Dental implants are the single most significant advancement in dentistry in the last 50 year. Missing teeth can now be replaced with stable, comfortable and natural looking and feeling artificial replacements.
There are many applications for the use of dental implant:
• Single tooth replacement
• Multiple teeth replacement
• Full denture support
• "Mini" implants
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. Dental implants now allow you to replace the missing tooth without the need to prepare any other teeth. The implant replaces the missing natural tooth root and the replacement tooth is attached to implant. The implant looks, feels and functions much like the natural tooth it replaces. A dental implant may now be the best way to replace a missing tooth.
The procedure is quite simple. A small hole is drilled into the bone at the location of the missing tooth. A small titanium alloy screw (the implant) is placed into the prepared site. The implant is allowed to heal for 4-5 months. During this time, you can wear a temporary tooth replacement. You won't even know the implant is there. After healing is complete, the implant is uncovered with a laser and the final tooth is fabricated. The result is amazing.
Multiple Missing Teeth
When several teeth are missing, treatment options often include a partial denture. Partial dentures clasp around the remaining natural teeth and can be taken out for cleaning (and often taken out just for comfort). The problem with partial dentures are that they can be uncomfortable 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. Dental implants can provide the much needed relief to improve comfort and return your quality of life.
In most cases, four dental implants are placed into the jaw bone. After complete integration with the bone, a bar is connected to the implants and a denture is made that snaps securely onto the bar. Since the denture is firmly attached to the bar, there is 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.
"Mini" Implants
"Mini" implants are a newer alternative to traditional dental implants. They gained popularity due to their ease of placement, immediate results and lower cost. They were originally designed as temporary support during the healing period of traditional implants. A significant majority of these temporary "mini" implants remained well integrated. Today, we can use "mini" implants alone to support an upper and/or lower denture.
Four or more small diameter "mini" implants are placed in the lower jaw. The portion of the implant protruding from the gum tissue has a small ball at its end. Caps that contain small rubber o-rings are placed into the denture. When the denture is seated, these o-rings snap over the balls on the implants securing the denture. For most denture suffers, it provides a remarkable improvement. All in a single day !
Galileos Cone-Beam Scanner
GALILEOS sets new standards combining the lowest radiation dosage with superior image quality. Offering intuitive operation and optimized clinical workflow providing efficiency in both dentistry and 3D diagnostics – proven by numerous international clinical studies. GALILEOS represents the future of dentistry and is now available at Dr. Brown's office. 3D diagnostic ability to see where we have not been able to see before. Medical grade CT scans have been available for some time, but the cost has been expensive and there is a significant amount of radiation exposure to the patient. In dentistry, it has been traditionally reserved for extremely complex cases where traditional x-rays and panoramic images were inadequate. The Galileos cone-beam scanner results in extremely low radiation to the patient, on par with traditional film based panoramic radiographs. Yet the scans are superior in quality to medical grade CT scanners. Implant planning can be easily accomplished. We can know the final outcome before treatment is actually begun. No more guess work that can often result with using traditional panoramic radiographs.
We are pleased to offer this exciting technology to our patients.
Experience
Dr. Clark Brown has been placing and restoring dental implants since 1982. He is one of the first dentists in the world to become board certified as a Diplomate by the American Board of Oral Implantology / Implant Dentistry. He is also a Diplomate of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, a Diplomate of the American Society of Osseointegration, a Fellow of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry and a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. Dr. Brown is experienced in most dental implant systems and is constantly keeping current with the latest materials and techniques.
Whether you need a single dental implant, multiple dental implants or implants to support your denture, you owe it to yourself to discover how Dr. Brown can help improve your life.
Call us at (321) 259-9429 to schedule a consultation appointment.