|
Some of our patients walk through the door, believing that the only option for replacing missing teeth is getting bridges or dentures. Fortunately, you can fix gaps in your smile with dental implants. A dental implant is a titanium screw that is used as a substitute for tooth roots to anchor a dental appliance in your mouth. With implants, you can talk, eat, and laugh as you did with your natural teeth. Dr. Erfani can provide complete dental implant services, including the following treatments:
- Cat Scans, Computerized Presurgical Analysis and Treatment Planning
- Dental Implants
- Simple Tooth Replacements
- Multiple Tooth Replacements
If you've ever felt frustrated about the function of your
bridge work or dentures ... or your overall health and your
dental problems have kept you out of the picture for too long,
it is time you consider the benefits of implant dentistry.
When it comes to quality of life, statistics for people who
wear dentures leave a lot to be desired. You may be surprised
to learn that 29% of denture wearers eat only soft or mashed
foods and 50% avoid many foods all together.
The natural look, feel and function of implanted teeth has
given thousands of former denture wears and sufferers of serious
tooth loss, a new lease on life.
What Are Dental Implants?
 |
Dental Implants are man-made replacements for natural
teeth. The Implants themselves are artificial tooth roots
anchored in the gum or jawbone on which replacement teeth
are permanently secured. Since implanted teeth are fixed
in the mouth rather than removable like dentures, they allow
the wearer to return to the comfort and function associated
with natural teeth. |
 Implants
provide a solid foundation of support in the mouth for permanent,
non-removable teeth. Increased chewing ability means you
can enjoy more nutritious foods, contributing to your overall
health and well-being. In short, dental implants improve
the quality of your life. They can improve your appearance,
boost self-confidence, and allow you to speak with greater
clarity
The Advantages of Dental Implants
Dental implants are changing the way people live! They
are designed to provide a foundation for replacement teeth
which look, feel, and function like natural teeth. Dental
implants can improve your appearance, comfort and self-confidence.
The person who has lost teeth regains the ability to eat
virtually anything,. By improving your chewing ability you
can enjoy more nutritious foods, contributing to better overall
health and well being. Implants can also help prevent the
undesirable deterioration of the jawbone and facial changes
that follow the loss of teeth. In short, dental implants
improve the quality of your life.
Fortunately a persons age does not influence the success
of dental implants. Whether you are a teenager or in your
eighties, chances are good that you are a candidate for treatment.
In fact, some of our most satisfied patients have been elderly
patients that almost gave up and felt they had to live with
ill-fitting dentures. If you are healthy enough to have teeth
removed in a dental office you're probably healthy enough
to have implants placed.
Dental implants offer a predictable alternative to a variety
of dental problems including:
- Poor denture stability
- Inability to speak properly with dentures
- Inability to chew with removable teeth
- Denture sore mouth or irritated gums
- Gagging caused by dentures
- Ill-fitting removable teeth and need for
relines
- Loose teeth from gum disease
- Missing single teeth
- Oral defects from accidents or trauma
The Surgical Procedure
Before your implant surgery a thorough examination is
performed to formulate a treatment plan. This will include
radiographs and occasional a CT scan. Our office is equipped
with computer software to analyze your CT scan and determine
the optimum surgical plan. The placement of dental implants
is usually performed in the office. We offer many forms of
anesthesia for your comfort including intravenous sedation.
The implants are surgically placed into the jawbone. Most
patients report that the discomfort after surgery is minimal
and less than they expected. Medications are prescribed to
control soreness and most patients wear temporary teeth during
the healing period and eat a soft diet. Depending on the
quality of the jawbone the implant healing period may be
three to six months. In some cases the implants may be immediately
fitted with artificial teeth after the surgery.
Implant Replacement Teeth
After the implant has bonded to the jawbone the process
of fabricating the replacement teeth or prosthesis may begin.
If the implants are healing under the gum tissue a minor
surgical procedure is needed to expose the implants into
the mouth. Small posts are placed onto the implants which
will fasten to the replacement teeth.
There are several different types of implant replacement
teeth or prostheses. The implant teeth may be fixed into
place much like your own teeth. Replacing teeth in this
manner is called a crown for a single tooth replacement
of a bridge if several teeth are replaced. The implant
teeth may also be made so they are removable. The removable
prostheses is fastened to the implants with attachments
so you can take the prosthesis ot ot your mouth if necessary.
This is called an implant overdenture. Dr. Erfani
will discuss your alternatives before treatment begins
to determine the best option in your case. It may take
only a few or several appointments to fabricate the final
implant prostheses. The length of treatment is determined
by your needs and the complexity of your case.
Implant dentistry is a highly technical form of treatment. Our
office provides comprehensive specialty care including
bone grafting, implant surgery and implant reconstruction.
Many patients are referred to our office by their dentist
because of Dr. Erfani's reputation and standing in the
field and his unique specialty practice providing both
surgical and prosthetic care.
Ridge-augmentation
When the ridge of the jawbone has been resorbed a bone
graft may be needed to increase the jaw height and/or width.
In many cases artificial bone substitutes or bank bone is
not adequate to grow the needed amount of bone for proper
dental implant placement. The bone graft is often taken from
an accessible area of the patient and transplanted to the
jawbone. In the mouth bone may be taken from the chin or
back of the lower jaw in the region of the third molar.
The bone graft heals and fuses to the jawbone allowing
the proper placement of dental implants. Patients are able
to wear temporary teeth during the healing period.
Facial Trauma Often when teeth are lost from trauma such as car accidents
or falls there is additional loss of supporting bone and
gum tissue. Bone grafts are often required to reconstruct
the jawbones and restore facial contour. Dental implants
may then be used to replace the missing teeth. |
