Implant Surgery
As we age, many of us will be faced with the prospect of losing our teeth. Some of us will lose teeth secondary to traumatic injury (i.e. contact sports, syncopal episodes, seizure disorders, etc.). Others will succumb to periodontal injuries. There has been increasing evidence to support the involvement of systemic illnesses in tooth loss.
Traditionally, those areas without teeth were restored to function using either: a bridge to connect with adjacent teeth, or through a denture. More recently, implants have given us an effective means of replacing teeth that are lost. An implant is a stand-alone titanium structure that can integrate with the jaw bone, providing a solid foundation to house a tooth-like structure atop itself.
- Implants are titanium alloys that will stand the test of time - a very robust metal that very closely mimics a real tooth.
- During the last 25 years, implants have become the standard of care, with predictable and reproducible results.
- The success rate of implants have been in the range of 95-99%.
Whether you have lost a single tooth or are further along requiring more complex procedures, replacing edentulous areas will help restore your ability to eat and speak appropriately, as well as restore your smile and esthetic appearance.
Bone Grafting
Sometimes not enough bone exists to house an implant. Without sufficient bone, an implant will not be stable, and tends to fail under pressure. In those instances, the bone must be returned to a reasonable level before placing an implant. This can be achieved using relatively simple techniques. Some of the techniques used are:
- Sinus Lift
- Ridge Splitting
- Vertical Ridge Augmentation using Mini-screws
- Sandwich Osteotomies
- Distraction Osteogenesis
- Autogenous Harvesting (Ramus, Chin, Coronoid, Tuberosity, Hip, Tibia)
It is ideal to place an implant as early as possible to minimize bone regression, thereby avoiding the need for extensive bone grafting. However, once bone loss has occurred, there still remains viable options.
