| | | | | secured with titanium screws. The bone material can |
| When an adult experiences the loss of a tooth, | | | | be part of the patient’s own body, such as the |
| whether from injury, tooth decay or gum disease, | | | | chin, lower jaw or hipbone. Or the bone material can |
| the resulting empty space can be more than just | | | | come from an external source, such as cow bone, |
| embarrassing. The tooth loss can make it difficult for | | | | cadavers or synthetic materials. The new bone |
| the person to talk or eat and can even lead to a | | | | material is packed with bone marrow and other |
| collapsed jawbone. While dentures and bridges can be | | | | materials, covered with a barrier membrane to |
| implemented to correct these empty spaces, they | | | | promote healing and stitched closed. |
| have disadvantages, such as damaging existing | | | | |
| healthy teeth, leading to bone loss or resulting in | | | | How long does the dental implant process take? |
| denture slippage. | | | | Regardless of how healthy your jawbone is, dental |
| More and more patients are turning to surgical dental | | | | implant surgery requires the patient to devote 7-12 |
| implants as an alternative, permanent way to correct | | | | months of time to complete the process. The surgical |
| a missing tooth or even several teeth. Rather than | | | | process of placing the titanium metal implant into the |
| relying on existing healthy teeth to anchor bridges, | | | | jawbone can be done in a cosmetic dentist’s |
| dental implants incorporate a titanium metal implant | | | | office. Once the implant is in place, the jawbone |
| that is placed directly into the jawbone. This implant | | | | needs time to fuse with the implant in order to |
| operates like a tooth root and extends just above | | | | create a strong root for the crown. Every |
| the gumline where an extension (or abutment) is | | | | patient’s healing time is different, but generally it |
| attached. This extension makes it possible to | | | | will take approximately six months for the root to be |
| permanently attach an artificial tooth or crown that is | | | | ready for the extension. |
| designed to match your smile. Over time the implant | | | | During this waiting period, the cosmetic dentist may |
| becomes part of the jawbone making dental implants | | | | provide the patient with a temporary denture to use |
| almost as good as having your own teeth. | | | | until the permanent tooth is attached. |
| What considerations go into dental implants? | | | | Some cosmetic dentists will place the dental implant |
| A qualified cosmetic dentist can evaluate your smile | | | | extension (the unit to which the crown is attached) |
| to determine whether or not you are a candidate for | | | | at the same time as the implant. However, it is not |
| dental implants. Comprehensive x-rays and exams will | | | | uncommon for the extension placement to be a |
| identify if you have: | | | | second surgery. The healing time of this minor |
| · Generally healthy gums and tissues | | | | surgery is generally two weeks. |
| · Sufficient, mature jawbone in which to position the | | | | When your gums and jawbone are properly healed |
| implants* | | | | and ready for the new tooth, more impressions will |
| · Satisfactory overall health to ensure proper healing | | | | be made of the existing smile so the new tooth can |
| *Patients who do not have sufficient jawbone can | | | | be made. Once the new tooth (crown) is made, it is |
| still be candidates for dental implants. Bone grafting | | | | permanently attached to the extension. |
| allows these patients to undergo a preliminary | | | | If a bone graft is required, this process may take an |
| surgery to create a thicker or stronger base to | | | | additional 6-12 months for the new bone to be |
| which the implant can be attached. In bone grafting, | | | | strong enough for the implant to be placed. |
| new bone material is placed into the gum and | | | | |