Humber Valley Dental - dental implants


	Dental implants Are you concerned about one or several missing teeth? Do you have to avoid eating some of your favorite foods because of missing teeth? Are you embarrassed or experience difficulty in having an intimate relationship because of loose or unstable dentures? If you answered yes to either one of the above, then dental implants could offer a solution to your concern. Dental implants are the single most significant advancement in dentistry in our time. Missing teeth can now be replaced with stable, comfortable and natural looking and feeling artificial replacements. This remarkable advancement in dental treatment will significantly enhance the quality of life by restoring health, function, appearance and self-esteem. Applications of Dental Implants Our Expertise Frequently asked questions about Dental Implants
	There are many applications for the use of dental implant: See Patient Education Videos >
	Single tooth replacement Traditionally, when a tooth was lost, a fixed bridge was the treatment of choice.
	With a fixed bridge, the teeth on each side of the missing tooth are prepared for crowns (caps). The missing tooth is connected to the crowns and the fixed bridge is cemented to place.
	A dental implant may now be the best way and also the standard of care to replace a missing tooth. The teeth on each side of the space no longer need to be prepared for crowns. More importantly, the implant stops the loss of bone which always accompanies tooth loss. The implant looks, feels and functions like the natural tooth it replaces.
	Multiple Missing Teeth When several teeth are missing, treatment options often include a partial denture. Partial dentures clasp around the remaining natural teeth to stay in place and must be removed for cleaning (and often taken out just for comfort). The problem with partial dentures is that they can be uncomfortable, unstable especially without enough anchoring teeth and put additional stress on the natural teeth that they clasp around. Dental implants can provide the solution.
	Several dental implants are placed within the bone in the areas that teeth are missing. The number of implants required will vary depending upon the number of teeth to be replaced. After the dental implants have integrated completely with the bone, fixed teeth are made and cemented to the implants. The result is fixed teeth that can look and feel more like natural teeth
	Full Denture Support If you have full dentures, you know the problems they present. Sore spots, food getting underneath them, slipping and a host of other problems only a denture wearer can fully understand. Dentures can also increase the rate of bone loss due to their movement which further increases their instability. Dental implants can provide the much needed comfort, confidence and freedom and truly ensures a return to your quality of life.
	In most cases, four to six dental implants are placed into the jaw bone. After complete integration with the bone, a bar or individual attachments is connected to the implants and an implant supported overdenture is made that snaps securely onto the attachments. Since the denture is firmly attached, there are no slipping or sore spots. For an upper denture, the plastic portion on the roof of your mouth can be removed. This can enhance the taste of foods. And as the implants replace the roots of the missing teeth, the rate of bone loss beneath the overdentures is greatly reduced.
	Our expertise: We are pleased to offer detailed treatment planning, surgical placement and restoration of dental implants in our office in one comfortable location. Dr. Gautham has completed the Comprehensive training in Implant Dentistry; a residency program offered by the Medical College of Georgia. This training has given her the knowledge and the skills necessary to perform safe, efficient and effective surgeries. Dr. Gautham is also an accredited member of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry (www.aaid.com).Dr. Jutras completed several courses in the planning and restoration of dental implants from the Toronto Implant Study Club. If you would like to know if dental implants are right for you or how dental implants could change your life, call us for a consultation. Frequently asked questions and concerns about Dental Implants: What is a dental implant? A dental implant is a Titanium post, shaped like a wood screw which is surgically placed into the upper or lower jaw bone. It replaces the root of the missing tooth .The dental implant anchors into the jawbone by a process called osseointegration in which the bone cells or ostoeblasts deposit bone around the implant What is the procedure involved to replace a tooth with a dental implant? The procedure starts with complete diagnosis and treatment planning. The purpose of this is to ensure that there is adequate amount of jaw bone available to support the implant in the early healing stage. The surgery to place a dental implant in the jawbone involves making a cut or incision in the predetermined site. The bone is expanded to the size of the implant to be placed and the implant is inserted in place. The tissues are stitched or sutured into place and the area is allowed to heal in place. A temporary tooth may be used during the healing period if the implant is being placed in the front of the mouth. After 4-6 months of healing, the implant is tested for stability and a porcelain crown; which has the exact similar appearance of the adjacent teeth, is either cemented or screwed over the implant the look and feel is that of a natural tooth- fixed and permanent. How do I know if I am a candidate for dental implant? The most important factors for success with dental implants are stable general health and adequate amount of available bone. Our diagnosis procedure will sometimes require a cone beam CT scan of the jaw bone to measure the amount of jaw bone available to place the implants in a safe manner. We may also request input from your family doctor if there are concerns about the stability of health conditions. What are the risks with dental implants? Risks with dental implants are most likely due to improper planning and selection. Pain, infection, swelling and bleeding can sometimes occur after surgery. There can be a risk of nerve injury if dental implants are placed close to the nerve especially in the lower jaw. CT scans are often used to predict the exact position of the nerve and also for planning the right size of implant even before the surgery to greatly reduce the risk of nerve injury. Antibiotic regimen is started before implant surgery to reduce the risk of swelling and infection. In spite of all efforts for successful surgery and restoration, dental implants can sometimes fail and incidence of failure is low, about 2-4%. But smokers have a higher rate of failure; of about 2-30%. If you are a smoker and are considering having dental implants, it is important to understand this risk. How successful are dental implants? In a number of research studies, dental implants are proven to have high success rates of about 96-98% over 15 yrs. This is higher than the success rates of fixed bridges and dentures. But like with any medical device, dental implants also require regular maintenance in the form of good hygiene care at home and regular professional checkups in order to be functional and successful. How much do dental implants cost and can I afford it? The cost of dental implants depend on the number of dental implants being considered, the type of prosthesis or restoration and the need for adding bone in the form of bone graft if there is an inadequate amount of available bone. This is determined at the consultation appointment. The cost of implants is broken down into surgical and restorative costs. Generally, the cost of dental implant surgery in adequate bone is $1400. This does not include the cost of the crown, bridge or denture. Once the restorative needs are known, a total cost estimate will be provided following the consultation appointment and a predetermination can be sent to your insurance. What if I am afraid of surgery? In most cases, the surgery to place a dental implant is a very well planned and controlled procedure and therefore very little trauma or ill-effects are encountered. For people who are anxious about surgery, we offer conscious sedation with oral sedatives which help most people to relieve anxiety and offer relaxation. For patients who are highly anxious or for complex surgeries, we would request the expertise of an oral surgeon to offer IV sedation for deeper relaxation.