• History of Implants

• FAQ's about Implants

• Implant Restorations

• Implant Surgery

• Surgical Stent

• Bone grafting

SINGLE MISSING TOOTH:

Step 1
The first step always begins with treatment planning which involves a comprehensive examination, appropriate x-rays, and making molds of your teeth.

Step 2
The next step is the placement of the titanium implant. The implant will be resting as bone heals around the implant for at least 6 weeks. Temporary crowns or removable prosthesis are optional during this bone healing period.

Step 3
The third step of the procedure involves attaching an abutment, making the final impression, and fabricating a temporary restoration. This completes the foundation on which your new tooth will be placed. In some instances, your doctor may decide to deliver the post at the time of the initial placement of the implant.

Step 4
The final step is the placement of your new tooth. With techniques that ensure optimal size, shape, color and fit, this replacement tooth should blend with your remaining natural teeth.

Anterior Tooth Replacement (Front teeth)

BEFORE		AFTER
	PROBLEM: This young woman has been missing two lateral incisors since birth. Her adjacent teeth have no restorations. She would like long-lasting, permanent restorations.		SOLUTION: Two single tooth implants were placed. Her adjacent teeth are untouched. The implants look and feel natural. The implants also stimulate the bone and prevents resorption.
STAGES
PROCESS: Careful planning allows two single implants to be placed into the bone where teeth are missing. Titanium abutments or posts are torqued into the implant. Porcelain-fused-to-gold crowns are custom fabricated for the patient. Note: these crowns have screw-access holes on the inside of the crown which allow for easy retrieval of the crowns if necessary. (Note: photos courtesy of Dr. JPBernard, MPMartinet, UCBelser)
TREATMENT OPTIONS: With one missing tooth in the front, we have three options. Single-tooth implants which you see above. The adjacent teeth are untouched and space is maintained in all aspects. The implant stimulates the bone and prevents bone resorption. A 3-unit-bridge uses the adjacent teeth as support for a replacement tooth. These adjacent teeth would have to be shaved down enough to receive crowns. This is a fixed solution. A removable partial denture. This is a removable solution. It will require some minor preparation of several teeth around the arch to receive the partial denture. It will not be as comfortable as the other two options.

Posterior Tooth Replacement (Back Teeth)

BEFORE		AFTER
	PROBLEM: Patient is missing single posterior molar. Adjacent teeth have no restorations. If not replaced, teeth above and next to space will shift.		SOLUTION: Single tooth implant replaces missing molar. Adjacent teeth are untouched. The implant feels natural-- like his own tooth. The implant also stimulates the bone and prevents resorption.
STAGES
	PROCESS: Careful planning allows a single implant to be placed into the bone where tooth is missing. A titanium abutment or post is torqued into the implant. A porcelain-fused-to-gold crown is custom fabricated for the patient.
TREATMENT OPTIONS: With one missing tooth in the whole arch, we have three options. Single-tooth implant which you see above. The adjacent teeth are untouched and space is maintained in all aspects. The implant stimulates the bone and prevents bone resorption. A 3-unit-bridge uses the adjacent teeth as support for a replacement tooth. These adjacent teeth would have to be shaved down enough to receive crowns. This is a fixed solution. A removable partial denture. This is a removable solution. It will require some minor preparation of several teeth around the arch to receive the partial denture. It will not be as comfortable as the other two option

FULL ARCH REPLACEMENT:

To replace a full arch of teeth, we have so many options available. Whether you want to add a few implants to stabilize your denture or to avoid dentures altogether, implant therapy can improve your satisfaction and quality of life. Treatment planning is crucial and will involve a comprehensive examination, appropriate x-rays, and making molds of your teeth. Depending on the condition of your dentition, treatment provisionals or dentures may need to be fabricated to idealize your bite and the positions of your teeth. We want to make sure that the implants are ideally placed so you get the result you're looking for.

The three guiding questions/factors that will guide your treatment options are:

• Do you want something fixed or removable?
• How much bone do you have-- and if you don't have enough, are you willing/able to undergo procedures to help you add bone when necessary?
• Do you want to devote the time and resources necessary to give yourself a second chance at natural teeth?

Full Upper Replacement

Fixed Implant Reconstruction:

Implant Denture:

		This patient's old denture lacked beauty, retention, and support. A new implant-supported denture provided those features.

Full Lower Replacement

Fixed Implant Reconstruction:

Implant Denture:

This patient's old denture lacked beauty, retention, and support. A new implant-supported denture provided those features.

BEFORE
PROBLEM: This woman was dissatisfied with her uneven smile-line and wanted a "toothier" smile. She has an upper complete denture and lower partial denture. She wished that her lower partial denture was more secure. Examination of her lower teeth revealed they had severe bone loss. They were removed and two dental implants were placed.
AFTER
SOLUTION:A new complete over-denture was made to snap onto the dental implants and you can see the satisfaction in her face!

PARTIAL ARCH REPLACEMENT:

BEFORE
		PROBLEM: No two people have the same dentition. This gentleman had no teeth in his upper arch. Most of his lower teeth were severely decayed. Luckily, he had good amounts of bone in his lower arch to place dental implants.
AFTER
TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR THE LOWER ARCH: This patient had a few options. With only four good teeth remaining on one side, he could have had a removable partial denture that would be unstable. The partial denture would add stress to these four teeth which would further limit their life span. He could also choose to extract the four teeth and have a complete denture made. One thing to note is that this person has extra bone on the inside of his lower arch-- called Tori. This extra bone has to be removed surgically before any removable prosthesis, whether a complete denture or a partial denture, is made. By choosing implants, the patient was able to maintain four of his natural teeth and have a FIXED restoration that feels as secure and comfortable as his own. SOLUTION: A new upper denture was made to idealize the smile, phonetics and occlusion for this patient. In his lower jaw, four teeth were restored with traditional individual crowns. Four implants were placed to provide support for a fixed bridge that the patient feels is as natural as his own teeth. The patient is so pleased with the security and comfort that implants provide that he is now undergoing implant therapy under his upper denture with the intent of making a fixed bridge up above!

CONVENTIONAL VS. IMPLANT THERAPY

For many patients, dentures, partials, and bridges simply aren't enough. Loose dentures and metal clasps can cause embarrassment, pain, and difficulties with eating and speech. Crowns and bridges can have limited life expectancies if their supporting teeth aren't strong.

Many patients choose dental implants to replace missing or hopelessly damaged teeth, because:

1) We're living longer. This has created a need for longer-lasting dental replacements.
2) Removable dentures and partials are inconvenient, less sturdy, and not permanent.
3) Bridges must have strong supporting natural teeth and require grinding of those teeth.
4) Dental implants are more stable, more convenient, more practical and more natural.

Success rates average about 95%, but vary, depending on placement and function. Implants placed in the front of the mouth are more successful than back of the mouth due to the quality of bone encoutered in the front as well as to the higher chewing forces generated in the back of the mouth. Similarly, lower jaw implants are sometimes more successful than upper jaw implants, because the bone in the lower jaw is denser and offers better support. The success rates can also be altered by the type of restoration used and the number of implants placed. If multiple implants are joined together, then they are all made stronger.

To best reap the rewards of this leading-edge technology, you must choose your specialist carefully. And you must work closely with him or her to ensure that dental implants are truly the best solution for your unique smile.

Find out if implants are right for you-- Call to schedule your consultation today!