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Am
I a candidate for dental implants?
If
you are missing one or more teeth, then you may be a candidate
for dental implants. A candidate for dental implants should
be in a good state of health. You should inform your dentist
of any systemic illness or condition that may adversely
affect healing. Conditions such as diabetes may not prevent
you from having dental implant surgery provided that the
disease is being treated successfully. Any concerns that
you may have regarding your medical history should be
discussed with your dentist at the consultation appointment.A
candidate for dental implants should have enough high
quality bone to support the implant(s). When a tooth is
lost, the surrounding bone begins to change and may slowly
disappear. This slow process is called resorption. If
the amount of resorption is slight, then a dental implant
may be placed into the bone. However, if the amount of
resorption is too great, there may be insufficient bone
available to support the implant and bone grafting may
be required prior to implant surgery. At the consultation
appointment, a complete examination will be performed
and you will be informed of the condition of your bone
and the options you have with regard to dental implants.Also
if you are an inveterate paan or paan parag eater, less
than good at maintaining oral hygeine,you should'nt consider
implants.
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What
is the success rate of dental implants?
This
depends very much on where the implants are placed and
what they will be called upon to do. The best case scenario
is the placement of implants in the front portion of the
lower jaw. Here success can be as high as 98-100%.According
to figures that we have today, the success of implants
in the front part of the upper jaw are anywhere from 90-95%.
Success rates of implants in the back part of the upper
and lower jaw can be in the 85-90% range.
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Why
have dental implants become so popular?
As
our lifespan increases, the need for some type of permanent
dental replacement system becomes very important to our
overall health. Dentures and removable bridges have obvious
problems: They are loose and unstable. Implants can provide
people with dental replacements that are both functional
and esthetic. The demand was always there, we just needed
the tools to fulfill that demand.
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How
long after a dental implant is placed can it be used to
anchor my new teeth?
The
protocol that was originally developed clearly states
that we must wait four months before we can begin to construct
the new dental prosthesis that will be supported by the
implants. In recent years, however, there has been a movement
within the profession to sort of speed up this process.
Today we believe that it is possible in selected patients
to accelerate the healing time. We are even loading implants
in very specific situations right away.
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Does
it hurt to have dental implants placed?
The
actual procedure to surgically place a dental implant
is done under local anesthesia and is generally not at
all painful. When the anesthesia wears off about three
or four hours later, you might expect some discomfort.
The level of discomfort is quite different from patient
to patient, but most patients do not have significant
problems. Some patients do have varying degrees of pain
or discomfort which may last for several days. Swelling
and black & blueing may also develop.
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Do
I have to go without my teeth & while the implants
are bonding to my jaw bone?
Once
again, the original protocol called for patients to go
without wearing their dentures for at least two weeks
after implant placement. Over the years, this has been
modified considerably and in most situations, patients
leave the office wearing their teeth the day the implants
are placed. Every patient and procedure is evaluated separately
and there might occasionally be a recommendation that
a patient go without their prosthesis for a short period
of time.
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What
Exactly Does the Dental Implant Procedure Involve?
First,
you will need to discuss your options with your Dr.Kothari.
Together, it will be decided if you are a good candidate
for dental implants. We will then take a complete dental
history, x-rays, and complete a thorough oral examination.
If you are a candidate for implant surgery, the procedure
is as follows:
1. Surgical placement of the implant(s) into the bone.
This is usually done right in the dentist's office, with
a local anesthetic. After surgery, there is a healing
period of approximately four months. During this time,
the implants fuse to the bone by a process known as 'osseointegration'.
2. Next, there is a minor surgical exposure of the top
of the implant, whereby the dentist will attach the post
to the implant. The function of the post is to become
the support for either one tooth or a set of teeth. This
is a short procedure that usually requires only local
anesthesia.
3. The last phase is the restorative phase. The dentist
will take impressions and then make a prosthesis that
will attach to the implants. This will require several
visits. Once completed, your mouth will be restored to
natural looking, strong teeth.
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