Reliability Factor of Your Dental Implant

It’s said, “There are no guarantees…” But that’s not entirely true.

The good news? You can up the reliability factor if you’re aware of what failures to avoid.

Dental implants have a reputation of long-term reliability. It’s why they’ve continued to maintain popularity as a tooth replacement option for over 30 years.

In fact, dental implants have a 95% success rate for a period of up to 10 years. No other tooth replacement treatment compares over the long haul.

The secret to your success

Understanding the technology helps you understand its success.

The implant itself forms the new (replacement) tooth root. It’s typically crafted from titanium.

The screw-like design and shape forms a solid foundation for your new tooth. When placed in the jawbone beneath your gums the tissue integrates with it over time.

Once healing has occurred your crown will placed on top of the abutment. Your crown provides you a new, cosmetic dental treatment that improves your appearance.

Plan for it.

Tooth loss can result from poor dental hygiene. It can also occur randomly, by accident.

Replacing your missing tooth or teeth should be anything but random or unplanned. Dental implants require strategic, careful planning to assure reliability.

Your medical history matters. And it’s important to be as thorough as possible.

The prescriptions you take can have an impact on your dental implant procedure. And so can your use of over-the-counter medications including supplements.

Be prepared to share and discuss your medical details with us during your free consultation. This helps us pinpoint any potential problems that could impact the success of your implant treatment.

A comprehensive examination is important too. X-ray scans are an essential element of this process.

It’s vital to have as much information about your jawbone as possible. The location of your nerves, blood vessels, and sinus cavities will help us understand how and where to accurately place your implant.

This preliminary step also provides us necessary information about the amount of bone that’s available for your dental implant. If bone is lacking, we are prepared to offer a bone graft to assure stable tissue for your implant.

Dental implants have a reputation for success. You can guarantee that yours is no exception by understanding what’s involved and planning for the best possible outcomes.

If You Want to Improve the Lifetime Value of Your Dental Implants, Don’t Skip This

You’ve been there. You purchased a product or service on perceived value.

Then it happened! A problem arose.

Now, where’s the support?

No doubt there’s significant value accompanying dental implant treatment. Even better – your support is built in.

What do I mean?

Deciding to have oral surgery is a major step. And you should expect that post-operative protocol is essential to the lifetime value of your dental implant.

Hold that thought on “lifetime value.” We’ll return to that in a moment.

The follow-up factor

Many factors affect the success of your dental implant. Including…

• Preliminary (in our case, free) consultation

• Bone and gum tissue health

• Treatment expertise

• Bone adaptation after placement (osseointegration).

And the all-important topic of the moment…

• Follow-up appointments.

Healing begins the moment the implant is placed. But it is sustained during the monitoring phase.

Don’t miss it!

Why? Because the early stages, following implant placement, is where problems can be spotted, treated, and eliminated.

Typically, expect your first follow-up to be within three to four weeks of your oral surgery. This allows us eyes-on opportunity to check the progress of your healing.

And this is vital to the success of your implant.

The stability of your dental implant relies on how it integrates with your jawbone. Your bone tissue must bond, in a timely way, with the titanium post (your implant).

This process (osseointegration) can require several months. During that time, it’s important that you’re consistent with your scheduled follow-up appointments.

It’s great to feel good and we want to keep it that way.

We hope and plan to provide you a worry-free implant treatment. And frankly, any issues that arise makes it all the more important to be monitored via regular follow-up.

Count on your follow-up appointment frequency to be reduced as time goes by. Within an appropriate amount of months it won’t be necessary.

A shift in your priorities

This where lifetime value comes into view. It’s vital to treat each dental procedure as an essential element of your healthy life plan.

Your new dental implant is no doubt part of that. And even though it’s not vulnerable to decay (as a natural tooth is) the bone and gum tissue it’s placed within is.

Lifetime value for your dental care relies on routine check-ups, dental exams, and teeth cleanings. These regularly scheduled appointments provide consistent monitoring of your overall oral health.

Teeth are for life. And your dental implants are no exception.

Schedule a consultation to determine how implant treatment can replace your missing teeth. And continue to maintain the health of your teeth and gums by scheduling your next dental exam and teeth cleaning.

