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(Dr. Anthony Navilio) Dental Implants
(Dr. Anthony Navilio) Dental Implants
DENTAL IMPLANTS
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A NEW SMILE
Its no fun when youre missing teeth. You may not feel www.allislam.net comfortable eating or speaking. You might even avoid smiling in public. Fortunately, dental implants can help. Implants can replace a single tooth, several teeth, or all the teeth in your mouth. Best of all, they look and feel like natural teeth.
If you want a dental restoration that looks and feels as though its really part of your mouth, dental implants may be right for you. A dental implant is an artificial tooth root. Your jawbone fuses with the implant to provide a secure platform for a prosthesis (artificial tooth). If you are missing many teeth, several implants can be used to support a partial or complete denture.
Osseointegration occurs when bone fuses with the implant. This provides a solid base for the prosthesis.
This booklet is not intended as a substitute for professional dental care. 2003 The StayWell Company, 1100 Grundy Lane, San Bruno, CA 94066-3030. www.krames.com 800-333-3032. All rights reserved. Lithographed in Canada.
Working Together
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Throughout the implant process youll work closely with a dental team. Part of the team prepares your jaw and surgically places the implant. Others build and adjust the prosthesis. Your surgeon may be an oral surgeon, periodontist, or a general dentist skilled in dental implant procedures. Your restorative dentist may be a prosthodontist or general dentist.
Table of Contents
Your Dental Evaluation ....................... 4 Forming a Treatment Plan.............. 6 The Right Prosthesis for You.......... 8
It takes teamwork to make dental implants a success.
Upper jaw The widths of the lower and upper jaw ridges are measured. The height of each jawbone is measured.
Lower jaw
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Tell your surgeon what you hope implants will do for you.
Panoramic x-rays show all the teeth and bone in your mouth.
Bone from the jaw (gray areas) may be grafted to a site where it is needed.
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Your surgeon will explain any treatments that may be needed before implants can be placed.
Bridge
A bridge may be an alternative to an implant. The supporting teeth are shaped to hold the bridge.
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Fixed Prosthesis
With a fixed prosthesis, the new teeth are fitted to a frame that is secured to the implants. Five or more implants are placed along the contour of the jaw. In some cases, a fixed prosthesis offers more stability for chewing.
Incision
Hole in bone
Implant
Abutment
Making the Incision A small opening is made in the gum to expose the jawbone. This allows the surgeon to prepare the bone.
Preparing the Bone A precise hole is slowly and gently drilled into the jawbone. The size of the hole depends on the size of the implant.
Placing the Implant The implant is twisted or gently tapped into position. Then the incision is closed with stitches. In some cases, abutments are placed at the same time as implants.
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After Surgery
When your surgery is over, you may rest a while. But you can go home as soon as you feel able. Be aware that a certain amount of swelling and minor bleeding is normal. To speed your recovery, be sure to follow your surgeons instructions. You may be told to: Drink only clear liquids for the rest of the day. Take pain medications and antibiotics. Avoid putting pressure on your jaw. Eat soft foods for the first few days as your mouth begins to heal. Avoid wearing your temporary prosthesis or denture for a certain amount of time.
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Help the healing process. Keep your teeth and gums clean.
Follow-up Care
It often takes a few months for jawbone to firmly attach to implants. During that time, youll have several follow-up visits with your surgeon. This is to see how well your jaw is healing. If you wear a denture, you may also visit your restorative dentist. He or she may put a new lining in your denture for greater comfort.
PLACING ABUTMENTS
Abutments are connecting pieces that join the prosthesis to the www.allislam.net implants. They also help gum tissue heal around the implant site. In certain cases, abutments may be placed at the same time as implants. More often, though, surgery to place abutments is done after the jawbone has fused to the implants. This second surgery usually takes less time than the first.
Incision
Final abutment
Exposing the Implant If you have a second surgery to place abutments, a small incision is first made in the gum tissue.
Placing Healing Cuffs In many cases, a healing cuff (also called a healing abutment) is temporarily secured to the implant.
Placing Final Abutments When gums have healed, the final abutment is placed. The top of the abutment sticks out just above the gum line.
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A Custom Fit
To custom-fit the prosthesis, your restorative dentist will make impressions (molds) of your jaws, teeth, and abutments. Bite registrations are also made to see how your teeth fit together. These molds are used to create a model of your mouth. Your new prosthesis is then made from this model.
Prosthesis
A mold of your teeth takes just a few minutes to make. The Prosthesis in Place The crown may be screwed or cemented to the abutment. In some cases, the crown and abutment are a single unit.
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Removable Prosthesis
Fixed Prosthesis
Remove the prosthesis and brush it inside and out. Also brush your gums and abutments while the prosthesis is out of your mouth.
Brush the top and back of a fixed prosthesis as if you were brushing natural teeth. Brush your gums and abutments, too.
Flossing Daily
Flossing is important because it cleans areas a toothbrush cant reach. Floss between your teeth and around your prosthesis at least once a day. For best results, you should also floss up and down along the abutments.
With a fixed prosthesis, floss the abutments from the front, sides, and back.
Rx
Foam-coated floss and an interdental brush can help clean abutments.
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An electric toothbrush can make it easier to clean your prosthesis and abutments.
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A WINNING SMILE
It takes time and effort to make dental implants successful. So commit yourself to the care of your mouth. Brush www.allislam.net and floss, and see your dental team for checkups. That way, you can keep smiling with comfort and confidence.
Resources
American Dental Association 312-440-2593 www.ada.org American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons 888-467-5268 www.aaoms.org American Academy of Periodontology 800-356-7736 www.perio.org American Academy of Implant Dentistry 877-335-2243 www.aaid-implant.org American College of Prosthodontists www.prosthodontics.org
Consultants: Carl M. Block, DDS, FASO, Periodontics/Implant Dentistry Richard A. Smith, DDS, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery With contributions by: Kevin McLaughlin, DMD, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Gregory E. Oxford, DDS, MS, PhD, Periodontics David Richards, DDS, PhD, Periodontics Stephen F. Rosenstiel, BDS, MSD, Prosthodontics
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