An implant is a titanium "root" which can be placed into the jawbone. Once integrated with your bone,
the implant can be used to support a crown, a bridge, or secure a complete denture. Dental implants
may be used to eliminate partial plates and dentures.
Implants have been used successfully for over thirty years, and have a high success rate, and function
and feel like your natural teeth. Dental implants are now the standard of care for replacing missing teeth.
Dental implant treatment represents a slightly greater investment than conventional treatment; however,
the benefits of implant therapy for most patients outweigh the minor additional cost involved.
There are actually two phases to implant dentistry
Phase 1: Using very accurate surgical techniques, an incision is made in the gum tissues and implants are placed into
dimensionally controlled sites (depth and width) in the jawbone.
First, the gum tissue is opened and the jaw bone is
tapped with a small drill and then drilled with a wider drill. The implant is inserted into place. The gum tissues are then
closed and the healing phase begins. This may take anywhere from 3-6 months to ensure a strong base.
Phase 2: An abutment is secured to the top of the implant placing a new tooth crown onto the implant abutment.
Implants can replace a single tooth, several teeth or your dentures.
MDI mini implants were developed in order to provide greater denture stability for those patients who:
Cannot withstand the rigors of conventional dental implant
surgery,
do not have enough bone to allow full-size implants to be placed, or
are in on-going therapy from one prosthetic system to another.
The head of the MDI mini implants is shaped like a ball, and the retaining fixture acts like a socket that contains a rubber O-ring.
The O-ring snaps over the ball when the denture is seated and holds the denture at a predetermined level of force.
Mini-implants can generally be placed start to finish in one to
two visits. There is no waiting time for the bone to heal.
In many cases mini implants are placed and the patient
walks out with their dentures secured on the same day.
If you have slipping dentures and are tired of being self-conscious
about the thought of losing them at an inopportune moment, a full arch
implant might be the solution for you.
Dental implants can be placed to
accept a full arch of teeth. This is done by strategically placing
implants along the upper or lower jaw and attaching a denture-like
attachment over abutments on the implant posts.
Once placed, a full arch
using implants will feel and perform like natural teeth.
You will be
able to chew with confidence and never have to worry again about losing
your dentures.