Dental Implants

  • A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that a periodontist places into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge. Dental implants are an ideal option for people in good general oral health who have lost a tooth or teeth due to periodontal disease, an injury, or some other reason.

    While high-tech in nature, dental implants are actually more tooth-saving than traditional bridgework, since implants do not rely on neighboring teeth for support.

    Dental implants are so natural-looking and feeling, you may forget you ever lost a tooth. You know that your confidence about your teeth affects how you feel about yourself, both personally and professionally. Perhaps you hide your smile because of spaces from missing teeth. Maybe your dentures don't feel secure. Perhaps you have difficulty chewing. If you are missing one or more teeth and would like to smile, speak and eat again with comfort and confidence, there is good news! Dental implants are teeth that can look and feel just like your own! Under proper conditions, such as placement by a periodontist and diligent patient maintenance, implants can last a lifetime. Long-term studies continue to show improving success rates for implants.

  • Q. What Are the Benefits of Dental Implants?

    A. Dental implants have given countless patients many amazing benefits.

    • You will smile again

    • Improved appearance

    • Improved comfortImproved speech

    • Eat better, enjoy more foods, better nutrition

    • Convenience

    • Improved self-esteem

    Q. What might prevent me from being a candidate?

    A. There are some medical factors that might prevent a person from being a good candidate for dental implants. Some of these may be uncontrolled diabetes, chemotherapy or radiation therapy, parathyroid disorders, blood disorders, rare bone disorders or bone marrow cancer. Some physical factors may include insufficient or poor quality bone, low sinuses or nerve bundles.

    Q. Is there an age limitation for dental implants?

    A. No. Any person at any age can have dental implants as long as there is enough bone available in which to place the implants.

    Q. How often the implants need to be checked?

    A. The success of your implants will depend greatly on how well you maintain them. They will need to be professionally cleaned by a hygienist and examined by your implant dentist every three to four months. This hygienist should be trained in the specific procedure of maintaining dental implants. Also, brushing and flossing daily is absolutely necessary for long-term success.

    Q. Is dental implant surgery painful?

    A. No. An effective local anesthetic is used during the surgery so that you do not have any discomfort during the placement of the implants. The mild discomfort you might experience after surgery can be controlled with medications.

    Q. When can I return to work after implant surgery?

    A. You can go to work the next day, unless some particular surgical circumstance arises. Your implant dentist will discuss all postoperative instructions with you.

  • PAIN: You may have some pain as a result of surgery. For mild pain, take 2 Tylenol or Advil every 4 hours. If other analgesics are prescribed, take as directed.

    SWELLING: Some swelling can be expected. For one hour, apply an ice pack to the face: 10 minutes on and 10 minutes off. After 24 hours, warm packs or a heating pad may be used over swollen area. Also, after 24 hours, warm salt rinsed (1 tsp. Salt in 8 oz of water) will aid in reducing the swelling. If swelling occurs it usually reaches a maximum on the 3rd day and then goes down. This is normal. If you think you are running a fever or if the swelling is extremely large and causing difficulty, please call.

    ANTIBIOTICS: If prescribed, please take as directed. You are to take all of the medication. IF YOU NOTICE ANY REACTION SUCH AS RASH OR ITCHING, DISCONTINUE USE AND CALL THE OFICE.

    BLEEDING: you may see a few drops of blood in the saliva today. This is normal. If the bleeding persists, apply direct pressure to the area for 10 to 20 minutes. Repeat if necessary. Do not spit or rinse. This will prolong the bleeding.

    SURGICAL DRESSING: A dressing may have been placed to protect the surgical area. It will harden within a few hours. Avoid very hot food or drink for a week, as they will soften the dressing. Avoid chewing on the side of the surgery. DO NOT BRUSH IN THE AREA OF THE SURGERY. Continue to brush and floss the rest of the mouth. Avoid smoking.

    RINSING: You should not rinse today. In about 24 hours, if convenient, begin rinsing after each meal with a glass of ½ water and ½ Listerine. This will keep the surgical area clean. If Peridex has been prescribed, rinse twice daily.

    DIET: Soft food (ground beef, fish, soft cheeses, etc.) are recommended for the first few days. You may eat anything soft that does not irritate. Certain fruit juices, highly seasoned foods and spices may irritate the area. TRY TO EAT OPPOSITE THE SURGERY.

    LOSS OF DRESSING: The dressing contains no medicine and is solely a protective covering. If it should come off, there is no danger. Keep the area clean by swabbing with a moist Q-tip.

    SUTURES: If you have sutures, do not remove them. Sutures look like black, green or white threads.