Dental implants were the perfect solution for one newly retired man

George is the kind of person everyone loves to be around. Wherever he goes, he radiates optimism and enthusiasm. You can’t be around George without bursting into a smile. His laughter and positive outlook infect his family and friends with hope and joy.

For almost 50 years, George was a highly successful salesman and business owner. Recently retired, he shows no signs of slowing down. For people like George, retirement is a time for building stronger bonds with family and friends—and for nurturing new friendships.

George always put other people’s interests in front of his own. When his children were growing up, he spent money and time on them instead of indulging in expensive toys for himself. People all over town marveled at the life-size playhouse he built in the back yard for his daughter; before that, there was the two-story, frontier-inspired fort he built for his two sons.

George’s last two children, both girls, were born when he was in his forties. At a stage in life when most parents become empty nesters, George bought ponies for his little girls and financed their lifelong love of equestrian riding.

He put all five kids through college, of course, and still sends them money on their birthdays. This year George’s children made a special request: They asked their father to do something for himself. After a lifetime of putting others first, it was George’s turn.

The gift your loved ones wish they could give you

George knew what he needed to do. He hadn’t talked about it much, but everyone who was close to him had known for a long time. For years, George had neglected the very thing that drew others to him—his smile.

Dental implants were the perfect solution: They’re the closest thing to real teeth. If properly cared for, they will last the rest of George’s life. Dental implants were a much better solution than removable dentures, which are notorious for their poor chewing performance. More importantly, dentures contribute to gradual bone breakdown, which ultimately causes facial collapse.

Dental implants restored George’s smile. Permanently anchored in the underlying bone, implants never slip. Unlike denture wearers, implant wearers never get caught without their teeth.

George’s smile hadn’t been as bright in recent years. Consciously or unconsciously, he hadn’t wanted his family and friends to see how serious his own need had become. Dental implants gave George the confidence he needed to light up rooms again.

Find out how dental implants can restore your confidence and put the sparkle back in your smile. Give yourself the gift your loved ones wish they could give you.

It’s your turn.

Marilyn Calvo DDS of Smile Studio LA will be featured on Best of LA TV on Sunday February 28th, @ 2:00pm on KCAL 9

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A dental implant is an artificial tooth root replacement used in prosthetic dentistry. It has several types, with major classifications of osseointegrated and fibrointegrated implant. These types of prosthetic dentistry support restorations that will resemble a tooth or group of teeth to restore esthetic and dental imperfections.

Considerations

There are a few factors that will make or break the workings of a dental implant.

Bone and tissue integrity. First off, there should be enough bone in the jaw that should also be strong enough to support and hold the implant. If there isn’t, then additional procedures may be performed such as bone graft procedure or bone augmentation. Also, natural teeth and supporting tissues surrounding the site of implant should be in good health.

Final occlusion. Another factor to address is the functionality of the final implant restoration. Concerns such as the force that is placed on the bone implant—ex. chewing, among others—should be considered because unequal load from tolerance of the implant interface can fracture the bone.

Type of prosthesis. The type of prosthesis to be fabricated must first be determined in order to finalize the number, diameter, length, and thread pattern. This is a lengthy procedure since the case must be reversely engineered; consultation must be done with a periodontist, endodontist, oral surgeon, or co-professional involve in the treatment, impressions of the patient’s jawbones and teeth must be taken, and diagnostic examinations such as CAT scans to be done. All these actions are necessary for preliminary assessment. There are a number of professionals involve in this treatment, each with different contributing specialty.

Computer simulation. This software bases its data on the CAT scan result and it allows virtual implant surgical placement. This technology gives a visual feel and a high level of predictability of the procedure’s result. It predicts the vital anatomy, implant characteristics, bone quality, and the need for bone grafting.

Complements

There are no contraindications for dental implants. However, there are complementary procedures to be done prior to the main procedure.

Sinus lifting. A specialized professional will thicken inadequate parts of the atrophic maxilla towards the sinus through bone transplants or bone expletive substances, resulting to a better site for the implantation.

