Dental Implants: Are They For You?

You may already know that there are several ways to replace a tooth or teeth when they are lost. A fixed cemented bridge is one way where the teeth on either side are crowned and a “replacement porcelain tooth” is connected between them.

Another solution is to fabricate a “removable” partial denture that replaces one or more teeth at the same time and is able to come in and out of your mouth as it is held in with metal clasps.

The third method, which I will describe here, is to do a titanium implant that is held tightly by the bone in the jaw and has a tooth attached to it. There has been a lot of discussion about implants and their high relative cost and “how they actually work”.

Here are some specifics about implants:

• The implant is placed in the bone of either the upper or lower jaw and must be placed exactly in the right place to not damage nerves, to not perforate the bone, to be at the correct angle so the dentist can restore the tooth without weak areas and to allow the gum to heal around it. Usually an oral surgeon or periodontist places it and the cost includes their expertise in placing them.
• The portion that goes into the bone is all titanium. The parts are very expensive and this adds to the fee.
• The implant when placed in the bone is done with very little discomfort and the gum tissue heals in a couple days. The bone “bonds” to the implant and that is what takes the time; about 3 to 4 months.
• The general dentist will do all the remaining work of placing the abutment ( the attachment between the implant and the new crown) and the crown itself. There are many different options to replace the tooth and we will completely discuss this with you.
• The implant when done properly will last many years.
• We can also anchor a denture into place using implants that increase the fit and stability of the denture amazingly well.

We are here to answer any of your questions about implants and help you decide what is best for your particular situation.