1. Replacing a lost tooth is vital to maintaining the overall health and function of the surrounding teeth. The most obvious result is a gap in your smile. Less obvious is the loss of chewing function and the inability to eat a complete diet that can result from tooth loss. While these are certainly serious issues, a potentially bigger problem lies hidden beneath the surface: BONE LOSS. It helps avoid tooth migration and loss of structure.

2. Dental implants are an effective means of counteracting these problems. Dental implants are also very strong and provide a feel as close to a natural tooth as can be currently achieved. Further, implants reduce the impact of the lost tooth on surrounding teeth, as traditional bridge structures often require reduction (filing down) of the two adjacent teeth to hold the bridge in place with crowns. Dental implants, when replacing dentures, provide even more benefits. Dentures are notorious for slipping at the worst possible moments. Poorly fitting dentures can even affect diet, restricting food selections to easily chewed foods. Implants eliminate the possibility of slipping or pinching, and allow food of almost all types to be eaten. In short, dental implants are the closest way to replace a natural tooth to its original condition.

At the first appointment, the dentist will examine your teeth and determine whether implants are the solution to your dental problems. Often, x-rays are necessary to discover the state of the jawbone, particularly if the teeth have been lost for some time. This information can be used to determine if implants would work for you and, if so, what particular type of implant that would be best for your situation.

After a small injection to numb the area the implant is inserted either by a flapless procedure or if the situation warrants stitches may be required. The teeth may be inserted at the same stage or a waiting period of a few weeks is required depending on the situation.

Surgery time will vary greatly depending on the number of dental implants. For each implant average time involved is about 10 minutes.

The implant procedure generally occurs in the office of an oral surgeon.

Local anesthesia avoids the pain that would be involved in the surgical procedures during implantation and uncovering of the implant fixture. Most patients state that implants involve less pain and discomfort than a tooth extraction.

Following surgery, there may be some swelling. Gums may feel a bit sore. You may be given antibiotics to take during the period immediately following the surgery.

For most people, dental implants last between fifteen and twenty-five years. They may last significantly longer, but implantation is a new procedure and data has not been gathered. Between about 5 and about 10% of implants fail, but they often can be replaced with another implant attempt.

With new technologies like the laser-lok less than 3% of implants fail. Overall, the success rate for all implants runs from 95 to 98%. Most failed implants can be replaced after the area heals.

Age is rarely a consideration in dental implant treatment

Dental implants help maintain jaw bones in their pristine health like with natural teeth & provide a more stable and natural feeling than loose dentures. You will be able to eat virtually any food with ease, comfort, and confidence. you will notice an improvement in your appearance, and possibly your speech. Many patients find these improvements enhance their self-image and self-confidence.

Until fairly recently, it was sometimes difficult to treat patients who had lost their teeth many years before because so much bone had been resorbed by the time they sought treatment. Today, however, many materials have become available to to build up or graft the natural ridge, creating sufficient bone for implant treatment. As a result, timing is no longer as critical as it once was. Implants can be placed into sockets where teeth have been extracted or lost in an accident, and we put implants into jaw bones that lost their natural teeth roots decades earlier. If a tooth, or teeth, have been missing for years, quite often a considerable amount of bone has been lost from disease. If the teeth happen to be in the front where aesthetics are extremely important, the ridge is built up with a graft first to restore it to its original shape and size. The implants are placed only after the ridge has healed. This procedure is done to give the most natural look possible.