Implant Information If You Lose Or Break a Tooth, a Dental Im- Tions

From the office of: Marc Malatesta, DDS 3770 Mount Read Blvd I Fact Sheet Dental Implants I Rochester, NY 14616-3436 (585) 865-7030 Implant Information If you lose or break a tooth, a dental im- tions. This also is the case for patients plant may be the best option for restoring taking bisphosphonates for osteoporosis. your smile. Learn more about dental im- Additionally, those who drink alcohol or plants and whether they are right for you. use tobacco may not be good candidates for implants. Your dentist will take into What is a dental implant? consideration your medical and dental A dental implant is a post, usually made history when deciding if implants are of titanium, which serves as a substitute right for you. for a natural tooth’s root. The implant is placed in the jawbone so that it may fuse How does implant placement with the natural bone to become a sturdy work? foundation for a replacement tooth. First, your dentist will perform surgery to Implants can be used to replace individual place the implant in the jaw. Next, the teeth or to support a bridge or denture surrounding bone will heal via a process containing multiple teeth. called osseointegration; the bone grows What can I expect after the around the implant to hold it firmly in procedure? Who can receive implants? place. Finally, your dentist will complete Most patients will adjust to implants im- Dental implants can be provided to most the process by placing on the post an mediately. Some people may feel slight patients who are missing teeth due to artificial tooth, or crown, that resembles discomfort or notice differences in their decay, disease, injury, or other medical your natural teeth. chewing or speech, but these symptoms conditions. You also may be a candidate are usually temporary. for a dental implant if you can’t wear How long does implant placement dentures or find them uncomfortable, take? How do I care for my implant? or if you don’t want to sacrifice Once the implant placement surgery is Although an implant’s success rate de- existing tooth structure to support a completed—usually in an hour or two— pends on its purpose and location in the dental bridge. the healing process begins, and that can mouth—as well as the patient’s overall Since surgery is required, implant take as long as six months. Additionally, health—a major reason some implants fail patients must be in good general health, the fitting of the permanent replacement is poor hygiene. It’s important to brush with healthy gums and adequate bone tooth is usually accomplished in one to implants at least twice a day, as well as structure. If an implant site lacks the ad- three weeks. Your dentist may provide to floss in between them. Additionally, as equate structure, a dentist may be able to you with a temporary replacement to many as four dental cleanings per year perform procedures to improve it. help you eat and speak normally until may be necessary to maintain gum health. Implants are not for everyone, however. the permanent replacement is ready. If Your dentist will give you specific instruc- Chronic conditions like bruxism, diabetes, your bone structure is strong enough, tions on caring for your implants. or leukemia may interfere with healing however, your dentist may be able to after implant surgery, so the success rate place the implant and replacement tooth Talk to your general dentist to find out decreases for patients with these condi- in one visit. whether dental implants are right for you.

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