Dental implants are titanium posts surgically placed in the jaw to replace missing teeth and serve as anchors for crowns or dentures, offering a stable and aesthetic alternative to traditional dentures. The procedure generally involves minimal discomfort and can significantly improve chewing ability and reduce bone loss. Patients typically do not have to go without their dentures, as modern implants have a quick healing process, allowing for restoration within 8-10 weeks.

1. Restoring the Confidence of Your Natural Smile Replacing Missing Teeth With Dental Implants

2. Q: What are dental implants? A: Dental implants are made from titanium. They are surgically placed into jaws in an in-office procedure. They may be used to replace one tooth or multiple missing teeth.

3. What Are Dental Implants? Dental implants are an alternative to dentures or bridgework for replacing teeth The dental implant is made from titanium and is surgically implanted in the jaw bone. An implant functions like the root of your missing tooth Implants are usually placed in a dental office, using only local anesthesia. Generally, there is minimal post-operative pain or discomfort.

4. A porcelain crown is fabricated and cemented to the tooth preparation A tooth in need of a crown is prepared to receive a crown A natural tooth in the jawbone

5. An abutment is attached to the implant A porcelain crown is fabricated and attached to the abutment An implant is placed in the jawbone

6. An implant is placed in bone and covered with a protective cap while it is allowed to heal. Depending on the amount of bone, the clinician may need to perform additional procedures to build up the bone.

7. After healing, the implant is anchored in the bone. An abutment is attached to the implant. The abutment functions as the core for the replacement tooth. The abutment can be adjusted and shaped to allow the replacement tooth or crown to blend in and function with the adjacent teeth.

8. Full Upper or Lower Tooth Replacement In many cases, five or six implants are needed to permanently anchor a full upper or lower denture, although more may be required depending on bone quantity or quality Removable dentures held in place by implants may eliminate the need for dental adhesives Unlike adhesive retained dentures, implant retained dentures stay secure during eating

9. Bone Loss Is The Enemy As the jaw bones shrink, wearing dentures becomes progressively more difficult.

11. Bone Loss Is The Enemy Every denture patient may be a potential candidate for dental implants.

12. Implant Supported Fixed Denture The supporting implants are generally placed toward the front of the mouth. Here, the bone is more dense. Implants generally have the highest success rates in the front part of the lower jaw. Implants in place immediately after surgical placement. Protective caps have been placed. Patient is ready to go home.

13. Dental implants generally require approximately 2 months to bond with the bone. The implants are then securely anchored into the jaw bone. Abutments are then attached to the implants. The denture is then attached to the abutments which support the denture. The denture is NOT removable by the patient. If necessary, the dentist will be able to remove the denture. The denture is designed so that the patient will be able to keep the abutments and undersurface of the denture clean.

14. Implant Supported Removable Denture For removable dentures, the implants may support a bar that connects the implants together. The denture is then snapped on and off the bar. This allows the denture to be removed for cleaning. Although the denture is removable, it remains firmly attached during normal functions, including eating and talking. Whether the denture is fixed or removable, the final denture is nearly indistinguishable from natural teeth.

15. Implant Supported Removable Dentures In many cases, implants do not have to be connected together. Abutments that contain retentive elements can be placed directly into the implants. Patient missing all of her lower teeth. She is unable to wear a lower denture.

16. X-ray of lower jaw. X-ray of lower jaw with implants in place. 2 months after the implants were placed, the patient is ready to have the attachments connected to the implants.

17. Attachments in place on implants, ready for the denture to snap in. Implant supported removable denture may provide excellent aesthetics, pronunciation and function.

18. Q: Will the procedure hurt? A: There is generally minimal discomfort associated with the implant placement. It is usually done in the office with local anesthesia.

19. “ I was very surprised as to how comfortable I felt immediately after the anesthetic wore off. I did not even need to take any of the pain pills the doctor prescribed.” Mrs. C.H., LaCrosse, WI Implants have been placed. Patient is ready to leave the office.

