Dental implants have the best long term prognosis for tooth replacement. They look, feel, and function just like natural teeth. The implant itself is a titanium post that is placed below tissue into bone where a tooth used to be. It integrates with the bone and becomes a highly predictable way to replace teeth. Implants are extremely versatile. They can be used to replace one, several, or all of your teeth.
Replacing One Tooth
Implants can replace any tooth in the mouth that is lost back to its optimal shape and function. The process for having an implant is easy and comfortable. The implant is placed and acts like the root of a missing tooth. An abutment and implant crown are then placed above the gums. The crown is what looks and feels exactly like a natural tooth and the abutment is what connects the crown to the implant. Before and after photos of anterior implant, abutment and crown
Before and after photos of anterior implant, abutment and crown
Replacing Several Teeth
When multiple teeth are missing an implant supported bridge is an excellent option. It is similar to a tooth borne bridge except that this bridge will rest on two or more implants.
Before and after photos of single implant crowns to replace teeth in the front and implant bridges replacing teeth in the back.
Before and after photos of a posterior implant bridge.. Patient had a long tooth borne bridge that failed. The teeth and bridge had to be removed. Three implants were placed and five teeth replaced with an implant supported bridge. Note the pink porcelain to mimic gum tissue. This patient had so much bone and tissue loss that the pink porcelain helps mimic natural esthetics. Without it the teeth would have looked abnormally long.
Replacing All Teeth
Sometimes a person may have a failing dentition due to cavities, trauma, infection or severe bone loss. All teeth need to come out and a denture has to be placed. Implants can help avoid the movement and irritation of dentures so that they are more comfortable and functional. For more information please see implant supported dentures.
What to Expect with Implants
A periodontist or oral surgeon recommended by our office will surgically place the implant. Patients describe the procedure as painless. You will need 3-4 months to heal and allow the implant to fuse with bone in a process called osseointegration. If loaded too soon, the implant can fail. Once the implant has integrated with bone, our office can restore the implant. Dr. Brian Haeussner will take an impression registering the implant’s location along with all other data needed for our expert lab technician to make your implant crown and custom abutment. A custom abutment is necessary because it allows us to best control gum tissue levels, esthetics, crown shape and contour, and cementation. It will take about 3 weeks to get everything back from the lab. The implant impressions and delivery appointments with Dr. Brian are simple and comfortable procedures. No local anesthesia is necessary for these appointments. The delivery appointment consists of trying in the custom abutment and the implant crown, doing any adjustments needed, and taking an x-ray to confirm the seat. Once everything looks perfect, the abutment is tightened and the screw covered with material so cement does not get into it. The crown is attached with permanent cement. We will do a one week check to make sure you are doing great with everything. It also gives us a chance to check tissue health and make sure the crown is fitting perfectly with the adjacent teeth and the bite. The process is the exact same for an implant supported bridge.
Caring for Implants
Implants have a long term success rate over 95%. Essentially you now have a titanium tooth and you cannot get a cavity around it. However, implants are still susceptible to the same gum and bone disease that teeth can suffer from. Unhealthy gum and bone around an implant can cause an implant to fail.
It is important to brush and floss around the implants so that it will stay healthy for a lifetime. Regular cleanings, radiographs and exams with Dr. Brian are also necessary to make sure the implant is stable.