Dental
Implants
What are Dental Implants?
A dental implant is a screw- or cylinder-shaped replacement for a
missing tooth. The implant is placed in the jaw bone under the gums and
a tooth-like cap (or crown) is then fabricated and connected to the
implant to replace the missing tooth.
How do Dental Implants work?
The implant plays the role of the tooth's root by anchoring the cap into
the jaw bone.
In order for an implant to succeed, it must be as stable as possible in
the bone during the healing process which occurs in the months following
the implantation. This will enable the bone to join with the implant
correctly. This process is called Osseointegration.
Will I have a tooth immediately after the implantation?
If the dentist decides that the implant is stable enough immedia tely
after he has placed it in the jaw bone, he can mount the cap on the
implant at this time. This is called Immediate Loading of the implant.
However, if joining the cap to the implant immediately following the
implantation might compromise the stability of the implant during the
healing process (because of chewing forces destabilizing the implant),
the dentist will stitch the gums over the implant without mounting the
cap. This will allow the bone to heal undisturbed. When a sufficient
period of time has passed, the implant can be connected to the
tooth-shaped cap. This is called Delayed Loading.
Is
the implantation painful?
The first stage of the implantation is local anesthesia, same as for a
filling. Once the gums are numb, you don't feel any discomfort during
the procedure.
The dentist has to prepare the implantation site using a relatively slow
drill. This may feel to some like an annoying tapping sensation but is
quite painless.
How does the dentist place the implant?
After anesthetizing the area, the next step is to penetrate the gums to
reach the bone beneath. This can be achieved with a scalpel incision,
laser or elecrosurgery.
Using a series of specialized drills, the dentist then prepares an exact
cavity in the jaw bone into which the dental implant fits tightly. Most
implants today are screw-like, and are screwed into the prepared cavity
either using a hand-held or a motor driven wrench.
What will I feel after the implantation?
When the anesthesia wears off, you may feel some discomfort at the
implantation site. Some swelling may occur. Painkillers should be taken
to alleviate any pain and steroids may be supplemented for swelling,
although this is rarely required.
Your dentist may recommend antibiotics and mouth rinses for a few days
after the procedure to prevent infection. An especially complex
implantation may require a day or two of rest at home. Any
recommendations your dentist makes should be followed.
Implant brands we use
Porcelain Crowns
A crown is a permanent covering that fits over an original
tooth that is either decayed, damaged or cracked. Crowns are
made of a variety of different materials such as porcelain,
gold, acrylic resin or a mix of these materials.
Porcelain generally has the most natural appearance.
The illustration above indicates the different steps to
restore a tooth:
1) A tooth presents with a large cavity or broken portion of
tooth structure. This tooth is vulnerable to further decay
and fracture.
2) The dentist will 'prepare' or shape the tooth for a
crown. In preparing the tooth, the dentist will incorporate
resistance and retention features in order for the crown to
stay in place. These features vary in every tooth and are
determined by the type of bite you have. An impression of
the prepared tooth is taken and sent to a dental laboratory
for processing.
3) The crown is then fabricated in the dental laboratory
with instruction from the dentist such as type of crown and
shade or color of the tooth. The crown is then cemented in
place by the dentist. A temporary crown is placed while the
laboratory is constructing the crown.
Who is a candidate for Tooth Crowns?
Grinding your teeth, an improper bite, age, fillings and
tooth decay can all be contributing factors in the wearing
down, cracking or breakage of your teeth. Dental crowns
cover the entire visible surface of your affected tooth and
add strength, durability and tooth stability.
In other instances, crowns are used to replace a actual
missing tooth. These crowns are anchored to the teeth on
either side, with a bridge section connecting the two
crowns. Instead of bridges, single tooth dental implants may
be used that eliminate the need for supporting the crowns.
Will my dental crown look and feel natural?
A porcelain dental crown looks and feels exactly like a real
tooth, so nobody, including you, should be able to tell the
difference. If anything, your new dental crown will enhance
the look of your smile.
Advantages?
Dental crowns offer a big advantage over dental fillings
because they are fabricated "away from the mouth". As the
dental crown is made in the dental laboratory, the
technician can visualize and examine all aspects of bite and
jaw movements, from a variety of angles, and sculpt the
dental crown for a perfect anatomy. This ensures a great
deal of accuracy for comfort and fit.
Dental Veneers
Dental veneers (sometimes called porcelain veneers or dental
porcelain laminates) are wafer-thin, custom-made shellsof
tooth-colored materials designed to cover the front surface
of teeth to improve your appearance. These shells are bonded
to the front of the teeth changing their color, shape, size
or length.
Dental veneers can be made from porcelain or from resin
composite materials. Porcelain veneers resist stains better
than resin veneers and better mimic the light reflecting
properties of natural teeth. Resin veneers are thinner and
require removal of less of the tooth surface before
placement.
What Types of Problems Do Dental Veneers Fix?
Veneers are routinely used to fix:
1) Teeth that are discolored – either because of root canal
treatment; stains from tetracycline or other drugs,
excessive fluoride or other causes; or the presence of large
resin fillings that have discolored the tooth
2) Teeth that are worn down
3)Teeth that are chipped or broken
4) Teeth that are misaligned, uneven, or irregularly shaped
(for example, have craters or bulges in them)
5) Teeth with gaps between them (to close the space between
these teeth)
What Are the Advantages of Dental Veneers?
1) They provide a natural tooth appearance.
2) Gum tissue tolerates porcelain well.
3) Porcelain veneers are stain resistant.
4) The color of a porcelain veneer can be
selected such that it makes dark teeth
appear whiter.
5) Veneers offer a conservative approach to changing a
tooth's color and shape-
veneers generally don't require the extensive shaping prior
to the procedure that crowns do, yet offer a stronger, more
aesthetic alternative to bonding.
Do Dental Veneers Require Special Care?
No. Continue to follow good oral hygiene practices including
brushing and flossing as you normally would. Even though
porcelain veneers resist stains, your dentist may recommend
that you avoid stain-causing foods and beverages (for
example, coffee, tea or red wine).
Are There Alternatives to Dental Veneers?
Yes, bondings and Crown. Veneers offer a nice intermediate
option. Veneers may be best suited for individuals who want
to change the shape of their teeth more than just a little
bit-as is done with bonding-but not enough to require a
crown.
Root
Canal
Treatment
Once upon a time, if you had a tooth with a diseased nerve, you'd
probably lose that tooth. Today, with a special dental procedure called
a root canal therapy you may save that tooth.
Inside each tooth is the pulp which provides nutrients and nerves to the
tooth, it runs like a thread down through the root. When the pulp is diseased
or injured, the pulp tissue dies. If you don't remove it, your tooth
gets infected and you could lose it. After the dentist removes the pulp,
the root canal is cleaned and sealed off to protect it. Then your
dentist places a crown over the tooth to help make it stronger.
Most of the time, a root canal is a relatively simple procedure with
little or no discomfort involving one to three visits. Best of all, it
can save your tooth and your smile! |
of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD), when asked, “What satisfied you
least about your smile?” The number one
answer people gave was tooth color. Cosmetic dentistry
procedures such as tooth whitening can give your teeth a
brighter appearance, allowing you to smile with confidence.
