WHAT ARE IMPLANTS?

Dental implants are designed to provide the foundation for the restorative dentist to replace missing teeth to form and function. The patient has the ability to eat virtually anything. Facial contours and tooth space is also maintained by replacing missing teeth. Implants are fabricated of titanium posts, which are inserted surgically into the jawbone where the teeth are missing. There are many different types of implants and the determination is made upon examination and the degree of space, amount of remaining bone and individual choice of the dentist. You will be asked to read and sign a separate informed consent for this surgical procedure. Following implant surgery and healing, the implant fixture will be surgically uncovered in approximately 4 to 6 months. A temporary healing abutment will be place and remain in place until you gums have again healed. The treatment plan may need to be revised if any implant fixture has not healed successfully. You will be informed if any implant fixture has not healed successfully. The restorative phase of treatment will be done in this office. Treatment plan revisions due to your anatomy will be discussed at this time. The time frame of your treatment may change as well as the fee. A temporary prosthesis may be place for you while your implant prosthesis is being fabricated. This can either be a temporary crown or bridge, a complete denture of a removable partial denture. Any removable prosthesis will need to be periodically relined with tissue conditioners. Fixed and removable prosthodontic techniques will then be followed using standard materials. Your treatment plan may include:

Single Crown: These crowns may be made of gold, all porcelain or porcelain fused to metal. Porcelain on back teeth can be subject to fracture.

Implant Fixed Partial Denture (Bridge): Bridges have metal substructures to maintain strength. Porcelain or acrylic resin backed teeth can be subject to fracture. If this occurs, you will be responsible for the cost of replacing the porcelain, resin, or the crown.

Implant Overdenture: Attachments or bars will be used on your implants to retain your implant overdenture. Your implant overdenture may need relining over time.

All implant prostheses are expensive and difficult to maintain due to their nature and complexity. Attachment systems are subject to wear, fracture, and repair. Implant crowns, bridges, and bars may be secured to the implant fixtures in your jawbone by screws or cement. These screws can loosen or break. Tightening or replacing broken screws may be necessary.

All implant prostheses also need to be maintained for cleanliness and hygiene. You will be placed on a recall program within the office when your prosthesis is completed. At these visits you will receive a cleaning and a periodic examination.

If you have been referred to our office specifically for implant restoration we request you have at least a yearly follow-up in our office to evaluate the prosthesis.

Alternative Treatments To Implants May Be:

1. No treatment
2. A removable partial or complete denture
3. A fixed partial denture (crown or bridge)

For more information http://www.ada.org/public/topics/alpha.asp