Does having a missing tooth or teeth bother you? Is your quality of life being affected by tooth loss? Are your dentures hurting or uncomfortable to eat with? Dental implants could be the solution you are looking for. Dental implants are long-term replacements that your dentist or oral surgeon can provide you with, that can replace a tooth or several teeth and can help anchor a removable denture restoring patients to proper function. In fact, John Hopkins stated that placing dental implants under a removable denture was the #4 best thing a person could do for better health! Unfortunately, some patients are hesitant because they fear invasive surgery or complications in the procedure. However, with our advanced techniques and approach, dental implants are performed daily in our office predictably and with little discomfort. With precision, proper planning, and the latest technology, we are giving people their quality of life back so that they can enjoy eating and smiling with confidence again.
What is Cone Beam 3D Technology?
The most important new imaging technology to emerge in the dental industry during the past decade is cone beam 3D computed tomography, or CBCT. Cone Beam 3D technology is putting patients’ fears to rest and allows us to treat many patients who were told in the past that they were not candidates for dental implants. CBCT imaging enables us to use three-dimensional imaging as a critical diagnostic and treatment planning tool.
Statistics show that 69% of adults ages 35 to 44 have lost at least one permanent tooth to an accident, gum disease, a failed root canal or tooth decay. Furthermore, by age 74, 26% of adults have lost all their permanent teeth. Twenty years ago, these patients would have had no alternative but to employ a fixed bridge or removable denture to restore their ability to eat, speak clearly and smile.
What is a Dental Implant?
Today one of the best options for patients that are missing permanent teeth is a dental implant. Dental implants are long-term artificial roots that are surgically placed into the jawbone painlessly with precision and accuracy. These implants can serve as the foundation for a new crown replacing your lost tooth, or as an anchor for a denture. Composed of titanium metal that “fuses” with the jawbone, dental implants never decay like teeth anchoring fixed bridges and will help stabilize any denture.
Fixed bridges and removable dentures are not the perfect solution for patients and often bring with them several other problems. Removable dentures may slip or cause embarrassing clicking sounds while eating or speaking. Recurrent decay, periodontal (gum) disease and other factors often doom fixed bridgework to early failure. For these reasons, fixed bridges and removable dentures usually need to be replaced every seven to 15 years. Therefore, dental implants could be the ideal solution for many patients in restoring them to proper function.
How long do they last…and does it hurt?
After more than 30 years of service, the vast majority of dental implants first placed by dental health professionals in the United States continue to still function at peak performance. Dental Implants have a 97% success rate after 10 years compared to 50% success rate of a fixed bridge. More importantly, the recipients of those early dental implants are still satisfied they made the right choice. If properly cared for, dental implants can last a lifetime.
The procedure has been significantly simplified in recent years due to 3D Cone Beam technology. With advanced training, your dentist can place the necessary number of implants many times without using a scalpel or sutures! The process is efficient, essentially pain-free, and extremely precise. Patients leave the office needing nothing more than over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs in most cases.
Am I a Candidate for Dental Implants?
In our office, we like to have consultations with our patients to really listen to their goals and to determine if they are a good candidate for this procedure. We want to empower our patients and make them part of the process. If patients are fearful, we will discuss our sedation options for comfort and to alleviate any anxiety. We can then use our 3D Cone Beam technology and advanced expertise to help you reach your goals. It is the predictability of this technology that allows some patients the opportunity to have dental implants who have previously been told in the past that they were not good candidates. With this advanced approach and years of surgical experience, we are giving back our patients the proper function and health they deserve.
Dentally Speaking by Jeffrey S Haddad D.D.S. Originally published in Community Lifestyles.