The Bare Essentials of Dental Implant Treatment

Telling it like it is. First, this isn’t a warning that bluntness is about to occur.

Rather, it’s a cut-to-the-chase…just-the-facts-ma’am list of a few top reasons your choice of dental implant treatment couldn’t be better.

So, without further delay…

A dental restoration as close to natural as possible

Dental implants are more than a surface, cosmetic treatment. In fact, what’s beneath the surface makes them a solid restorative dental treatment.

Your implant comes complete with a new tooth root. A dental implant creates a solid foundation where it counts – beneath the gum tissue in the space your complete missing tooth once occupied.

Your new tooth root (implant) and the visible tooth (crown) on the surface enable you to bite and chew comfortably…and naturally…once again.

Save-face (let me explain)

Tooth loss can set off an avalanche of problems. It’s essential to treat it sooner rather than later.

The reason? Your facial bone structure is at risk the longer you delay tooth replacement.

Following tooth loss the bones in your face will begin to collapse if you delay replacement. Treating the missing tooth gap(s) with dental implants helps preserve your facial bone structure.

Low impact

Your teeth work together. A missing tooth can add stress to the surrounding teeth.

Some tooth replacement options, though practical, can impact the appearance and structure of adjoining teeth. For example, a dental bridge will require surrounding teeth to be altered with grinding so the bridge can be attached.

This compromises the tooth surface and structure. And the results can potentially put your long term health at risk.

Even the clasps on partial dentures can impact surrounding teeth. They can loosen as a result.

Dental implants replace missing teeth without the unnecessary impact on your adjacent teeth. This removes damage potential and creates a healthier mouth.

Smile enhancement

A single damaged or missing tooth can completely change the appearance of your smile. And again, the long term impact of less effective treatments or avoiding treatment can substantially change how your smile looks.

Dental implant treatment creates a natural, smile enhancing appearance. Your implant(s) strengthen your bone, facial structure, and overall quality of your mouth.

Reduced maintenance

Oral hygiene is always important. With dental implants it’s easier.

Clean the crown (top) portion of your implant as you would your natural tooth. Compared to cleaning a tooth supported bridge or denture, your dental implant requires much less daily maintenance.

Lifestyle upgrade

Think of your dental implant treatment as more than a dental procedure. This reduces it to something clinical instead of something transformational.

Taking action is the first step towards improving your life. This applies to implants.

Tooth replacement with dental implants preserves the health of your mouth and facial structure. This is step towards improving your overall mindset about your appearance.

Experience renewed self confidence and self esteem. Smiling is only the beginning of your lifestyle upgrade.

Dental implants also replace chronic discomfort with comfortable eating and chewing. They eliminate the high maintenance of dentures and partials too.

Ask us about all the lifestyle benefits of dental implants. Better yet, schedule a consultation and get all your questions answered on the spot.

This Could Complicate Your Dental Implant Treatment

The New Year (or any time for that matter) is no time for delays. It’s time to prioritize and do what’s necessary to assure your good health – especially your dental health.

The previous year might have left you with something missing. And if a single tooth or multiple teeth are what’s being missed it’s time to take preventative action.

Delaying treatment for missing teeth only complicates things. Why start your clean slate with unnecessary complications?

Why out-of-sight-out-of-mind isn’t a good idea

It’s common to delay replacement of a missing tooth or teeth. After all, if you can’t see the space that remains, why bother?

There are a few key reasons to take action. The consequences can be detrimental to your oral health if you postpone treatment.

The empty space might not be impacting your smile as we speak. But ongoing delay will.

Your teeth will begin to shift. And when this occurs it will become increasingly difficult (perhaps even painful) to chew and speak properly (not to mention how your smile appears).

Think long term

You can fill the missing tooth space with a number of treatments. Dentures and dental bridges are among the common choices.

But there’s one treatment that has significant long term benefit for your oral health and smile appearance.

Dental implants are a solid, trustworthy, and attractive tooth replacement option. Dentures and dental bridges lack an all-important feature.

A dental implant provides a new, artificial tooth root. And the attractive, tooth colored dental crown provides an appealing cosmetic dental aspect to enhance your smile.

The solid truth

Once your dental implant is placed something unique to the treatment happens. The bone in your jaw will integrate with your new implant root.

