Dental Implant Placement

The function and livelihood of your natural teeth affect much more than just your oral health – they can have ramifications regarding your diet, your speech, your self-confidence, and your overall quality of life. Losing one or more teeth to gradual wear, significant decay, or traumatic injury can be a devastating experience. Today, dental implants are an innovative solution to this crucial problem, restoring the natural state of your teeth in a revitalizing manner.

This treatment process is a team effort between your restorative dentist and a trusted oral surgeon. The implant surgery (as well as any tooth extraction and bone grafting procedures) will be handled here at Armitage Oral Surgery. Whereas the creation and placement of both temporary and permanent prostheses will be carried out by your dentist. Our team works hard to ensure the highest quality of work and provide the latest technological solutions while keeping patients safe and comfortable.

Your Dental Implant Placement Procedure

Every placement procedure has a number of variables that will differ from patient to patient, including the number of implants being placed and the patient’s personal needs and schedule. You may be receiving a single implant for a single missing tooth, or you could be in need of a number of implants to support a screw-retained denture or a removable “overdenture.” Your surgical team will work closely with you and your dentist to plan your personalized treatment plan. Sedation dentistry and local anesthetic are available to improve your relaxation and help you feel at ease throughout the procedure.

The typical steps of the procedure are as follows:

• Implant(s) are inserted into the jawbone, making a small incision in the gum tissue to do so. The top of this implant may be visible, or we may cover it with gum tissue to aid the recovery process.
• Patients will then undergo a period of healing, the length of which will depend on their personal level of oral health and jawbone quality. We will provide all the post-operative care you need and schedule follow-up appointments to gauge your progress and determine when your implants are ready for restoration. During these appointments, the placement of one or more support posts (known as an “abutment”) may be needed.
• Once the patient’s mouth has properly healed, they will return to their dentist to have the implants restored with lifelike dental crowns, implant-retained dentures, or other custom prosthetics.

Common questions regarding dental implant placement and related procedures include the following:

Why are dental implants the ideal reconstructive solution?

Your natural tooth consists of two equally important parts – the crown and the root. The crown is the white, visible portion that is used to chew your food, and traditional restorative options focus on this section and this section alone. However, the root located beneath the gum line works to stimulate the jawbone, and without it, patients will begin to experience gradual bone deterioration that can have lasting consequences for their oral health and aesthetic appearance. Dental implants seamlessly replicate the entire structure of your natural tooth.

Additionally, dental implants are functional, aesthetically pleasing, and durable. Essentially, they create new teeth that are virtually indistinguishable from the natural model. Although the overall cost may be larger, dental implants are a long-term investment that are convenient, bolsters confidence, and restores quality of life.

Why is it important to have implants placed sooner rather than later?

Jawbone deterioration is a concern that occurs quickly after patients have lost one or more teeth. In fact, 25% of the supporting structure is typically gone after just the first year. Because replacing this lost bone becomes a more complex procedure as time goes on, it is recommended to undergo implant placement as early as possible to simplify your care and ensure healthier, happier results in the long run.

Do I have enough bone to support the placement of new dental implants?

A simple consultation will allow us to determine whether or not bone grafting is necessary to facilitate the successful placement of the implant(s). A few scenarios where a bone graft may be necessary are as follows:

• After the patient has had upper or lower front teeth extracted, the bone is naturally thin and may need additional support for eventual implant placement.
• If a patient had one or more teeth removed several years ago and their bony ridge is now too thin.
• If the sinus cavities in the upper jaw interfere with the areas that need to bear the implants.

How long will my new implants last?

When cared for properly with diligent at-home oral hygiene and professional maintenance with your general dentist, dental implants can last for 20 years, 30 years, or even the rest of the patient’s lifetime.