Dental Implants

Dr. Graham believes dental implants are the best choice for most patients; they are long lasting, natural in appearance, and promote jaw health.  By working in tandem with your dentist, he hopes to maximize your oral health for a lifetime. 

One of his highest priorities is ensuring you are comfortable and well informed regarding your treatment.  He will discuss all options for tooth replacement to help you arrive at the best solution for your individual lifestyle and concerns.  Please do not hesitate to voice any questions or concerns you may have.

Replacing a Missing Tooth

A natural tooth is anchored into the jawbone by its tooth root. Tooth roots attach firmly to the jawbone and keep your teeth stable when chewing solid foods.

Traditionally, if you were missing a tooth or if one needed to be extracted, the healthy teeth on either side of the missing tooth would be cut down and replaced with a three-unit "bridge."

Dental implants are the modern alternative. Instead of cutting down two perfectly healthy teeth, Dr. Graham inserts a dental implant into the jawbone to replace your missing tooth root. The implant becomes solidly fixed into your jaw bone (osseointegration). Your general dentist then places a crown onto this artificial tooth root that looks, feels, and functions like your natural tooth.

Quite simply, dental implants are the most natural replacement for missing teeth.

Replacing Several Missing Teeth

Dental Implant Supported Dentures are firmly anchored to the jawbone. This helps to prevent bone loss and mimics the feel of natural teeth.

Traditionally, several missing teeth would have been replaced with a removable partial or full denture.

Dentures have to be taken out and soaked at night. During the day, they can also look unnatural and rub painfully. Dentures and partials make it difficult or impossible to eat certain foods.

Dental implants can now be used to anchor partial and full dentures. This prevents the slipping, irritation, and pain associated with "floating" partials and dentures. It also prevents the tedious removal of dentures for overnight soaking and cleaning. Dental implants also eliminate the need for denture adhesives. This allows you to enjoy eating the foods you previously avoided. With dental implants, your partials or dentures are firmly anchored to the jawbone, allowing them to feel much more like natural teeth.

Natural tooth roots and dental implant posts are fixed firmly in your jawbone. When you chew, these tooth roots and posts stimulate the jawbone and prevent it from shrinking. You may have seen a person who looked prematurely old because their jawbone had shrunk after wearing floating dentures. Dental implants help preserve your jawbone and appearance.

The Success Rate of Dental Implants

After their healing period, the success rate of dental implants is between 94% and 98%. If you are a non-smoker with good oral hygiene, the percentage is closer to 98%.

Does the Procedure Hurt?

Dentures can cause bone loss, due to lack of stimulation.

The discomfort involved with receiving a dental implant is similar to that of having a cavity filled. It is done under local anesthesia and patients generally experience little discomfort after the procedure.

How Long Will Dental Implants Last?

Dental implants become fixed to the jawbone. Though the life span of a dental implant will vary with each patient, many have lasted for over 50 years. With good oral hygiene and regular cleanings, dental implants should last a lifetime. In contrast, the average life span of a traditional fixed bridge is between 10-15 years.

Bone Regeneration

A critical question in determining whether an implant can be placed is, "Is there enough bone to support the implant?" Fortunately, advanced bone regeneration techniques now make it possible to place many more implants than just 10 years ago. For more information on bone regeneration, please see the articles on Bone Grafting and Sinus Grafting for Implants.

Am I a Candidate for Dental Implants?

Dental implant treatment begins with an evaluation by your general dentist who will determine if you are a good candidate for this procedure. If they feel dental implants might be possible, they will refer you to Dr. Graham for an examination and consultation.

For More Information

The following sites will provide you with more information on dental implants:

• Straumann Implant System
• MissingTeeth.org website for the Institute for Dental Implant Awareness (IDIA).
• Academy of Osseointegration - Frequently Asked Questions
• American Academy of Periodontology Article:
  Dental Implants: Teeth That Look and Feel Like Your Own
• American Dental Association - Implants