This assures you greater stability and function. Other tooth replacement options lack this vital element.

Beyond that, your dental implant prevents your jawbone from eroding. Tissue that is left on its own – without a tooth – will eventually deteriorate causing the surrounding teeth and bone to weaken.

When bone loss occurs you face more serious dental issues. Any future implant treatment could be at risk due to a lack of adequate, strong bone tissue.

Bone grafts are an option. But with delayed tooth replacement, the lack of healthy or available bone tissue will prohibit you from dental implant success.

Tooth loss affects your entire lifestyle. This is especially true when you delay replacement.

Chewing your food, smiling, and speech are among the impacts you could face. Your overall health is dependent on keeping your teeth, bone, and gum tissue healthy.

Treatment delay following tooth loss is risky. Prioritize your health today, beginning with your mouth.

Ask us about the dental implant treatment procedure. Schedule a consultation to discuss your missing teeth and tooth replacement options.

What Long-term Denture Wearers Should Know About Dental Implants

Denture wearers often notice something’s missing. If you’ve worn them for years, this is especially true.

Loose fit is the most noticeable symptom. And the cause can lead you to wonder if there’s a satisfactory solution.

What’s happening?

The shifting and poor fit of your denture is the result of your jawbone wearing away. The clinical term for this condition is resorption.

Bottom-line, your teeth’s roots are no longer capable of adding structure and stability to your bone. But there’s something more significant to reckon with if you’re experiencing this.

Your bone deterioration (resorption) can pose a structural problem if you choose dental implant treatment. There’s a solution and it has to do with the superior results of implants for missing tooth replacement.

Dental implants actually form a new tooth root. This is a key difference in an implant and dentures that fit on top of available gum and bone tissue.A dental implant fuses to the jawbone over time (known as ossiointegration). This creates a more stable and long-term effective structure for your new tooth.

The linchpin

The process of your implant adapting to your jawbone hinges on a primary requirement. You must have a sufficient amount of bone to sustain it.

Your dental implant requires a foundation to anchor your new tooth root. Available bone beneath the surface is necessary for this to occur.

There are fixes for lack of bone structure. This helps assure you, if you’re a denture wearer, that you can experience the benefits of dental implants.

Bone grafts are a common procedure to supplement your bone tissue. Bone is obtained from elsewhere in your body (chin or hip) or from outside donor sources (cadaver).

The new bone tissue will integrate and strengthen your remaining tissue. When the healing process is complete your dental implant can be placed.

Dentures are a common treatment for missing teeth. It’s important to understand that long-term wear can reduce your bone structure and cause complications.

Dental implants are superior for a variety of reasons. Primarily, they preserve your bone structure and actually add stability to it.
Ask us about dental implant treatment as a denture wearer. Schedule a consultation to assess your available bone structure and discuss the numerous benefits of implants.

Will My Dental Implant “Get Along” with My Other Teeth?

You know that feeling of introducing something new to an already established routine or location? Yes, that feeling.

Well, no worries when it involves your missing teeth. More specific, when you choose dental implants to fill the gap.

Your decision to replace your missing or damaged teeth with dental implants gives you advantages. One, your implant doesn’t intrude on your surrounding teeth.

Stand-alone security

Dental implants function independent of your adjoining tooth or teeth. This doesn’t imply that your implant has no beneficial, supportive impact on how your teeth. Think of your dental implant as a solid, new tooth root. That’s precisely the implant’s function – security. The implant is a strong, titanium post that’s inserted via oral surgery into your jawbone. What happens over the next several months is the “magic” of implant treatment.

Compatibility where it matters

Your jawbone tissue is complex. But its complexity allows it to adapt to your new titanium tooth root. Over time your bone surrounds the implant (root). The tissue integrates with the dental implant and creates a solid foundation for the new, visible tooth (crown) to be placed.

A dental implant becomes a natural fixture in your jaw. It functions on its own alongside, but not dependent on, your surrounding teeth.

Structure to build on

Secure, solid tooth replacement is the goal of dental implant treatment. Your implant forms a new structure for completely filling your missing tooth space.

Dentures and/or dental bridges can fill the space. The downside – your jaw bone can erode beneath the surface.