Bone grafting. Since sufficient bone is needed in three dimensions to integrate the implant securely, it will then be necessary to have adequate maxillary or mandibular bone. The result is improved bone height to provide ample anchor for the implant.

Success and Failure

The general consensus for implants success rate is an approximate 95%. Of course, the success hugely depends on the professional’s skill, quality and quantity of the bone and tissue anchor, and the patient’s degree of oral hygiene.

Failure of a dental implant can be related to many factors such as:

• Failure to osseointegrate correctly

• Susceptibility to periodontal diseases

• Risky behaviors such as smoking

• Wear and tear of the implant

Such conditions are preventable in varying degrees. Thus it is always best to research and consult from established professionals, practice consistent dental hygiene, and avoid derogatory habits.

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Missing a single tooth? In need of someone who can help you replace them? Dental implants might be of great help to you but the question arises – are you a candidate for a dental implant?

Good candidates for a dental implant should have the following:

• Healthy gums – gums need to be in tip top shape for the dental procedure to be thorough. Unhealthy gums would likely pose a problem later on.

• Good health – like any other medical procedure, a patient should be in good health before dental implants can be done.

• Enough bones for anchor – the jaw must have enough bones for the implant to be embedded to secure its foundation. Some people who have less bone or who have lost bones will have to undergo other procedures that would rebuild the bones of the lower jaw.

• Commitment – having the commitment to be able to take good care of the dental implants is a must for those who want the procedure to last long. This includes proper hygiene and regular visits to the dentist.

Although there are some good candidates for the dental implants, here are also some points that invalidate a person from taking the procedure:

• Pregnant women – they are at risk for strenuous activities that may interfere with pregnancy. Consulting both the doctor and the dentist is advisable at this point to ensure whether the pregnant woman should have the implant now or later on after giving birth.

• Smokers – smoking delays the healing of the mouth and like any other medical procedure, healing should be fast for the effect of the entire procedure to become full. With smoking, the gums are weakened thus lessening the chance of having the implant to be successful.

• Young patients – although some would be considered, it is generally accepted that young patients who are in need of dental implants are invalidated from having one because of immature bone structure and bone strength thus lessening the chance of the implant to be successful.

• Alcohol and Substance Abusers – alcohol and drugs impede the healing of the gums.

• Patients with Chronic Diseases – diseases such as diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, hemophilia, and immune diseases can invalidate clients for dental implants. Although they might still hope at having dental implants, it would all depend on the severity of the condition. Discussing this matter with the doctor and the dentist is the best move.

• Patients Who Are On Drugs That Suppress The Immune System – the procedure would need a healthy patient for it to be successful. People who are medicated with immunosuppressants are usually on hold for this type of procedure.

• People Who Grind And Clench Their Teeth – these types of habits put too much pressure on the teeth and on the implants which increases the risks and lower the efficacy of the dental implants.

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Today, dental implants have become one of the most useful tools for those who have missing teeth and other such problems. But from what we know of, are there any types of implants used to give us those pearly white smiles we deserve? From what we have researched, we’ve discovered more than one type of dental implants that exist today.

A common component of these dental implants is titanium. Titanium is a metal that has special qualities that makes it very useful and ideal for dental implants. Titanium develops a thin film on the surface that protects it from erosion. It is resistant to acids, oxygen and salt solutions. But what makes titanium unique from other metals is that the human body does not reject it as a foreign object.

These are the several types of dental implants which you can discuss with your dentist:

Root Form Implant – the most popular of all dental implants. These implants are placed in the bone. Its physical appearance looks like that of a screw or nail. The bone should be wide enough for the root form implant to be successful and that it needs a proper and secure foundation. The dentist will then place a crown, bridge, or denture on top of the implant.

Ramus-Frame Implant – this type of dental implant can be used when the lower jaw bone is not fit enough as a foundation for the implant or the jawbone is weak. A Ramus-frame implant is implanted on the jawbone through the back part of the mouth and near the chin. It would look like a thin metal bar and is visible at the top of the gum. After the process, the dentures can now be embedded. The implant also strengthens the weak lower jaw bone and protects them from fractures.

