Dental Implants
Dental implants are titanium posts or artificial tooth roots that serve as an anchor for one or multiple teeth replacements. Dental implants may be an option for people who have lost one or more teeth due to periodontal disease, caries, trauma or require extractions and are interested in dental implant(s) as a replacement option.
Each implant is made up of 3 components:
- Dental Implant (Titanium Post): Placed in the jawbone to anchor and act as an artificial root
- Abutment: Connector that secures and attaches the restoration (see below) directly to the implant
- Restoration: A crown, bridge, hybrid or denture made by your restoring dentist (general dentist or prosthodontist) to provide the appearance of a natural tooth and provide function
Dental implants may require other procedures to prepare the site for implant placement and dental implants may be coupled with other surgical therapies such as extraction, bone grafting and gum grafting.
What to Expect:
- Comprehensive Examination
- Your visit begins with a thorough periodontal and oral examination and digital imaging to assess tissue health, measure pocket depth and gum recession, assess bone loss and screen for oral cancer. Dr. Holden creates a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs, diagnosis and comfort level and discuses planned restorations with your general / restoring dentist.
- CBCT (Cone Beam Computed Tomography) is a 3-dimensional x-ray, advanced imaging technique providing accurate visualization of dental structures, bone and nerve canals. CBCTs can locate exact 3D positioning of dental structures and bone volume to accurately and strategically plan dental implant placement and any associated implant procedures.
- Dental Implant Placement
- Precise surgical placement of the dental implant into the bone with adequate time for healing for osseointegration (attachment of the bone to the dental implant) and follow up to ensure the implant is healthy and stable prior to restoration placement.
- Follow up
- Follow up, which is specifically tailored to each patient is recommended to keep implants in health and function after they have been placed, healed and restored and is a team effort with your restoring dentist.
- Implant Maintenance
- To maintain the results of both non-surgical and surgical earlier therapies, similar to periodontal maintenance. Implant maintenance at home and in the office are of the utmost importance for disease control to prevent the return of disease (if previously present) and allow early and swift detection of dental concerns.
- Implant Maintenance schedules are tailored to each patient’s needs and are often ore frequent of patients have had a history of periodontitis or peri-implantitis.