Dental Implants

Implant Dentistry

An implant is a synthetic tooth root in the shape of a post that is surgically placed into the jawbone. The “root” is usually made of titanium: the same material used in many replacement hips and knees, and a metal that is well-suited to pairing with human bone. A replacement tooth is then fixed to the post. The tooth can be either permanently attached or removable. Permanent teeth are more stable and feel more like natural teeth.

The ideal candidate for implants is a non-smoker who has good oral health, including a sufficient amount of bone in the jaw, and healthy gums with no sign of gum disease.

Implant Services

Our implant services include:

• Sinus Lift Augmentation
• SAutogenous Bone Grafting
• Implant Site Development
• Computer-Enhanced Treatment Planning
• Implant Maintenance

Post-Treatment Care

Consider your replacement teeth to be the same as natural teeth. They require the same daily brushing and flossing, and the same amount of regular checkups. Just like your natural teeth, the better you take care of your replacements, the longer they will last.

Inlays and Onlays

A porcelain filling may also be referred to as an inlay or an onlay. The only difference between the two lies in how much of a tooth is being repaired. With specific reference to rear teeth, an inlay is used to describe a filling that stays within the upper rim of the tooth. An onlay describes a filling that extends over this upper rim. In short, an onlay is used to treat more extensive decay. If the decay is too severe, a dental crown may be a more appropriate option.

Full Mouth Reconstruction

Individuals with severe tooth decay, excessively worn teeth, or missing teeth are most likely candidates for a full mouth reconstruction. This is a medically necessary process to restore good general oral health, including your ability to eat properly. Dental problems work in a domino effect. If you have severely damaged or missing teeth, this will eventually lead to more serious dental issues. A full mouth reconstruction can stop this domino effect before more serious damage and decay sets in.

Many of the same procedures are used for mouth reconstructions that are done during smile makeovers. However, a typical mouth reconstruction tends to require much more extensive dental work, often requiring dental implants and in severe cases, maxillofacial surgery.

Am I a Candidate for Full Mouth Reconstruction?

Typical mouth reconstruction candidates include:

• Accident and trauma victims – Individuals who have suffered significant dental trauma as a result of an automobile, sporting, or any other accident are prime candidates for reconstruction. Time is of the essence when it comes to repairing or replacing teeth. Your chances of having a successful reconstruction are far higher the sooner you seek dental treatment after an accident.
• People with severe decay or worn teeth – Decay is usually the result of poor oral hygiene habits, though it may have other underlying causes. Excessive tooth wear is typically caused by tooth grinding or high acidity in the mouth. Bulimics and those prone to dry mouth are most likely to suffer from chemically eroded teeth, while chronic tooth grinding (bruxism) is the typical cause of mechanical erosion.
• TMD sufferers – Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) often has tooth grinding as one of its symptoms. This will lead to severe tooth wear, and even cracked or broken teeth. Severe TMD can cause a wide variety of other tooth damage that may require maxillofacial surgery in serious cases.

Treatments will vary from individual to individual. Due to the extent of work that usually needs to be performed, expect your mouth reconstruction to take several months.