The loss of some or all of your teeth can be a devastating experience – both psychologically and more importantly, from a health perspective. Given the lack of adequate chewing surfaces, as a result of tooth loss, restricts the type of foods one can eat and enjoy, and directly affects the quality of life. For many people, wearing full or partial dentures, not only affect how they look, eat or speak, but also affects their confidence, security and self esteem. Whether you have lost your teeth from lack of dental information, an accident or the inability to afford proper dental care at some time in your life, full or partial dentures have been less than a natural replacement.

Dentures, especially lower complete dentures, seldom fit well – often causing irritation to the fragile soft tissues on which they seat. The ill-fitting appliance thus results in pain and discomfort, often times necessitating adjustments, resulting in the loosening of the denture, entrapment of food under the denture and a multitude of other undesirable situations. Often, denture adhesives have to be utilized to hold the prosthesis in place, and invariably, have to be re-applied several times during the day to maintain a seal for the denture. All along the underlying bone continues to resorb and shrink, resulting in the further “natural loosening” of the denture, necessitating the reline or rebase of the denture, or the fabrication of a new denture -- for the cycle to repeat!

For the dejected, frustrated, depressed, ill-fitting DENTURE WEARER (complete or partial) – there is finally a solution …. . Implants have entered into the “denture market” in a very positive way. For some people, particularly persons with loose or poor fitting dentures (due to flat ridges --severely resorbed), utilizing as few as two dental implants can radically increase the retention of the dentures. An implant retained denture prosthesis has helped allay the fears of the complete denture wearer, by adding significantly more retention to the prosthesis resulting in added comfort, function and confidence. A consultation with one of our doctors and our oral surgeons is required to evaluate the candidate for implant supported prosthetics.

Conventional bridges are often utilized to replace an isolated missing tooth (or teeth), provided a sound natural tooth exists in front-of and behind the missing tooth or teeth. In order for a bridge to be fabricated, the adjacent teeth (on both sides) need to be prepared (reduced significantly in all dimensions with a dental drill) to enable the dental laboratory to fabricate a splinted multi-tooth prosthetic, which is then cemented over the prepared teeth. This approach was the “state of the art” of yesteryear, but with the advent and common utilization of dental implants in “today’s world”, makes this approach one less preferred, primarily because of the mutilation of the adjacent healthy teeth. Some of the primary disadvantages of fixed bridgework include –

For many years, dentists have utilized dental implants of various shapes and substances. International research has shown that root-form titanium implants can predictably attach to the jaw bone via a process known as “osseointegration”. Variations on the types of implant materials, textures, forms, internal components (hex design) and surface coatings have been introduced and continually improved to allow implants to predictably attach to the jaw bone, often out-performing their natural counterparts. These scientifically-driven dental technologies have created tremendous opportunities and hope for those patients who are frustrated with their removable or conventional bridge prosthetics. Success rates for dental implants, based on studies of over 20 years duration, have shown that 90% success and higher can be achieved where the patient has adequate bone into which the implants can be placed, and with good oral hygiene and regular check-ups.

For single or multi-tooth implant replacement, the advantages are many. Esthetically, they most closely resemble one’s natural dentition. For the most part they are maintained as single units (like one’s natural teeth), allowing for the patient to floss and exercise good oral hygiene, in much the same way that they have been accustomed to. There is no reduction of adjacent natural teeth. The level of the jaw bone is preserved by the implant root form. Ideally, if an extraction becomes absolutely necessary, it is often best that the implant be placed immediately upon extraction, to minimize any further bone loss, and limit any drifting of movement of the neighboring teeth.

Implants and Implant Dentistry is not a “quick fix” approach. It is, however, a well thought out science, often requiring an extensive work-up phase prior to the surgical and restorative phases. There are required healing periods, preparatory periods (if indicated – bone grafts, sinus lifts, etc.) to help ensure the success of the implant and its subsequent restoration / prosthesis. The costs associated with Implant Dentistry may appear significant initially, but when contrasted with the other replacement options, additional treatments and re-treatments, the irreversible destruction of otherwise healthy teeth -- when placed in perspective, the benefits achieved from being able to eat naturally, smile beautifully, live healthily, exponentially outweigh the temporary monetary concerns.

From a physiological, psychological and functional perspective, Implant Dentistry is the most ideal of all situations in Restorative Dentistry today. It is the State of the Art Standard of Care in Dentistry today. To see if you are a candidate for Implant Dentistry, please call to schedule an appointment for an examination and panoramic x-ray.

Benefits of Implants: