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More than 30 million Americans are missing all of their teeth in one or both jaws. By the age of 74, 26% of adults have lost all of their permanent teeth. 69% of adults ages 35 to 44 have lost at least one permanent tooth as a result of an accident, gum disease, a failed root canal or tooth decay.
Although you have a number of restorative options for the treatment of missing teeth, none have proven to be as functionally effective and durable as dental implants. In many cases, dental implants may be the only logical choice for the restoration of all necessary teeth and supporting structures.
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are precision devices that are used to replace the root of a missing tooth. These titanium screws or cylinders are anchored into the jawbone where it can support a single tooth crown, a multi-tooth bridge, or stabilize a removable partial or full denture.
What Causes Tooth Loss?
Teeth are lost because of:
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Tooth decay |
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Root canal failure |
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Gum Disease |
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Trauma to the mouth |
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Excessive wear and tear |
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Inherited defects |
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What Happens if I Don’t Pursue Treatment?
You will feel self-conscious when you smile or talk. Tooth loss will have a negative effect on your eating habits, which could lead to health problems like malnutrition.
You will also experience bone loss if you have missing teeth. The bone may erode and weaken since there is no tooth supporting it possibly leaving insufficient bone to place an implant later on.
Your teeth will naturally try to close the gap of your missing tooth which will cause spacing between your teeth and increase oral hygiene difficulty (See Figure 1).
Why Should I get Dental Implants?
In most cases, dental implants are stronger and more durable than bridges and dentures. Single implants can serve to support your crown replacing a single missing tooth. Implants can also support a dental bridge for replacement of multiple missing teeth. Patients with full dentures often struggle with instability and discomfort which limits their function. Implants placed to help stabilize a denture can decrease pain and allow you to chew without difficulty.
How Do I get Dental Implants?
The importance of this procedure is to create a functional and structural connection between your bone and the dental implant. This process is done through what is called Osseointegration, which anchors the root of the dental implant to your jaw bone (See Figures 2-a, 2-b, 2-c, and 2-d). |
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Step 1:
Dr. Nessif and Dr. Coletti will do a thorough oral examination and address the situation that your general dentist has referred you for. This may include but may not be limited to:
* Review your dental and medical history
* Dental exam
* Bite evaluation
* Height and width of your jawbones are measured
* Anatomic structures are identified (nerve positions and sinus proximity)
* Dental x-rays
* 3 dimensional bone scans
Step 2:
Dr. Nessif and Dr. Coletti may have to prepare the area where your tooth is missing prior to placing the implant. This could include removal of excess gum tissue or bone, reshaping or rebuilding the bone.
Step 3:
Dr. Nessif and Dr. Coletti will place the implant (a small titanium post) in your jaw and allow it to anchor and heal to the jaw bone. This process usually takes about 3 – 6 months (See Figure 2-b). A temporary tooth can be placed in your mouth while your implant heals.
Step 4:
Once the implant has anchored to your jaw bone, the permanent false tooth can be placed over the implant by your dentist (See Figures 2-c & 2-d). In denture cases, your general dentist will attach the denture to the implants.
Are Dental Implants Successful?
Dental implants have been utilized for over 30 years. Studies have consistently shown success rates above 95%.
How do I Care for My Dental Implants?
Because dental implants bond to your bone, crowns attached to your dental implants look and act similar to natural teeth. When brushing and flossing your dental implants you must use the proper techniques that you use on your natural teeth.
In some cases, the doctors may prescribe a special daily mouth rinse for you. If you do not keep your mouth in good shape, your implants can fail. |
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What are Wisdom Teeth?
The last molars to erupt in the back of your mouth are commonly known as Wisdom Teeth (Maxillary and Mandibular Third Molars). Normally a person will develop four wisdom teeth, but some people may have more or less.
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A tooth becomes impacted because there is a lack of space in the dental arch, causing the tooth to grow on an angle towards the other molars and their roots.
This impaction can cause pain, lead to infection, or cause other pathologic conditions (See Figure 1).
The wisdom tooth may also crowd or damage the adjacent molar and its roots (See Figure 2), or damage the jaw bone and its nerves.
When the wisdom tooth is growing toward adjacent teeth, it can trap plaque and debris making your teeth more vulnerable to decay.
Wisdom teeth will likely cause problems as the patient ages. Approximately 85% of wisdom teeth will need to be removed. Early removal of wisdom teeth is recommended before the wisdom teeth begin to cause problems in your mouth and to avoid more complicated procedures in the future.
What Does Removing My Wisdom Teeth Require? |
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The ease of the wisdom teeth removal depends on the position of the tooth and root development. A wisdom tooth that has fully cut through the gum can be extracted much like any other tooth.
A wisdom tooth that is underneath the gums and pushed into the jawbone will require an incision into the gums and removal of the portion of bone that lies over the tooth. In this case, the tooth will be extracted in smaller portions to minimize the amount of bone that is removed.
Wisdom teeth can be removed using local anesthesia or some form of sedation. The anesthesia options will be discussed with you to determine what type of anesthesia is best for your needs.
What Does Recovery Involve?
After your wisdom teeth are removed you may experience some swelling and mild discomfort, which are normal symptoms and are part of the healing process.
Why are Teeth Removed?
Severe decay, infection or insufficient room are all reasons that your dentist may recommend removing or extracting teeth.
Impacted teeth that are partially erupted can cause a particular concern because bacteria can easily enter around the partially erupted tooth causing a possible extremely serious infection.
How are Teeth Removed?
During your initial visit, we will review your medical and dental history and take X-rays that will reveal the position of the tooth, its length and shape.
The area around where the extraction will take place will be anesthetized with a local anesthetic prior to removal.
What can I Expect After an Extraction?
In order to prevent infection following your extraction, it is very important to keep the area clean. For the first 24 hours following the surgery, you should avoid cleaning the teeth adjacent to the extraction site, refrain from smoking or rinsing your mouth vigorously.
You may experience a certain degree of pain or discomfort following an extraction. In certain cases, a pain killer may be recommended or prescribed.
You can also apply an ice pack to your face for 15 minutes at a time. You should avoid drinking hot liquids and not drink through a straw, and limit strenuous activity. The day after your extraction, you may be asked to gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water. If you experience severe or prolonged pain, bleeding, fever, or swelling, call us right away. |
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