Dental Implants
We specialize in implant placement. In a healthy individual who doesn’t smoke, dental implants have a success rate of 96-98% when placed by a dental specialist. Four (4) factors that determine implant success are:
- Patient – uncontrolled diabetes and smoking are known to decrease implant success
- Surgical – implants placed by inexperienced surgeons, implants placed in inadequate bone or improper position can decrease implant success. Dr. McCrudden & Dr. Yoo have a proven track record with more than 5000 implant surgeries performed over the past 10 years. Our office has long-term follow-up on cases performed by our periodontists.
- Restoration – the final restoration supported by the implant fixture is as important to long-term success. Our office works with a great team of referring doctors with proven track records
- Recall & maintenance – implants will never get cavities, but still need to be brushed/flossed daily and monitored and cleaned professionally. [See periodontal maintenance tab]
Although having a beautiful smile and the confidence that comes with that are important, there are also important health reasons to have dental implants. Whether replacing one tooth or several, implants are an important solution to restoring and maintaining dental health.
Once a tooth is lost, several things begin to happen that are not immediately noticeable to a patient and which can have a significant negative effect on both health and appearance. Tooth roots help hold teeth in place but they are also critical in maintaining health in the surrounding gums and supporting bone structures. Bone loss in the jawbone is one of the significant problems that naturally occurs once a tooth is lost. This bone loss can compromise the integrity of neighboring tooth roots and tooth stability. This bone loss is also a large part of what causes the “sunken” look that is seen in people who have lost several or all of their teeth. It is the reason patients who wear dentures find that over time their dentures are harder and harder to fit and keep in place.
Dental implants help maintain and strengthen bone structure. This means they do much more than replace the missing tooth – they also protect the existing teeth by helping to preserve bone structure.
Dental implants are the replacement of tooth roots in the mouth. Implants provide a strong foundation for fixed or removable replacement teeth. Dental implants, which are placed in the jawbone, are small anchors made of a biocompatible metal called titanium. The anchors begin to fuse with the bone over the course of a few months. After the fusing process, known as osseointegration, abutment posts are inserted into the anchors to allow for the permanent attachment of the replacement teeth.
Using CBCT scans and restorative virtual treatment planning, along with specialized training, we are able to provide guided implant placement for our patients.
Using a virtual 3-D model or a physical model, implant placements and the following restorative work can be simulated to create the ideal patient treatment plan. These virtual plans allow the doctor to take multiple aspects of implant placement and restoration into consideration, resulting in optimal aesthetics, function and longevity for the patient’s final restoration. Working with a 3-D model also allows the patient to better understand the procedures and visualize the end result.
Once planning is complete, specialized software can be used to create a surgical guide for use during implant placement. This guide directs the exact location, angle and depth of the implant placement. The use of the guide increases the accuracy, efficiency, safety and predictability of the procedure.
An implant supported bridge is a restorative solution for spaces where three or more adjacent teeth are missing. The bridge replaces multiple adjacent missing teeth without the use of a denture. This restoration typically requires two implants to support the porcelain bridge. The bridge provides a functional and aesthetic replacement for the patient’s natural teeth.
Implant supported dentures can be either fixed or removable. This solution requires the placement of two or more implants. If a removable denture is selected, the denture will “snap” on to the implant rather than requiring the use of denture paste or adhesives. Removable dentures can be taken out for cleaning at night.
This technique offers many advantages over traditional dentures.
Easy to care for, this solution can simulate the look and feel of natural teeth and stay fixed in place with the implants acting as anchors. Patients will not experience the typical rocking and movement or gum irritation associated with dentures. For the lower jaw, this has now become the STANDARD OF CARE.
Full Arch with Only 4 Implants
This procedure is a unique implant solution that allows patients who are missing all of their upper or lower teeth to replace a full arch of teeth using only 4 implants as “anchors”.
This technique offers many advantages over traditional dentures.
Easy to care for, this solution can simulate the look and feel of natural teeth and stay fixed in place with the implants acting as anchors. Patients will not experience the typical rocking and movement or gum irritation associated with dentures. Patients can often leave the same day with a full arch of teeth, reducing both overall cost and healing time for the patient.
Dental implant placement can help alleviate the sunken look that can occur with bone loss in the jaw by stimulating bone growth in the area around the implant. This process is called osseointegration and can also help prevent future bone loss.
With this implant supported full arch, there is no plate covering the roof of the mouth, so speaking and eating are more natural and comfortable than with a traditional denture.
The Benefits and Importance of Dental Implants
Want to know more about why you should choose dental implants?
Learn More