Dental implants used to be thought of as a 'last resort' treatment for people who could not get on with their dentures. We see it differently; for most of our patients, we now consider dental implants to be the standard of care approach to replacing missing teeth, for nearly any situation. They are the ideal solution for denture sufferers and people with missing teeth, offering a fixed and stable foundation onto which crowns or bridgework can be attached and supported. With care and attention, these new restorations look, feel and perform like natural teeth.
A variety of tooth replacement protocols and implant supported treatments are offered at Portland Perio Implant Center. Depending on the number and location of the missing teeth or planned dental extraction, a majority of patients can expect immediate implant tooth replacement the same day as the extraction. The number of implants is dependent on the location and number of teeth missing as well as the type of prosthesis planned. Some of the tooth replacement options include teeth-in-day® implants placement at the time of extraction, single tooth implant-supported crowns, and multiple teeth implant-supported bridges, If all your teeth are missing and you already wear a denture, or your remaining teeth are planned for removal for a variety of reasons, then we offer implant-retained removable over-dentures and full mouth implant reconstruction with fixed bridges.
Single Tooth Implant-Supported Crowns
Replacing a single missing tooth with a dental implant is a conservative treatment. A single implant is very similar to your own natural tooth root, which means it is not necessary to drill adjacent teeth to create a bridgework support as would be traditionally done. If you feel that your smile is unaffected by the tooth loss, the reasons for filling a gap go beyond cosmetic ones. A missing tooth left untreated can have negative effects on your dental health over time and a replacement may become more challenging. A missing tooth can have a measurable impact on your life. Whether you start feeling self-conscious about your teeth and start to miss your favorite foods which become uncomfortable to eat, or you begin experiencing physical effects like muscle strains and headaches, it can be surprising how big a different missing one small tooth can make.
The loss of a tooth could be caused by many different reasons: tooth decay, infection, gum disease, trauma, or removal of an impacted tooth. A single dental implant is the most functional secure replacement for a missing tooth, allowing you to eat, smile and laugh with confidence. A single titanium implant is placed into the jaw, which functions as the replacement root. It’s a straightforward process which can be completed under local anesthetic. The implant will need three months to heal and integrate with your jaw bone to provide a solid support for your replacement tooth.
A temporary crown is usually fitted at the same time as your implant placement, which will stay in place until the final restoration appointment. Once your implant has integrated, an abutment will be fixed to the implant to hold your replacement tooth (crown) in place. Abutments are produced in titanium, gold or porcelain, and can come as a standard fit or custom fabricated specifically for your case. These options offer a range of outstanding esthetic results, depending on your requirements. A crown is then fitted on top, to replace your missing tooth.
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Multiple Teeth Implants
Groups of missing teeth can be replaced with an implant-supported bridgework. For example, two implants can support a bridge replacing three to four teeth. If the missing teeth are in an area of the mouth where the biting forces are heavy, more implants may be added and a larger bridge may be required. If you have more than one tooth missing it can often seem like a larger problem but there is always something that can be done. We can often combine dental bridges and implants to create a simple solution
Dental implants can be used to securely anchor replacement teeth, leaving you with a new smile that looks and feels so natural, you will forget the teeth are not your own. Each missing tooth does not necessarily require an individual implant to replace it. Often a more stable and cost-effective approach is to place an implant at either end of the 'tooth gap' and bridge across the implants with a dental bridge. The chewing function is then restored with a minimum number of implants.
Traditional bridge treatments require dentists to file down the neighboring healthy teeth to attach the bridge in place. Dental implant technology alleviates the need to damage these healthy teeth, instead anchors your bridge to implants, and bonds with your jaw.
The implant itself is a titanium screw placed into the jaw to replace an original root. It’s a straightforward process which can be completed under local anesthetic. The implant will need three to six months to heal and bond with your jaw bone to provide a solid support for your replacement tooth.
Temporary replacement teeth are usually fitted at the same time as your implant placement, which will stay in place until the final restoration is done in our office. Once your jaw has healed, an abutment will be fixed to the implant to hold your replacement teeth (crown or bridge) in place. Abutments are produced in titanium, gold, or porcelain, and can come as a standard fit or crafted specifically for you. These options offer a range of esthetic results, depending on your requirements.
Crowns or a dental bridge are then fitted on top, to replace your missing teeth. We will carefully match the color of your crown to your natural teeth.
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Full case study coming soon.
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Replacement of failing teeth and restorations with implant-retained bridges
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Replacement of teeth with severe periodontal bone loss with dental implants
Immediate Dental Implants
When a front tooth breaks it’s a traumatic experience not just because of the pain. The embarrassment of suddenly having an unsightly gap is something people understandably want to address as soon as possible. The situation can be predictably managed by removing the fractured root, inserting a dental implant and having a temporary resin tooth manufactured on the same day and fitted.
First, we take three-dimensional bone scans of the area to check if there is adequate bone to support the implant. If there is adequate bone, an implant can be placed right away, you do not have to wait for your bone to fuse with the titanium surface of the implant. When placing immediate implants there is often no need to cut the gum and therefore no need for any stitches. Most patients report no swelling and minimal discomfort after surgery. If you have suffered a broken front tooth please contact our office to discuss whether you are suitable for immediate dental implants.
Same Day Teeth
If you are unfortunate enough to lose all of your teeth then your quality of life and self-esteem will be drastically affected. While dentures are a quick, simple solution, many people find them to be less than favorable. Teeth-in-a-day is a process where patients can have implants placed and fully functioning teeth attached in the space of one day.
Traditional implant procedures require between three and six months between placing an implant and restoration with the final replacement teeth. This ensures that following placement, the area completely heals and the implant bonds with the jaw before it bears any load from the permanent replacement teeth. During this time, temporary restorations are often provided to ensure you are not left with any gaps.
With the latest technological advances, it is now possible to place an implant and restore with the fixed temporary replacement crown, bridge, or dentures immediately, ensuring you can walk out of the clinic with your new smile in one day. The same day smile restoration can be used to replace a single tooth, multiple teeth, or to anchor a complete set in a fixed, non-removable fashion.
The treatment is simple and fast, and there is no need to wear a removable denture.
Why would you want same day teeth?
- Be more confident with your smile
- Never be without teeth
- Have reduced anxiety levels with your appearance
- Be more confident in business and social situations
The Same-Day Teeth Procedure
Diagnostics
We will take an X-ray and make an impression of your jaw to produce an exact copy as a study model. If required, a CT scan may be taken to help visualize and diagnose the jaws in 3D, to ensure there is enough bone to place the dental implants. This will also establish where your nerves and other vital anatomical structures are in relation to the intended position of the implants.
Implant Placement
Provisional Restoration: On the day of implant placement, a temporary crown is retrofitted to the implant chair side so you will leave with a non-removable, fixed crown attached to the implant.
Permanent Restoration: After the 3 month healing period, the final or permanent restoration will be fabricated.
The final solution can include both removable and fixed prostheses. The fixed solution will include an implant bridge with porcelain or acrylic crowns cemented to the framework of the bridge. The removable solutions include over-dentures on an implant bar that is attached by a variety of attachment systems.
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Check back later for photos of final crowns.
