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Q: What are dental implants?
Dental implants are medically pure metal devices that are placed into the jawbone. They act as an anchor to provide a solid base for artificial tooth replacement. Implants can secure a crown for one tooth (Fig 1), a bridge for several missing teeth, can replace a removable partial denture (Fig 3a,b) to secure a full upper or lower denture (Fig 2a,b) and it is even used during orthodontic treatment.
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| Fig 1: Two crowns over implants replacing upper lateral incisors. |
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Fig 2a: Two implants imbeddded into lower jaw. |
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Fig 2b: Two rubber O rings securing a full lower denture. |
Q: How can I benefit from implants?
Patients state that they eat better, eat foods that had been denied them with dentures, are more comfortable when they eat, and don't have to use "guck" to retain their dentures. They also say they can talk and laugh without feeling self conscious and without fear of their dentures slipping out. All these improvements make people with dentures feel better about themselves, increasing their self-confidence while improving their social and business lives. Implants are well known for their ability to stop bone loss and maintain facial skeletal structure. A missing tooth can be replaced without damaging adjacent teeth.
Q: What is the best way to improve my lower denture?
Dentures rely on suction to hold them in place. Lower dentures tend to float, allow food and seeds under them while eating, cause sore spots and seem to need more stabilization than upper dentures. By placing as few as 2 implants in the lower jaw and attaching the denture with rubber O rings, implants can secure the denture preventing it from causing all problems associated with the lower denture (Fig 2a,b).
Q: What can I do about my partial denture?
As many as 50% of partial denture wearers are unable to comfortably wear a removable partial denture. Patients complain of the metal bar across the palate or behind the lower teeth. They also feel that the retaining clasps decay the neighbouring teeth. Implants can eliminate the clasps and the connecting bar and even allow you to have a fixed bridge instead of a removable denture.
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| Fig 3a: Two rubber O rings securing a removable partial denture. |
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Fig 3b: Two implants holding partial replacing all upper left teeth. |
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Q: How do implants compare with dentures?
A survey conducted in Sweden of patients who had their teeth extracted and fitted with dentures, then eventually had their dentures replaced with implants rated their natural teeth highest at 10, dentures rated lowest at 2 and implants were rated 9.
Q: Will I need an implant for each tooth?
No! You normally do not need an implant for each missing tooth. In the majority of situations, only 1 or 2 implants are required. Much depends upon the amount of bone available and the type of restoration needed to replace the missing teeth. A dentist trained in the Simpler Implant System can provide you with a proper consultation to bring about the best treatment alternatives available to meet your present budget.
Q: How long will my implants last?
There are few things in life that last a lifetime and dental implants are no different. The experienced implant dentist expects success rates in excess of 98%. Should a problem arise, it normally does during the first six months to a year following surgery, during the period of bone healing. After this period, problems appear to be less frequent, with only occasional bite adjustments required.
Q: What is special about the Simpler System?
The Simpler System was the first Canadian implant system to receive approvals in Canada and the USA more than 13 years ago. It was developed by Dr. Harold Bergman, a specialist Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon. Dr. Bergman has been involved in dentistry for 46 years, over 40 years as a specialist and more than 35 years placing and restoring implants. The Simpler System has:
- World Wide Approvals with FDA compliance in the USA, Health Canada compliance and European Community compliance
- The Highest Quality Control in the World with ISO 13485: 2003 and exceeds the quality control standards both for Canada and the USA
- It is Simple and Cost Effective using techniques familiar to most dentists.
- The surgery is Atraumatic developed by an international reknown specialist oral surgeon.
- Uses Accredited Clinicians who have passed stringent educational standards.
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Q: Am I too old to have implants?
The oldest patient Dr. Bergman has treated was 92 years young and the youngest 15. Patients healthy enough to undergo a routine dental extraction are healthy enough to have dental implants placed. Few diseases contra-indictate the placement of implants . One of these is uncontrolled diabetes.
Q: Will I have enough bone?
Although a radiograph is necessary to evaluate the amount of bone present, most patients have enough bone for the placement of implants. Sometimes in the upper, posterior of the mouth and the lower, posterior jaw insufficient bone will necessitate the placement of a bone graft before implants are placed.
Q: Will I be hospitalized?
Rarely is this needed. As I mentioned before most procedures
are equivalent to a tooth extraction and are performed in the
dental chair under local anaesthetic (freezing).
Q: Will I experience much discomfort?
The discomfort experienced after the placement of implants is generally equivalent to that experienced from the extraction of a tooth. Most implants are placed using local anaesthetic only. Sedation can be used with the more apprehensive patients and occasionally, if extensive surgery is required, a general anaesthetic may be recommended. The procedures used in the placement of implants are designed to help you avoid pain and discomfort.
Q: How long will the entire process take?
The entire process typically involves 2 or 3 trips to the dentist over a 4 to 5 month period. During that time period the patient is only in the dental chair for about 45 minutes each visit.
Q: How long do I have to wait before resuming normal activity?
In most cases, you can resume normal activities the day following the placement of your implant. In those cases where extensive surgery is performed, you may require 3 or 4 days to resume normal activity.
Q: Can I get implants if I am fearful?
Yes, it is normal to have some level of anxiety towards dentists. Most dental fears are related to an early experience during our childhood. Today's dental practices are capable of assisting you in dealing with those fears to enable you to have the opportunity to improve your overall physical health and appearance.
Q: How do I choose the best dentist?
If I were having implants placed, I would want someone with experience and good judgement. I would ask how long the dentist has been placing and restoring implants, how many implants had they placed, their success rate (not that quoted by the manufacturer), and if they had any patients to talk with. If in doubt, get a second and even a third opinion.
Q: What kind of foods can I eat with implants?
Implants will allow you to enjoy foods like corn, nuts and apples that you may have avoided for years. Implant supported dentures and bridges can triple your biting force allowing you to eat any hard food that your original teeth were once able to do.
Q: What do implants cost?
The fee for the placement and the fabrication of the overlying prosthesis (crown, bridge, denture) varies from one provider to another. Obviously, the more implants that are required, the more the cost. In many practices, a sliding scale of fees is offered in that the more implants that are placed, the less the cost per implant. Another factor in cost is the type of replacement that is required to bring you the best esthetic and functional result. In many cases involving dentures, the patient's existing denture can be used. . You will be informed of the total treatment fee at your initial consultation. All dental implants are tax deductible.
Q: Does dental insurance cover the cost?
Coverages of each dental plan vary from plan to plan. As a general rule, all plans cover the initial consultation, radiographs and any other planning costs. In Canada, only a few plans pay for the placement of implants although in the USA, many plans now provide coverage. Most insurance plans cover a percentage of the crowns, bridges and dentures over implants. However, it is usually wise to obtain a pre-approval from the insurance company.
Don't miss out on many of life's pleasures. Simpler Implants can allow you to;
- Eat better
- Look better
- Feel better
- Be more comfortable
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