Transosseous Implant – This type of dental implant was used for people who have little jaw bone or who have no bottom row of teeth. But with today’s situation, most patients prefer other implants than the transosseous implants since this requires extensive surgery, anesthesia, and hospitalization therefore increasing the overall cost of the procedure. Most practitioners prefer bone grafts and other implant methods because they are more effective.

Blade-Form Implant – also known as the plate-form dental implant. This type of endosseous implant is placed in the bone together with metals shaped like flat rectangles with one or two metal prongs on one side. The implant is then placed at the jaw where the prongs will stick out and the practitioner would later embed crowns and bridges onto it.

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We have to admit it. Dentistry has come a long way than dealing only with tooth decay and bad breath. We are in an age where beauty and appearance matters. We can’t deny that having missing teeth is obviously keeping us from interacting with other people. It was not a long time ago when dentists were using ivory prosthetics but as time passed, we have developed a far more sophisticated means of dealing with these problems. Several people have considered putting on dentures while some have opted for the better decision by choosing to have dental implants.

Dentures

By proper definition, dentures are prosthetic devices that act to replace missing teeth. Conventionally, dentures are made to be removable so that it can be cleaned and taken care of. The fact that dentures are removable brings the idea that it might have the tendency to fall out in some instances like talking and laughing. It also brings discomfort to people who are not used to having a device stuck inside their mouth. Because of this, the mouth produces more saliva and which in return causes the dentures to be even more susceptible to falling off.

Although some dentures are bonded or clipped to nearby teeth or to gums, they induce much discomfort. Dentures also cause sore spots as they rub and push each other onto the gums causing even more discomfort as well as pain.

Dental Implants

Dental implants on the other hand, are an artificial root replacement method that is embedded directly to the gums and the surrounding bone. This offers more security to the prosthetics placed on top of the titanium cap.

Dental implants offer more convenience and comfort than dentures do. One main advantage in using dental implants is that it looks naturally like a real tooth or a real set of teeth. This makes you have the confidence to smile all the way without having to worry it would look fake and can also save you the worry of the embarrassment caused by teeth falling off.Moreover, dental implants are permanent. With regular checkups and proper hygiene, the implants can last a lifetime without having to worry about dental problems.

And while dental implants are securely placed in the gum, we are assured that gum irritation poses no problem as dentures would.  Since dental implants are placed strategically inside the gum and rooted down to the jawbone, nerve endings are secured from causing agony and prevent them from getting exposed as well. With dental implants, there would be no need to cover up your mouth when laughing, smiling, and talking. You can eat your favorite food without having to think about pain and the best part of it is that you can see the advantage of boosting up your confidence by choosing to have dental implants.

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Dental implants have brought much buzz to today’s dentistry. Surely, some of us might have tried it and felt how good it is to have those teeth back and bring out that glorious smile on your face. Here are some advantages you can get when you have dental implants.

Natural look and feel. Dental implants look and feel natural. These implants are carefully done with caution so that they will look and feel as if they were real.

Prevent bone mass loss. Since they are integrated with your bones and gums, they help with bone mass loss.

Lasts long. The prosthetics used with the implant are built to last almost a lifetime with proper oral hygiene and regular check ups.

Does not affect adjacent teeth. One thing about dental implants is that it does not compromise the quality of the other teeth. Since the procedure is done only to replace the lost tooth or teeth, the other neighboring teeth are not touched. Adjacent teeth are not altered like that of bridges so the quality of your teeth is not affected. Moreover, dentists who specialize in this field know that these implants are made to make you look good, not tear your teeth apart with ridiculous surgeries that intend to breakdown the quality of your teeth.

Improved speech and comfort. These are just some of the advantages you get from having dental implants. Furthermore, dental implants save you the hassle of worrying about your speech as like that of removable dentures that keeps you on your feet when you try to talk, afraid that it might slip off from your mouth any moment. These dental implants let you speak more clearly as it is securely embedded on your jawbone and gums.

