Dental implants are a great way to replace missing teeth and also provide a fixed solution to having removable partial or complete dentures.  Implants provide excellent support and stability for these dental appliances.

Dental implants are artificial roots and teeth (usually titanium) that are surgically placed into the upper or lower jaw bone by a Surgeon or Periodontist - a specialist of the gums and supporting bone.  The teeth attached to implants are very natural looking and often enhance or restore a patient’s smile!

Dental implants are very strong, stable, and durable and will last many years, but on occasion, they will have to be re-tightened or replaced due to normal wear.

Reasons for dental implants:

• Replace one or more missing teeth without affecting adjacent teeth.
• Resolve joint pain or bite problems caused by teeth shifting into missing tooth space.
• Restore a patient’s confident smile.
• Restore chewing, speech, and digestion.
• Restore or enhance facial tissues.
• Support a bridge or denture, making them more secure and comfortable.

What does getting dental implants involve?

The process of getting implants requires a number of visits over several months.

Dr Abe performs an extra step that is not normally done to assure the best and safest implant placement or you.  Impressions (molds) are taken of the jaw and teeth to make a precision surgical guide. A special 3-D X-ray (CT Scan) is taken of your jaw and teeth with the surgical guide. Computer modeling is then done to determine where the implant would ideally be placed in your bone, gum tissue, and the spacing available for an implant.  This also enables Dr. Abe to make sure the implant will not impinge on any vital  structures withing the bone in three-dimensions. The data is then transferred back to the surgical guide to be used in placing the implant. This assures the safest and most advantageous implant will be placed. Since the implant placement was "virtually placed" in the computer before the actual surgery and data transferred to the surgical guide, the implant(s) can be placed flaplessly (without opening a gum flap to see the bone) without sutures. The implant is allowed to heal and integrate itself onto the bone for two to four months.  Depending on the type of implant, a second surgery may be required in order to place the “post” that will hold the artificial tooth in place.  With other implants the post and anchor are already attached and placed at the same time. Because Dr. Abe uses Computer Guided Implant Placement and one stage implants, normally only one surgery is required.

Normally after several weeks of healing the artificial teeth are made and fitted to the post portion of the anchor.  The type of implants placed by Dr. Abe does not require the second healing phase because he generally uses one stage implants. A post is then fitted to the implant in preparation for artificial teeth are securely attached to the implant, by the general dentist, providing excellent stability and comfort to the patient.

You will receive care instructions when your treatment is completed.  Good oral hygiene, eating habits, and regular dental visits will aid in the life of your new implant.