
• Frequently asked questions

Implant dentistry is the modern method of replacing missing teeth. Research shows that 85 percent of people who wear full or partial dentures experience some related discomfort and difficulty. Dental implants can eliminate those problems, restore self-confidence and improve the quality of life. From a single missing tooth to an entire set of teeth, dental implants can provide a permanent alternative to problem dentures, and help prevent the premature loss of remaining teeth. Dental implants can last a lifetime and are an excellent investment in oral health.

With dental implants, you can enjoy a greater variety of foods. Your mouth is restored as closely as possible to its original state, with increased comfort, and with preservation of facial structure. There is good possibility that jaw deterioration will be retarded. Best of all, you'll be able to smile more naturally, and you can be confident in normal activities such as talking and laughing.

Ocean View Dental Dental specializes in both the surgical and prosthetic phases of implant therapy. This means that we can give you the smile you are looking for directly from our office, with no need to refer you to another practice! We have a world-class Harvard-educated implant surgeon on staff ready to create your implants, which allows us to finish the entire implant process much faster.

Many people know the benefits of dental implants but dismiss the idea of having this wonderful procedure done due to the cost. However, after patients see how implants can be financed with workable payments at our office they are very surprised. Upon your first visit, one of our doctors will discuss what implants are, and whether or not they are a good candidate for you. Most importantly, our doctors will work with you towards your ideal smile.

Partial Edentulism

Traditionally, there have been several options for single or multiple tooth replacement. As a general rule, these methods have good esthetics, but lack long-term stability and adjacent teeth must be altered to provide the solution. In addition to the aforementioned problems, these methods also contribute greatly to bone loss in the area of edentulism. Dental implants, on the other hand, do provide long-term stability, do not subject the adjacent teeth to any alterations, and prevent bone loss. In addition, implants may be used to replace several teeth. This type of replacement requires more than one implant.

Total Edentulism

Patients which are totally edentulous, or missing all natural teeth have more unique options available to them. There are several ways of handling total edentulism, including dentures which attach to bars or snap onto balls, and even full-arch bridges that restore life-like chewing efficiency and esthetics. Most patients that suffer from total edentulism choose the conventional treatment of dentures. As with single teeth, there is a gradual erosion of the jawbone, leading to a more sunken facial appearance and "sliding" dentures. In addition to the alteration in facial appearance, the nerve in the jawbone becomes more and more exposed as erosion continues, resulting in unnecessary pain and suffering.

Dental implants provide several solutions to the problem of total edentulism. The first of which being a means of attaching a denture to several implants by means of snapping onto a bar or ball attachments. While this method does restore a great deal more chewing efficiency than conventional dentures, it does not restore total efficiency.

A more thorough method of restoring chewing efficiency is to place at least five implants in order to support a full-arch bridge. This method restores at least 90% of the efficiency achieved by natural teeth. The lower lip covers the junction of the fixed bridge and implants.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What procedures are used to insert dental implants?

  Placement of dental implants is a minor surgical procedure performed in one or two office visits. If you have one-stage implants, their metal tops will extend through the gums while your tissues heal, and you will not need a second surgery. If you have two-stage implants, they will be placed under the gums while the bone heals. You will need a second, simple surgery to uncover them and attach a post to support your replacement teeth. Your dentist's decision to do a one- or two-stage surgical procedure depends on a number of clinical factors, such as the amount of available bone and location of the implants. After the implants are placed, the bone attaches to them and permanently anchors them within your jaw. In the meantime, your dentist may adjust your full denture or partial prosthesis for temporary use.

• What are implants made of?

  Implants are made from a biologically-compatible and safe metal called Titanium. Titanium has been used for the purpose of dental and surgical implants for over 50 years.

• How will I benefit from dental implants?

  The first and most obvious benefit is the enhanced ability to chew and enjoy your food. Implants also eliminate the inconvenience associated with removable teeth. In addition to these benefits, dental implants help restore that "full" look, rather than giving a sunken facial appearance.

• Will dental implants work for me?

  Your dentist can do a full comprehensive evaluation to determine the availability of implants to you. Over the past 15 years, the option of dental implants is an one made available to nearly everyone through procedures that enable doctors to add bone in order to make implants viable.

• How many visits will implant treatment take?

  Every patient is unique and presents a distinct situation. Generally, the implant process provides for three stages. Stage one involves the placement of the implants themselves, stage two involves uncovering of those implants to place abutments which protrude through the gum line, and stage three encompasses the placement of permanent abutments to which the final prosthesis will be attached. The entire process spans five to seven months, dependent upon the areas of placement. In addition, there may be other preliminary procedures that make implants possible, such as extractions and bone grafts.

• Will I be without my teeth during the healing process?

  This depends upon your situation. Most patients can leave the procedure wearing some type of temporary or interim prosthesis. Partial dentures or dentures can be modified as not to disturb the implants healing beneath the gums. Generally, we ask our patients not to wear full or partial dentures for chewing, although, they can normally be worn for cosmetic purposes only for ten days after the stage one portion of implant treatment. After this initial period of ten days, most appliances can be worn normally..

• How long has dental implant treatment been performed?

  Implants are not new to the dental field by any means. The process and design of the procedure have been perfected since 1956. With modern procedures and placement in a sterile environment, the success rate for implants is very high. We currently experience a success rate in excess of 98%.

• Is there a difference between implant systems?

  Absolutely! The Branemark System (the one we use) is the only implant system capable of demonstrating long-term safety and efficacy through international multi-center studies. In addition, it is the only implant system fully approved for intraoral and craniofacial reconstruction.