Functions naturally.  Dental implants also let you eat more comfortably, in contrast to sliding dentures where chewing becomes a matter of hard work. Dental implants functions like that of your teeth; in fact, they are your artificial teeth. And that makes it more easier, comfortable, and convenient way to chew up the food you like to eat.

Durability. Dental implants are very durable. Considering the implant is made of titanium and the prosthetics are durable enough to last a lifetime. With proper oral hygiene and routine check up with your dentist, there won’t be any problems regarding the implants.

Confidence. Another sure fire advantage of having dental implants is that it will give you the confidence you haven’t have before you had your implants. You would no longer have to worry about your removable dentures falling off whenever you smile or slur and stutter every time you try to talk.

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As everything in this world goes, nothing is perfect. Nothing is a 100 percent good. The same saying goes with having dental implants. Most of the time, dental implants are a success, but we never leave out a possibility that something could go wrong and it is with this possibility that we understand how to avoid them by means of having the right information and choosing the right person to do such procedure. Here are some of the risks involved with dental implants accompanied with the information needed to avoid, prevent or even deal with them.

Seek for a Second Opinion. First and topmost caution you must take is to seek for a second opinion. Although it is not entirely wrong for you to fully trust your dentist of his opinion when you have to undergo a dental implant, it is also not erroneous to seek out another opinion to make it more or less an assurance that you do need to have a dental implant.

Understand Reasons. You must make it a point to fully understand the given reasons why you need it and asks if there are other steps you can take before undergoing a dental implant procedure.

Ask Questions. Do not be afraid to ask the dentist questions that worry you. Ask them the “what ifs”. What if the implant fails or what if something happens in the middle of the procedure? Listen carefully to what the dentist has to say and ask what he/she would do if the implant does fail and how will he/she fix it.

Be cautious. Have an idea about the treatment plan including the cost of everything. Being too cautious is never a sin. The dentist will surely understand.

Know the After Effects. Infections are rare in dental implants. But it does sometimes occur. In most cases though, it is controlled by antibiotics. Ask your dentist about how the infection occurred and why it did. Assuring yourself that you have a competent and well-trained dentist would bring ease to you as you have a professional working on the procedure.

Dental implants sometimes do fail. But it should not stop us from getting that beautiful look on your smile. It should not be a hindrance to a better life that you have always wanted. Having the right information is a great tool to be safe. Having second guesses or doubts is normal when it comes to making decisions about things you are not familiar of; yet, there are still people out there who can give you the good note. Nothing in this world is perfect but it is never wrong to be cautious.

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Dental Implants are the next best thing to keeping your natural teeth. Tooth loss becomes inevitable for some people because of tooth decay, acute periodontitis or gum disease, root canal failure, trauma to the mouth, or congenital defects.

To avoid feeling too self-conscious, people with missing teeth seek their replacement and the common options are bridges or dentures. However, bridges are possible only if there are sufficient remaining teeth that are strong enough to support the bridge. Even then, the procedure involves filing down the adjacent teeth that will act as anchor and this may compromise the health of these teeth.

On the other hand, dentures are cumbersome as they need to be removed for cleaning. They are also inconvenient as the lower denture tends to slide making it difficult to chew and talk. Besides, dentures are made of plastic and eating with them affects the taste of food.

For these reasons, many are considering dental implants. Implants provide better support and accommodate more stable replacement teeth that are also comfortable for the person. Dental implants enable an individual to have permanent fixed teeth again. They also slow down the shrinkage of the jawbone which is a normal result of tooth loss.

What are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are permanent metal fixtures (think screws) that are anchored to the jawbone. They serve as artificial tooth root to replace the root of the missing teeth. Dental implants are made of commercial-medical grade of titanium, the same metal that is used in hip replacements. Titanium is strong and lightweight; it is compatible to the body.

Dental implants are allowed to fuse into the jawbone through a process called osseointegration. This makes the implants extremely strong and stable. They won’t slide, create noise, or damage the bone structure.