Also, dentures and bridges require the support of your neighboring teeth. Treatment would require anchoring to other teeth and having an impact on those teeth’s healthy surface enamel.

Dental implants minimize or completely eliminate the potential for damage to your surrounding teeth. Implant treatment is a win-win, worry-free, solid alternative for tooth replacement.

Your new implant supported tooth will match your existing teeth. And it will become a natural, functioning part of your mouth.

If Cost is the Reason You’ve Avoided Dental Implants – Think Again!

The word “surgery” brings to mind a number of thoughts. And when it’s oral surgery, such as a dental implant, the concerns can multiply.

Fear of the procedure itself ranks high. So do costs.

The cost factor could be the reason you’ve delayed dental implant placement. Though it’s a common oral surgery procedure, you might consider it out of your price range.

Can you really afford comparison shopping?

It’s important to compare dental implant treatment costs to other tooth replacement options. A long-term investment perspective is useful when you’ve lost a tooth or teeth.

Dental bridges and dentures top the list of comparison options. And it makes sense because in many instances they have a lower sticker price.

Where the comparison ends

Dentures and bridges are popular (and perceived to be cost-effective). Where they differ significantly from dental implants is in durability.

Implant treatment has lifetime value. Your dental implant is designed to outlast most, if not all, tooth replacement options.

The implant is actually inserted into your jawbone (unlike dentures and bridges that occupy the surface of your gum and bone). This helps assure long lasting stability for your new tooth and its function.

During the healing process your bone tissue that surrounds the new titanium (implanted) tooth root integrates with the implant. It actually mimics your tooth structure from top to bottom, including the visible crown on the surface.

Structural stability is a key benefit of dental implant treatment too. The implant stabilizes your jawbone (where the missing tooth gap was located) and prevents bone atrophy from occurring.

Less than what you pay for?

Bridges and dentures lack this stabilizing effect. Over time your jawbone will wear away due to lack of support.

Losing a tooth or teeth changes the shape and stability of your bone and connected tissue. Bridges and dentures will typically lose their fit when this occurs.

Fitting, repair, and replacement issues will require more dental appointments and increased treatment costs. Dental bridges and crowns are also vulnerable to tooth decay and can fail after an average of 10 years.

Your best long-term tooth replacement option

Decay is not a problem for dental implants and their crowns. They preserve your oral health for a lifetime while reducing unnecessary treatment costs.

Your dental implant creates no unhealthy impact on your surrounding teeth. On the other hand, a bridge that requires dental crowns on adjacent teeth can have a damaging impact on your healthy tooth enamel.

Dental implants are also easier to maintain. Keep them free from harmful oral bacteria and you will preserve the health of your surrounding teeth and gums.

And your implant can be brushed and flossed as you would your natural teeth. This helps maintain your mouth’s overall health.

Ask us about other long-term benefits of dental implant treatment. And we’re prepared to offer guidance about financial options and insurance coverage as well.

Dental implants can eliminate the fear of tooth replacement and save you a lifetime of costs. Schedule a consultation and allow us to answer your questions.

Are Receding Gums a Problem for Dental Implants?

It’s often easy to feel you’re out of options with certain dental problems. The good news is that not all dental issues reduce your odds of treatment success.

But you should understand that maintaining your dental health with good hygiene habits now will help the success of any future treatment. Dental implants included!

A PARTICULAR CHALLENGE

For example, gum disease must be controlled. And especially if you’re considering dental implant treatment, your receding gums could reveal the beginning of problems.

Bone loss typically follows untreated (or ignored) gum disease. Early diagnosis and treatment of any gum issues is essential to assure your successful implant placement.

ARE YOU VULNERABLE?

Your gum recession might not lead to gum disease. That’s good news.

Even so, receding gums can cause your underlying bone to become more vulnerable to harmful bacteria. The damage from bacteria can lead to bone atrophy; a problem for dental implant treatment.

Bone grafting is a solution, though it will increase treatment costs and potentially the length of your treatment. This will need to be considered to assure the success of your dental implant.

Gum recession can also expose the upper surface areas of your dental implant. A gum graft could be necessary prior to your implant procedure.

Soft tissue is obtained from available surfaces in your mouth (often the roof of your mouth). The tissue is placed on the areas where your gum recession is occurring.

PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT

Gum recession can occur more than once. It’s vital to begin and maintain  good oral health habits.

Brushing and flossing are fundamental for keeping your gums and bone tissue healthy and disease free. Dental hygiene appointments (twice per year) will help to minimize the growth of oral bacteria that leads to disease.

If you notice gum recession and are considering dental implants, schedule a consultation. This condition is treatable and we can help assure that it will not have an impact on your dental implant placement.

The Domino Effect and Your Tooth Loss

The domino effect is interesting to observe. A single falling domino sets off a chain reaction that can cause a limitless number of subsequent actions.

Tooth loss is similar.  Losing a single tooth can set into motion a chain reaction in your oral health.

The unseen issue

It’s what happens after tooth loss that matters. Bone resorption is the wearing-away of vital bone tissue in your jaw.

Bone loss follows tooth loss because your tooth’s root is no longer available to anchor and stimulate the surrounding bone tissue. And you will typically be unaware that this is occurring (out-of-sight-out-of-mind).

Your jawbone depends on your teeth to stay healthy. When your tooth root is missing or damaged your bone will eventually wear away (bone resorption).

Visible results

Bone resorption is more noticeable depending on the number of missing teeth you have. Tooth loss, followed by bone deterioration, changes how your jaw (and eventually your smile) looks.

The natural, clean appearance of your jaw line is altered by bone resorption. Avoiding tooth replacement creates noticeable changes to your facial features and smile.

Before you consider dentures

Understand that dentures are limited in stopping bone loss. Dentures primarily replace the top, visible (crown) portion of your missing teeth – not the roots.

Your dentures begin to fit poorly because your bone tissue is deteriorating beneath them. On the surface your dentures may appear fine but beneath (in your jawbone) is where bone resorption occurs.

A solution to stop the “domino effect” of tooth loss

Dental implants change the game. They literally get to the root of your missing tooth problem.

Certainly, implants provide surface appeal. But their significant benefit is creating a new, artificial tooth root that prohibits bone resorption.

Your dental implant has a titanium post that forms a new tooth root. It eventually will be absorbed by your bone tissue and create a solid foundation for your surrounding teeth.

You also have options if you’re a denture wearer. Dental implants can provide support to a prosthetic appliance if you make the switch and have experienced bone loss while wearing dentures.

Bone resorption is an issue if you’re a denture wearer or have experienced tooth loss. Dental implant treatment can reduce your risk or solve your problem completely.

Ask us about tooth loss, tooth replacement, dental implants, and implant supported dentures.

How Vulnerable is a Dental Implant?

You like to invest in things that exceed your expectations. Who needs a let-down, right?

Replacing your missing teeth with dental implants will exceed your overall expectations in many ways. Remember the common ways to lose your teeth are dental decay, trauma, or gum disease.

And you want assurance that your new dental implant will not experience a similar outcome.

Are dental implants “bullet-proof?”

It’s common to want fail-safe proof when investing in implant treatment. If you’ve lost teeth as result of dental cavities or periodontal (gum) disease it makes sense to ask if your dental implant is vulnerable to the same.

Fact: Your dental implant is crafted from titanium. The oral bacteria that causes cavities and gum disease cannot have the same impact on your implant.

Reality: Be aware of the deeper affects of oral disease. Your dental implant is part of  your oral health environment.

The implant is inserted into your jaw. The surrounding bone adapts and bonds with your new titanium tooth root.

Bone strength and stability is vital to your dental implant’s success and disease-free longevity.

Bone loss remains a threat if you experience periodontal (gum) disease or tooth decay. This can attack the long term viability of your dental implant.

Gum disease is an equal nemesis. If untreated, it can cause your implant to fail and need to be replaced.

Controlling your gum disease in advance of your implant placement is vital. You want to eliminate all potential threats to help assure the success of your dental implant.

Decades of effectiveness

You should expect your implant procedure to last for decades. The linchpin is proper care and maintenance of your oral health.

Remember your dental implant will not be compromised by oral bacteria. But oral diseases can affect your implant’s stability.

Follow a consistent routine of oral health care. And schedule your exams and teeth cleanings to stay aware of potential threats to your teeth, gums, and dental implant.

Question: What are your primary concerns about the longevity of your dental implant treatment? Comment.