Dental implants are small titanium posts that replace the roots of missing teeth. They are inserted into your jawbone during a minor surgical procedure that takes place in the dental office. After the implant has been placed in your jawbone, a completely lifelike porcelain tooth crown is attached. In some cases, the implant needs to fuse with the bone for several months before it is permanently crowned; in other cases, you can have new (but temporary) teeth the same day your implants are placed.
Cone Beam 3D Imaging
Dr. Khan has invested in 3D technology for you, as we can now gain more detailed views of the mouth and related structures. This entails taking many different radiographic images to generate cross-sections (slices) and 3-D views of focal structures. Cone Beam 3-D Imaging holds a distinct advantage, especially with surgical and implant procedures, in that all bone structure and density, tissues and nerves can be definitively and clearly viewed. Capturing these images takes far less than 1 minute, as this technology is geared toward dental implant and other oral surgical treatment. Cone Beam 3-D Imaging reduces the time and increases the safety pertaining to these procedures. Ultimately, this technology enhances the end result of dental surgical procedures and is becoming the standard of care for dental implant procedures.
How many teeth can be replaced with dental implants?
You can replace a single tooth, multiple teeth or all your teeth with implants. You don't even need one implant for every missing tooth. As few as two Implants can support a removable lower denture, while as few as four implants can provide a full, permanent set of the top or bottom teeth.
Is dental implant surgery painful?
Most people find dental implant surgery very easy to tolerate. Any post-operative discomfort can usually be managed with over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen or OTC pain-relievers. Ice can also be helpful.
Are dental implants expensive?
At the outset, implants are more expensive than other tooth-replacement methods such as dentures or bridgework. But they also last many years longer and in fact should never need replacement. So they offer the best, most cost-effective option when viewed as a long-term investment in your health, comfort and well-being.
How do you care for dental implants?
They require exactly the same care as natural teeth: daily brushing and flossing, along with regular dental checkups and professional cleanings. Although implant teeth will never decay, the gum tissues around them can become inflamed or infected in the absence of good oral hygiene. Properly cared-for dental implants should last a lifetime.
Can my body reject a dental implant?
Strictly speaking, implants can't be rejected because they contain no living cells or genetically coded material. The titanium of which they are made is completely biocompatible, and allergies are extremely rare. But an implant can fail to integrate with the jawbone if an infection develops in the absence of good oral hygiene, or if it is subjected to biting forces too soon. However, this is rare; implants regularly achieve success rates in excess of 95%.
Am I a candidate for dental implants?
There's a good chance that you are, but this can only be determined after a complete oral examination that includes x-rays of your jaws. Please schedule a consultation to begin the exciting process of restoring your smile and bite.