What are the consequences of tooth loss?

Teeth are lost for many reasons, such as cavities, gum disease, cracked roots, and accidents. When a tooth is lost, the bone that surrounds the tooth root deteriorates, or melts away. (It’s similar to losing muscle when you don’t work out.) That’s why missing teeth can compromise your eating habits, speech and appearance.

Tooth loss in the front of your mouth can result in a hard to hide defect in the bone that affects the look of your smile along with your self-confidence. Missing teeth in the back of your mouth can lead to the collapse of your bite. This affects the appearance of your face, your ability to eat and the health of your remaining teeth. Complete tooth loss may result in collapse of the bone structure supporting the lower third of your face as the jaws deteriorate over time.

What are the disadvantages of traditional treatment options?

Ideally, tooth replacement should preserve the shape of your face and be as close as possible to your natural teeth in both function and appearance. Unfortunately, traditional methods of tooth replacement, such as bridges, partials and dentures, do not preserve bone or the shape of your face.

Traditional methods involve other disadvantages as well. For example, in order to replace one missing tooth with a fixed bridge, the adjacent teeth usually must be cut down to secure the bridge in place. A bridge with three crowns is therefore required: one crown to replace the missing tooth and two crowns to cover the cut-down teeth that must act as anchors. In addition to the damage to the adjacent teeth, the bone deteriorates since the missing tooth root is not replaced.

Removable partials and dentures may accelerate bone deterioration. As the bone disappears, the partial or denture no longer fits, which can impair quality of life. In extreme cases, people who wear ill-fitting dentures may avoid social contact, have unhealthy diets and suffer from denture sores.

Why Dental Implants?

Today, dental implant treatment is the preferred method of tooth replacement. Dental implants replace missing tooth roots, helping to preserve the bone in the jaw and original shape of the face. Because they replace the root, implants act as the anchor for the missing tooth, therefore eliminating the need to cut down the adjacent teeth. Dental implants form a stable foundation for replacement teeth that look, fell and function like your natural teeth.

Who is a candidate for dental implants?

Thanks to recent advancement in implant techniques, many people with missing teeth qualify as candidates for implant treatment. Some of the determining factors are:

• A sufficient amount of good quality bone
  
  
• Good oral hygiene
  
  
• Good general health
  

Before an implant is placed, your gums and existing teeth need to be healthy. Conscientious oral hygiene and regular check-ups with your general dentist are important for long term success.

Even if you’ve lost a significant amount of bone in your jaws , you may still qualify as a candidate for dental implants. Simple and predictable techniques are now available to help bone regrow in your jaws before implants are placed.

How does a dental implant work?

The first step in the treatment sequence is careful planning. A CT Scan, Surgiguide, dental x-rays, and models of your mouth maybe taken in order to determine the best plan of treatment for your situation.

The next step is placing the implant in the jaw using a gentle surgical procedure. Many patients even report that having a dental implant placed is less traumatic than having a natural tooth extracted. Healthy bone forms a strong bond to the implant after just 6-12 weeks, providing a solid foundation for attaching a replacement tooth (called a crown). Because dental implants usually are not covered by the gum during this step, the gum tissue and bone reshape and heal around the implant at the same time.

After the bone has bonded with the implant, the next step is to create the crown. This is done at your general dentist office.

What is the cost of implant treatment?

Since each patient is unique and has different needs and priorities, dental implant treatments and the corresponding costs differ as well. Each patient will receive a fee estimation as well as an explanation of the dental implant treatment that is right for you. Some of the factors that influence the cost are:

• The number of implants needed
  
  
• The type of replacement teeth desired
  
  
• Additional procedures that may be necessary to enhance the look and feel of your smile
  

It is important to consider long term versus short term cost when making a decision about tooth replacement. Dental implant treatment may be a larger initial investment, but it is frequently a more cost effective solution in the long term.

What is the long term success of dental implants?

Replacement teeth supported by dental implants have over 90% success rates in long term function.

What are the benefits of dental implants over other treatment options?

• Helps to maintain the shape of the face
  
  
• Helps to preserve the bone in the jaws
  
  
• Removes the need to cut down healthy teeth for a bridge
  
  
• Can eliminate the pain of ill-fitting partials and dentures
  
  
• Makes replacement teeth stable for eating and smiling with confidence
  
  
• Is the closest possible replacement to natural teeth
  

What are the benefits of implant supported crowns?

• Helps to preserve bone by replacing the tooth root
  
  
• Offers superior esthetics
  
  
• Looks, feels and functions like a natural tooth
  
  
• Does not damage adjacent teeth by cutting them down to secure a tooth supported bridge
  
  
• Strength to handle the chewing forces required by back teeth
  

What are the benefits of implant supported bridges?

• Helps to preserve bone by replacing tooth roots
  
  
• Looks, feels and functions like natural teeth
  
  
• Does not damage adjacent teeth by using them as anchors for removable partial dentures
  
  
• Offers stability and comfort
  
  
• Improves ability to chew
  

What are the benefits of an implant supported overdentures?

• Helps to maintain the shape of the face
  
  
• Helps to preserve the bone in the jaws
  
  
• Can eliminate the pain of ill-fitting dentures and the need for adhesives
  
  
• Offers stability and comfort
  
  
• Improves ability to chew