Dental Implants - Are They for Me?
Modern, so-called osseointegrated implants, which connect to the surrounding tissue, are one of the greatest boons ever to the restoration of lost dental function and aesthetics. They often provide more secure long-term solutions than heroic periodontal surgery designed to extend the life of failing natural teeth. They have a history of more than twenty-five years of clinical success and offer a realistic alternative to conventional full or partial dentures. However, there are caveats, and every potential implant patient should be aware of them before embarking on the journey. Among the questions you should ask are:
When Can I Start?
Assuming prospective sites have been verified by clinical examination, regular x-rays, and, frequently, a CAT scan, implants often can be inserted immediately into the position of newly extracted teeth, as well as into healed areas empty of teeth. There are situations, however, when implant placement must be delayed to allow for healing of infected sites or bone additions.
How Many Implants Do I Need?
We usually recommend the largest number of implants that the bone can accept because most failures occur when too few implants are subject to overwhelming force. Given the substantial investment in time, emotion, and dollars that these cases involve, it is a serious mistake to limit the number of implants for financial reasons because that could very well cost you more later.
How Do I Function While Waiting for Implants to be Solidly Integrated into the Bone?
By using a temporary appliance of some kind you will be able to function after the implants have been placed. But this can be a nuisance period that may require repairs, adjustments and frequent visits to our office - it does pass though.
Anything else?
Yes. The prospective implant patient must be able to accept the possibility of failure and delay. Failure, when it occurs, rarely involves the complete restoration, but may mean replacing one or more implants or redesigning a bridge, and this can increase costs or extend the time needed for completion. Having said that, your best chance for a successful result is to have a surgeon and restorative dentist who understand the special needs of implant-supported dentitions (implants are not teeth - they live by different rules) and who have, not only broad experience and great skill, but the personas to demand of each other the only thing that works in this kind of dentistry - a search for perfection.
If the implant route seems too much for you, we strongly suggest a conventional treatment plan. On the other hand, if knowing the whole story makes you more at ease with the implant concept, then you may be on your way to a level of comfort and security that cannot be matched by any ordinary denture or removable bridge.
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