When a titanium post is in place, an artificial tooth (crown) is fitted on it with an aesthetic look of a natural tooth because it emerges out of the gum. You may replace one tooth or several teeth. Dental implants look like natural teeth and they feel very natural too. If you won’t tell, no one will ever know that you have dental implants.

What Makes Dental Implants the Right Choice?

If you have lost one or more teeth, dental implants may be the right choice for you if you are unable or unwilling to wear dentures. However, you can only be considered a likely candidate for dental implant surgery if:

• Your jawbone has reached full growth;
• you have enough bone to secure the implants, or if you can have a bone graft;
• your oral tissues are healthy;
• you do not have any health conditions such as diabetes or bleeding disorders that will affect bone healing;
• you are a non-smoker; and if
• you are willing to commit the necessary time for the entire process.

Encino Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Marilyn Calvo at Smile Studio LA – Grand Cosmetic Dentistry in Encino, CA

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You can be sure, that dental implants are among the most successful cosmetic dentistry procedures available. While no cosmetic dentist can provide a guarantee on success, studies have revealed a five-year success rate of 90% for upper jaw implants and 95% for lower jaw implants. Upper jaw implants are slightly more successful because osseointegration is more challenging due to the increased density of the lower jaw. Among all dental implants, lower posterior implantation has the greatest rate of success.

As successful as dental implants may be, they can fail for several reasons.

1. Failing to osseointegrate properly. If the dental implant is not put in a good position, osseointegration may not transpire at all. When this occurs, crowns can become loose as a result of an infection or dental implants can break.
2. Continued smoking can cause dental implants to fail. If you have a smoking habit, your dentist will probably suggest you quit before receiving a dental implant. Otherwise, your chances for successful implantation will be slim to none. If you continue smoking, the money spent on dental implant will inevitably be wasted.

On a positive note, dental implants are unable to form cavities. However, you should still maintain proper oral hygiene in order to avoid developing peri-implantitis (a disease similar to periodontitis).

New Strategies for Dental Implants Dentists who regularly perform surgery, crowns, and dental implants are using a new strategy for replacing missing teeth. This new strategy helps to accelerate the osseointegration process and shaves months off of the dental implant process. Anatomical factors of the site where the tooth is removed have a huge part to play on your eligibility for this accelerated process.

Another strategy for dental implantation is the mini-implant. Mini-implants are most effective in narrow spaces and can be used for incisors and small teeth.

Encino Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Marilyn Calvo at Smile Studio LA – Grand Cosmetic Dentistry in Encino, CA

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Due to advancements in cosmetic dentistry, dental implants are extremely difficult to distinguish from other teeth. The functional connection between the living bone and the dental implant makes this look possible. While dental implants are usually installed during a single sitting, they also need a period of osseointergration – the process by which the jaw bone and dental implant root are directly anchored.

The most common and successful dental implants are marked by osseointegation. Under this process, an implant can take approximately 3-6 months to anchor and heal completely. At this point, your dentist will place a crown on the dental implant. When the jawbone and implant are successfully anchored an artificial prosthesis may be added, completing the process. Without the osseointegration process, the dental implant will be unsuccessful.

Let’s take a look at the step-by-step process of dental implants:

Preparing the Jaw

1. Your dental implant is composed of a crown and a titanium material screw.
2. A pilot hole (small in diameter) is drilled into the areas of your jaw where there is no tooth so the titanium screw can be guided properly and secure the dental implant in place. Your dentist will have to be very careful to avoid damaging the inferior alveolar nerve in your lower jaw along with other face and jaw structures.

Putting The Implant in Place:

1. The initial pilot hole is slowly widened to make room for the implant screw.
2. A protective cover screw is put on top to so the dental implant can anchor and the healing process can begin.
3. When several months have passed, the protective cover is taken away and a temporary crown is put on the dental implant. The temporary crown helps the gums to grow and form naturally around the dental implant.
4. The process is brought to completion when a permanent crown replaces the temporary one.

Encino Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Marilyn Calvo at Smile Studio LA – Grand Cosmetic Dentistry in Encino, CA

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