Dental Implants

Dental implants are designed to provide a foundation for replacement teeth that look, feel, and function like natural teeth. The person who has lost teeth regains the ability to eat virtually anything and can smile with confidence, knowing   that their teeth appear natural and that facial (jaw) contours will be preserved. The implants themselves are small titanium posts that are placed into the jaw where teeth are missing. The bone bonds with the titanium (a process called osseointegration) creating a strong foundation for artificial teeth. In addition, implants can help preserve facial structure, preventing the bone deterioration that occurs when teeth are lost (see What if I don’t have dental implants?).

The photograph below demonstrates how losing your teeth can drastically affect your facial appearance. Notice the loss of support for the lip and the older appearance of the lady without teeth supported by dental implants.

Dental implants are changing the way people live! With them, people are rediscovering the comfort and confidence to eat, speak, laugh and enjoy life.

Below is a photograph of a patient where a dental implant has been used to replace her front tooth which was fractured in an accident. Can you tell which tooth is the implant and which are the natural teeth?

Looking at the x-ray you can see that the front left tooth is the implant!

Below is a photograph of this patient smiling.

Implants have become the treatment option of choice for replacing missing teeth.

They allow your dentist to replace your lost or missing teeth without using or affecting your existing adjacent teeth (see What if I have a bridge instead of an implant?).  They can also prevent the need for dentures by replacing multiple teeth or can act to anchor your loose denture to restore chewing comfort and confidence.

One of the major advantages of implants is their ability to maintain the quantity and quality of the jawbone.  Following extraction, the tooth no longer stimulates the surrounding tissues which results in deterioration of the jawbone and gum tissue in that site.  This is the same type of situation that occurs with muscles when someone breaks their arm or leg and is forced to wear a cast for several months.  The cast prevents the muscle from moving (or contracting) and thus the muscle deteriorates (or atrophies) as a result.  Like muscles, the jawbone deteriorates if not exercised or stimulated when a tooth is lost.  Implants restore the lost tooth’s influence on the bone and maintain the quantity and quality of the jawbone.  This can prevent unsightly indentations in your smile where a tooth has been lost and prevent jawbone fractures as a person ages. (see What if I don’t have dental implants?)

We work closely with your dentist to predictably and successfully provide you with the highest quality implant retained restoration (cap/crown) possible.

Dental Implant Presentation

To provide you with a better understanding of dental implants, we have provided the following multimedia presentation. Many common questions pertaining to dental implants are discussed.

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Implants can now be used to replace a single missing tooth, multiple missing teeth, all of your teeth, or to anchor a loose denture.  Implants have opened the doors to treatment options that were not available only 5 years ago.  One of the most exciting and life changing options which has become available is for people who lost their teeth at a young age and have been forced to wear dentures for many years.  Dentures loosen with time and become unstable as the bone and gum deteriorates beneath them.  Implants are now being used to securely fasten a loose denture and provide exceptional stability for chewing and talking with confidence.  Additionally, once in place, the implants will maintain the jawbone in that site for a lifetime if they are kept clean and well maintained.

Below are a few examples of how dental implants can be used to replace teeth and/or secure a loose denture.

Dr. Thomas has received extensive training in the surgical placement of dental implants. He has been successfully placing implants since 1982. Through continuing education, Dr. Thomas is abreast of the most current information in implant dentistry. In addition, he is an Adjunct Faculty Member at the Department of Periodontology in the School of Dentistry at UNC Chapel Hill and he lectures locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. His commitment to education focuses on both personal and professional growth, which results in providing patients with the most predictable and current proven strategies in the delivery of implant services.

Evaluation

If you, like many others, feel implant dentistry is the choice for you, we kindly ask that you undergo a dental/radiographic examination and complete a health history. During this consultation visit, Dr. Thomas will address your specific needs and considerations. Your questions and concerns are important to us and our team will work closely with you, and your dentist, to help make your procedure a success.

We will also discuss fees and insurance at this time. There are many types of insurance plans, and coverage for implants is varied. We will be happy to assist you in obtaining any benefits to which you may be entitled.

Procedures

As stated earlier, dental implants are small titanium posts that are placed into the jawbone where teeth are missing or require removal.  Implants will either be placed at the time of tooth removal (see what are the advantages of immediate dental implant placement) or following a short healing period.  In some cases a temporary tooth, or teeth, may also be placed on the implant at the time of placement (see what are the advantages of immediate dental implant placement).

Photgraph After Dental Implant and Crowns by her dentist.

A number of factors are involved in choosing the most appropriate time to place and restore your dental implant.  We encourage you to ask us or your general dentist about these options.  In the end, the most successful and predictable approach will be used to help meet your dental implant needs.

Once placed, the dental implant requires a short healing period (usually 4-8 weeks) to bond securely with the bone (a process called osseointegration).  Once integrated, we will select and deliver the appropriate components required for your dentist to restore the implant with a new crown/cap.  Your dentist will then take a simple impression and have the lab fabricate a crown to be cemented at your next visit.  You can then begin to chew, brush, and floss about this implant just as if it were your natural tooth.

Most importantly, if a situation exits where you must lose a front tooth or you are at all concerned about having a “gap” in your smile, a temporary replacement is ALWAYS available.  Working with your dentist, we have many different methods of temporarily replacing teeth and encourage you to ask us about these options at your initial visit.