What is a dental implant?

A dental implant is nothing more than a metal screw that is placed into the jaw bone. It acts as an anchor for a false tooth or a set of false teeth.

Who is a candidate for dental implants?

Restorations for patients who have no teeth of their own in one or both jaws
The restoration here is called a "crown and bridge" restoration where the crowns and bridges are either cemented onto the implants or screwed into place.
Restorations for patients who are missing one tooth such as a central incisor
Major Reconstruction

What is the success rate of dental implants?

The best case scenario is the placement of implants in the front portion of the lower jaw. Here success can be as high as 98-100%. In other areas of the mouth, success rates can drop significantly. According to figures that we have today, the success of implants in the front part of the upper jaw are anywhere from 90-95%. Success rates of implants in the back part of the upper and lower jaw can be in the 85-95% range

What can go wrong with dental implants?

They can fail to integrate into the bone and come out. They can fracture or break. There can be problems with the connection between the implant and the prosthesis. There can be an infection or an inflammatory condition in the soft tissue and sometimes in the bone as a result of the implant placement. There can be damage to the nerves in the lower jaw and there can be damage to the maxillary sinus or the nasal cavity. All of these complications are rare and usually account for less than 5% of all dental implant treatments. These complication can usually be easily corrected.

How long after a dental implant is placed can it be used to anchor my new teeth?

The protocol that was originally developed clearly states that we must wait three months in the lower jaw and six months in the upper jaw before we can begin to construct the new dental prosthesis that will be supported by the implants. In recent years, however, there has been a movement within the profession to sort of speed up this process.

Does it hurt to have dental implants placed?

The actual procedure to surgically place a dental implant is done under local anesthesia and is generally not at all painful.

Do I have to go without my "teeth" while the implants are bonding?

In most situations, patients leave the office wearing their teeth the day the implants are placed. There might occasionally be a recommendation that a patient go without their prosthesis for a short period of time.

Mini Implants

When we refer to a regular dental implant, we are referring to an implant that is approximately 4.0mm in diameter and is placed in a prepared site in the bone. Mini Implants have a diameter of about 2mm. They are placed in bone as a self tapping entity which means that a site is not prepared. Mini implants are best used to stabilize a lower denture in a very economical manner.