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With Dental Implants Do you find yourself covering your mouth when you smile because of embarrassing missing teeth? Dental implants are a permanent solution to missing teeth, a true alternative to traditional dentures. Implants actually allow you to continue enjoying your favorite foods, and can also give you the confidence you desire to enjoy an active life, both professionally and socially. A Proven Technological Achievement Over 30 years of research and active use have demonstrated that dental implants are an effective and predictable choice of treatment for tooth loss. Thanks to dental implants, permanent tooth replacement can now ensure an attractive cosmetic smile, as well as better food digestion, etc. In many cases, implants can be employed to replace individual missing or damaged teeth; or to support a fixed bridge, eliminating the necessity of a removable partial - or full - denture. Implants can also minimize irritation to the gums, as well as pain typically associated with conventional partial or full dentures. Implants can restore your confidence by providing you with "teeth" that look and feel like your very own. Read more on the subject by selecting the links below: * What are dental implants? * Are dental implants right for me? * The dental implant treatment process * Frequently asked questions (FAQs) * Home Page  What are Dental Implants?A dental implant is a small, titanium post that is surgically placed on a person's upper or lower jawbone by a trained dentist. Dental implants serve as a substitute or replacement tooth root, while a dental prosthesis (which is applied at the end of the dental implant process) acts as the actual replacement tooth. Intended to replace the root of a missing tooth, implants can serve to provide an anchor for various types of existing dental prosthesis such as single crowns, bridges, partial or full dentures, etc. They are designed to provide a solid, stable foundation upon which a replacement tooth can be attached. Implants are firmly anchored into the jawbone through a process called osseointegration - a natural process where the bone and implant become integrated, thereby providing the same stability as natural teeth. This combination of state-of-the-art technology and natural integration - also known as tooth replacement therapy - makes it possible for a person to be furnished with replacement teeth that look, feel and function exactly like natural teeth. The Solution: Tooth Replacement Therapy Tooth Replacement Therapy should be considered if you or someone you know is experiencing any of the following difficulties: * The loss of one or more teeth; * Impending loss of a bridge when a tooth fails; * Unattractive changes in facial features; * Lack of confidence when speaking or smiling; * Difficulty chewing certain foods; and/or * Loose denture or partial denture. Your prosthesis can be removable or fixed or a combination of both. A fixed prosthesis is designed so that only your restorative dentist can take it out. A fixed prosthesis can be used to replace one, several, or all of your teeth. For single tooth replacements, fixed prostheses are typically attached directly to the implant. A removable prosthesis is designed to attach firmly to the abutments by means of a clip or other attachment; they must be taken out for cleaning. They are often used to replace a full set of teeth. Are Implants Right for You?Generally speaking, individuals of virtually any age and lifestyle needing to replace teeth will likely benefit from dental implants, assuming they are otherwise in reasonably good health. The patient's mouth is examined thoroughly, and X-rays are taken of the head, jaw and teeth to determine if they are a suitable candidate for dental implants. Typical factors we consider when evaluating patients for this procedure include: * Where the implant will be placed; * The type and amount of bone available in the jaw to use as a base; * Whether implants can be used to replace individual missing teeth without risking other, healthier teeth - or whether implants would be serve as support for new or existing partial or full dentures; and * The general design and configuration of the tooth (or teeth) that will be placed on the implant with respect to adjacent teeth; Each patient's needs are different, and must be handled individually. We are always happy to discuss options with you, to help patients determine what approaches would work best for each individual's situation. It is also important to remember that implants are not a "quick fix", but rather a long term solution. Treatment will require several months. The surgical phase of implant treatments is typically performed in two stages, although it can sometimes be done in one stage. After the gums have healed and the implant has integrated with the bone, your new teeth will be fitted. A crown or bridgework will then be attached to the top of your new implant. The Dental Implant Treatment Process In the early 1950's, the Swedish scientist Per-Ingvar Branemark discovered that titanium was able to bond with bone and thus began the implants we now know today. Professor Branemark's first dental implants were placed over 30 years ago, and they continue to function perfectly even today. Since then, hundreds of thousands of patients around the world have successfully used the Branemark System® for tooth replacement. This system is comprised of a few steps divided into two phases: implant replacement, and the restorative phases. Step 1: Evaluation The dentist performs a complete examination involving x-rays to determine if you are a suitable candidate for dental implants. Each patient's needs are handled individually. It is important to note that in some cases a patient's jawbone may require a period of healing before implant treatment can begin (when bone graft is indicated). However, if you have no teeth of your own, preparatory treatment may be unnecessary. Step 2: Implant Placement During this step, the dentist essentially creates a new root for the tooth by fitting a small, titanium screw-like implant into your jawbone. This implant placement takes about 2-3 hours, and is usually conducted while the patient is under ordinary local or general anesthesia. Typically, the patient does not experience any major discomfort as a result of the surgery. For cases where only one tooth is missing, a single implant may be placed. By comparison, if five or more of the implants are needed, a totally edentulous jaw may be used as well, but this may vary by case. Step 3: Osseointegration Period Dubbed by Professor Branemark as the osseointegration process, the titanium screws are permitted to bond with one's jawbone. When an implant osseointegrates, it often becomes completely integrated into your jawbone. This bond between titanium and bone is oftentimes stronger than with an original tooth root. If you have some of your own teeth remaining, you may be able to wear a temporary bridge during this period, in which case you can still continue wearing your existing bridge or denture as before. In most cases, osseointegration occurs within three to six months, depending upon whether this involves the upper or lower jaw. Step 4: Connecting the Abutment The doctor next attaches extensions, known as abutments, to the implants already in place. These abutments allow for the finished bridge to be attached through the gums. Step 5: Prosthetic Work After the abutment connection has been complete, and your provisional theeth have been worn for a period of four months. During a series of followup visits, you and your dentist will make decisions about the final appeareance of your teeth. Once these new teeth have met all the necessary requirements for both you and the dentist, they are configured and placed in your mouth. After The Procedure Once completed, the new implant(s) will look, work and feel just like they are a natural part of you. As with any individual's natural teeth, dental implants require ongoing, routine dental care - including daily care, such as brushing, etc. Patients also should have their implants checked on a regular basis by their dentist. |
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Israel Ismaj DDS |
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Cosmetic & Dental Implants |
619-702-4204 715 J Street Suite 107 San Diego, CA 92101 |
