Dental Implants

Crowns and conventional bridges or dentures may not be your only options when replacing missing teeth. For some people, dental implants offer a smile that looks and feels very natural. Surgically placed below the gums over a series of appointments, implants fuse to the jawbone and serve as a base for individual replacement teeth, bridges or a denture.

Dental implants offer stability because they fuse to your bone. Integration of the implants into your jaw also helps your replacement teeth feel more natural and some people also find the secure fit more comfortable than conventional substitutes.

Candidates for dental implants need to have health gums and adequate bone to support the implant. A thorough evaluation by your dentist will help determine whether you are a good candidate for dental implants.

Despite improvements in dental care, millions of Americans suffer tooth loss - mostly due to tooth decay, gingivitis (gum disease), or injury. For many years, the only treatment options available for people with missing teeth were bridges and dentures. But, today, dental implants are available.

What Are Dental Implants?

A dental implant in the simplest of terms is a replacement for the root of your tooth. Why are Implants so Popular and the First choice for and by patients?

Firstly, there is never anything like the original and an implant tooth comes as close as possible to the real thing. By placing an implant in your mouth your bone thinks the tooth is still there and will continue to grow and maintain a strong and healthy foundation. Without this implant the bone will tend to degenerate and in many cases lead to gum recession. This can lead to a variety of complications or a requirement for more extensive care for many patients instead of simple maintenance visits with your dentist and hygienist.

But I have been told I have no bone and nothing can be done to help me. We have heard this many times and have happily and successfully helped many Patients who thought there was no hope. Unfortunately in some cases this may be true but it is rare.

With the advanced technology we offer our patients, especially our Newtom 3-G / 3-dimensional imaging (read more under technology section) we are able to more exactly diagnose and measure bone density and bone requirements to make the proper decision for treatment.

What types of Treatment are available with implants?
I. Single Tooth Replacement
II. Multiple Tooth (Bridge)
III. Full Mouth Reconstruction
IV. Dentures (New implant dentures or Converting your Old dentures to implant Dentures)

How Successful Are Dental Implants?

Success rates vary, depending on where in the jaw the implants are placed but, in general, dental implants have a success rate of up to 97%. With proper care, implants can last a lifetime.

Can Anyone Get Dental Implants?

There are no relative health contraindications to dental implants. Patients should have healthy gums and enough bone to hold the implant. They also must be committed to good oral hygiene and regular dental visits. In most cases, anyone healthy enough to undergo a routine dental extraction or oral surgery can be considered for an implant procedure. Heavy smokers, people suffering from uncontrolled chronic disorders - such as diabetes or heart disease - or patients who have had radiation therapy to the head/neck area need to be evaluated on an individual basis. If you are considering implants, talk to your dentist to see if they are right for you.

Does Insurance Cover the Cost of Dental Implants?

In general, implants are not covered by dental insurance at this time. Coverage under your medical plan may be possible, depending on the insurance plan and/or cause of tooth loss. Detailed questions about your individual needs and how they relate to insurance should be discussed with your dentist and your insurance provider.

What Is Involved in Getting a Dental Implant?

The first step in the process is the development of an individualized treatment plan. The plan addresses your specific needs and is prepared by a team of professionals who are specially trained and experienced in oral surgery and restorative dentistry. This team approach provides coordinated care based on the implant option that is best for you.

Next, the tooth root implant, which is a small post made of titanium, is placed into the bone socket of the missing tooth. As the jawbone heals, it grows around the implanted metal post, anchoring it securely in the jaw. The healing process can take from 6 to 12 weeks.

Once the implant has bonded to the jawbone, a small connector post - called an abutment - is attached to the post to securely hold the new tooth. To make your new tooth or teeth, your dentist makes impressions of your teeth, and creates a model of your bite (which captures all of your teeth, their type, and arrangement). Your new tooth or teeth are based on this model. A replacement tooth, called a crown, is then attached to the abutment.

Instead of one or more individual crowns, some patients may have attachments placed on the implant that retain and support a removable denture.

Your dentist also will match the color of your new teeth to your natural teeth. Because the implant is secured within the jawbone, the replacement teeth look, feel, and function just like your own natural teeth.

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Dr. Robert Miller, DDS, Dental Reconstruction - Providing services in cosmetic dentistry and dental implants to the area of Boca Raton and Delray Beach, Florida.