20. Q: How will dental implants help me wear a denture or fixed bridge? Dental implants will provide anchorage (retention) so the dentures will actually snap into place. With dental implants you should be able to chew with more force because the implants will not allow the denture to pinch your gums while chewing hard foods. Your denture should be more stable because implants dramatically reduce continued bone loss. A: Dental implants are helpful in several ways:

21. The facial impact of tooth loss and bone resorption collapsed facial profiles sunken lips increased wrinkles around the mouth pointed chin and nose that appear too close

22. X-rays Demonstrate Significant Bone Loss Bone loss is reduced around the implants.

23. Multiple Tooth Replacement Dental implants are strong, and bond with bone so well, that one implant may not be needed for each tooth being replaced Your dentist will determine how many implants will be needed in each individual case

24. Implants used to support a bridge are placed and allowed to bond with the surrounding bone in the same manner as a single tooth implant.

25. When the implant is securely anchored in the bone, the healing abutments are removed and final abutments are attached to the implants. The final abutments function as the core of the replacement teeth that are attached directly to the implants.

26. The bridge is designed to be affixed to the implants. The result is an aesthetic appearance that mimics natural teeth, with similar function. There are no unsightly metal hooks or clasps.

27. Q: Do dental implants work? A: Dental implants are generally highly successful. Success rates as high as 99% have been reported by noted researchers from around the world.

28. Poor bone quality negatively affects the success of dental implants Bryant SR. Int J Prosthodont 1998; 11: 470-490 In threaded titanium implants, high failure rates are associated with poor bone quality Sennerby et al., J Prosthodont 1998; 11: 408-420 The Reality in 1980’s and early 1990’s:

29. The Reality Today

30. Q: How long will dental implants last? A: Depending on the specific case, dental implants can last for many years. On occasion, the implants, artificial teeth or crowns may need to be replaced.

31. Q: What will two dental implants supporting an overdenture do for me? A: They should increase your ability to chew. You should be able to eat healthier foods including fruits and vegetables and less processed foods. They should increase your confidence relative to being sure that your denture will not “slip” and cause embarrassment.

32. Q: What will two dental implants supporting an overdenture do for me? A: Bone loss should be minimized on a long-term basis. The negative facial effects of aging and being without teeth should be decreased.

33. Q: How long will the entire implant treatment process take? A: The process has been accelerated since dental implants were introduced into the United States in the early 1980’s. Treatments involving both implant and restorative phases can be accomplished in as little as 8-10 weeks.

34. Graphical Protocol Comparison – Upper Jaw 3i Advantage 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 System TM One Stage Two Stage Time In Weeks Initial healing Secondary healing Temporary Fabrication

35. Graphical Protocol Comparison - Lower Jaw 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 One Stage Two Stage Time In Weeks 3i Advantage System™ Initial healing Secondary healing Temporary Fabrication

36. Q: Will I ever have to be without my dentures? A: In most cases, the answer is NO! Patients generally leave the surgical office with a soft liner in their pre-existing denture.

37. 21 st Century Dental implants are successful after only 2 months of healing* * Lazzara, Porter, Testori, Galante J., Zetterqvist L. A Prospective Multicenter Study Evaluating Loading of OSSEOTITE ® Implants Two Months After Placement: One-Year Study Results. J Esthetic Dent 10(6):280, 1998.

38. Transitions in Implant Dentistry Q: How long do I have to wear a partial denture for my front tooth? A: 1980’s - A long time!! A: 2003 – By placing a dental implant, you will not have to wear a partial denture!!

39. Patient lost this front tooth several years ago. She has been wearing a partial denture to replace her missing tooth.

40. In just one day: Patient had a dental implant placed, an abutment placed onto the implant and a provisional crown placed onto the abutment.

41. Eight weeks later: Porcelain crown was cemented to the abutment.