Procedures
Dental Implants
Dental implants are changing the way people live! Dental Implants are designed to provide a permanent foundation for replacement teeth which look, feel, and function like natural teeth. The person who has lost teeth now can regain the ability to eat virtually anything and can smile with confidence, knowing that teeth appear natural and that facial contours will be preserved.
Dental Implant Presentation
To provide you with a better understanding of dental implants, we have provided the following multimedia presentation. Many common questions pertaining to dental implants are discussed.
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What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants themselves are Titanium posts which are inserted into the jawbone where teeth are missing. These Titanium anchors act as tooth root substitutes. They are surgically placed into the jawbone by Dr. Schelkun and Dr. Sayles, your Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. The bone bonds with the Titanium, creating a strong, permanent foundation for artificial teeth. Small posts are then attached to the implant which extends up through the gum tissue. These posts provide stable anchors for prosthetic replacement teeth, caps or crowns placed by your primary dentist. Dental implants are a team process. The surgeon performs the surgical phase, placing the implants into the bone. Then your primary dentist does the dental phase placing the teeth on top of the implants.
Dental implants also help preserve facial structure, preventing the bone deterioration that occurs when teeth are missing.
Who is a Candidate for Dental Implants?
Current state of the art techniques allow almost anyone who is missing a tooth to be a candidate for dental implants. Dr. Schelkun and Dr. Sayles have the experience and knowledge to provide anyone with the opportunity to have dental implants. Dr. Schelkun has been reconstructing patients with Dental implants for more than 25 years. However, certain patients (such as smokers and head and neck cancer and radiation patients) can have an increased incidence of implant difficulties and failures. Special procedures may be necessary when Drs. Schelkun and Sayles treats these patients.
Drs. Schelkun and Sayles works directly with you and your primary dentist to develop a personalized dental implant treatment plan. They have many different Dental Implant systems to accommodate a multitude of treatment plans or preferences.
The Surgical Procedure for Dental Implants
For most patients, the placement of dental implants involves two surgical procedures. First, implants are placed within your jawbone. For the first three to six months following surgery, the implants are beneath the surface of the gums gradually bonding with the jawbone. You should be able to wear temporary dentures and eat a soft diet during this time. At the same time, your dentist is forming new replacement teeth.
After the implant has bonded to the jawbone, the second phase begins. Drs. Schelkun and Sayles will uncover the implants and attach small posts or healing abutments which will act as anchors for the artificial teeth. These posts extend through the gum tissue. Your dentist may use these abutments or place different ones to attach crowns or teeth to the implants. The entire procedure usually takes five to eight months. Most patients experience minimal disruption in their daily life.