Dental Implant Options As Dental Implant Placement

CreatingHealthySmiles-circ2RFF_.qxd 8/25/14 9:41 AM Page 1

Dental Implants: What to Expect How to Choose Your Implant Dentist Teeth restored with dental Who you choose to restore your missing teeth is implants look, feel and func- just as important as the technique they use. Creating tion just like natural teeth. healthy smiles using the best restoration method for You brush, floss and visit your missing or damaged natural teeth requires the care dentist for regular check-ups of a dental implant expert who is specially trained and cleanings, same as you and skilled in implant dentistry. would to care for a natural tooth. Questions to Ask When Selecting The process is often completed over multiple visits: an Implant Dentist • Consultation and planning, including initial exam, • What’s your education and training in dental implant imaging of your teeth, questions about your treatment? dental and medical history, and discussion of • How many dental implant procedures have you your treatment options. performed? • Placement of the dental implant(s). • What treatment options do you use to restore The dental implant, usually a cylindrical and/or missing teeth? tapered post made of titanium, is placed • What steps are involved in the process and where surgically into the jawbone. and by whom are they performed? • Placement of the abutments, or connectors placed on, or built into, the top of the implant to help The American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID) connect your replacement teeth, if needed. provides information, education and training for den- Additional connecting devices needed to attach tists, periodontists, prosthodontists and oral surgeons Dental multiple replacement teeth to the implants also who perform surgical and/or restorative procedures. may be placed at this time. Implant dentists credentialed by the AAID have the • Placement of custom-made individual replacement training and expertise to assess and provide you with tooth (or teeth) or an implant-supported fixed the best possible custom plan and treatment. Implant bridge or implant-supported overdenture. To find a credentialed AAID Implant Dentist in your As you heal, your implant will integrate or fuse area, visit our web site at www.aaid-implant.org. with your natural jawbone. Temporary teeth can Options be placed while the dental implant integrates with your natural bone. This healing process can take weeks to months while you proceed with your everyday life in between appointments. American Academy of Implant Dentistry Most people return to work the next day, and any 211 East Chicago Avenue, Suite 750 discomfort can typically be treated with commonly Chicago, Illinois, 60611 Provided By used pain medication. (312) 335-1550 | (877) 335-AAID [2243] Email: [email protected]

SUCCESS STORY Dental Implant Options as dental implant placement. The long-term custom The dental implant, typically made of titanium, crown will be placed in about three to six months. Linda Chose Dental Implants is placed in the jawbone and fuses, or integrates The procedure is best for patients who have enough with your natural bone. The dental implant forms natural bone and an implant that is secure enough to Replace Bridges the stable and sturdy base for your replacement to support immediate placement and pressure on “We knew this was going teeth. the new temporary tooth. to happen,” said Linda Hembree, recalling when the bridge that used Mini Implants Single Tooth to replace six of her front teeth Mini dental implants (MDIs), sometimes referred to There is no better, long-lasting needed to be replaced — again. as small diameter or narrow diameter implants option to restoring a missing “The teeth underneath wouldn’t (SDIs or NDIs), are dental implants that are smaller tooth than a dental implant hold it anymore and it was a than the most commonly used dental implant sizes. fitted with a crown. choice of dentures or dental Mini implants are placed through less-invasive implants.” techniques and measure less than 3 millimeters in Although Linda didn’t fear the Multiple Teeth diameter. Standard implants are slightly larger, steps involved to place the dental Replacing multiple teeth using usually 3.25–5 millimeters in diameter. Mini implants implants and restore her teeth, she dental implants with individual are often used to secure a complete lower or loose offers reassurance for those who do. crowns or with an implant- denture and in patients who are not candidates for supported fixed bridge gives traditional dental implant surgery. “The dental implants look tremendous.” your teeth a level of fit, feel and All-on-4 functionality that is not possible “It’s not like you have to walk around with ugly teeth,” All-on-4 is an alternative approach to place a full with other treatment options. Linda explained. Her colleagues were even convinced arch (top or bottom set) of fixed, replacement teeth. that the temporary teeth were her long-term teeth. The All-on-4 concept involves placing implants in All Teeth (Full Arch) available bone, thereby avoiding the need for bone Within a day or so after placement of four dental Traditional replacement of a grafting. Special abutments allow a temporary set of implants to support her new teeth, “I went right back to work,” she said. “I didn’t feel any downtime at all.” complete set of upper or lower replacement teeth to be placed the same day and teeth (arch) using a dental used with a modified diet while gum tissues heal and Same, she said, of the bone graft she received to supple- implant is completed over the implants integrate with natural bone. After about ment thinning bone in one area. multiple visits. six months, the final teeth are then placed and the “I was given pain medication to use if I wanted it, but patient is able to resume a normal diet. think I only used ibuprofen if I needed anything.” Alternative Treatments The All-on-4 approach involves multiple appointments, How do her dental-implant restored teeth compare to Immediate Load Dental Implants typically including one or two consultation and the previous tooth-supported bridges? (Same Day Implants) planning visits, one to place the dental implants and “The dental implants look tremendous,” she said. Immediate Load Dental Implants, also called temporary teeth, check-ups during the six month “The implants are more solid. Durability is better. You’re “same day implants” allow placement of a tempo- healing period, and another appointment to place a little more secure — you’re not worried you’re going to rary tooth (crown) during the same appointment the replacement teeth. break your bridge or afraid to go out to eat,” she said.

See more about Linda and other dental implant Now let’s get you success stories at www.AAID-implant.org. smiling again!