Dental Implants

“Trust Your care to the Specialists in Jaw Surgery and Robotic Dental Implant Reconstruction” 

Dental implants area a revolutionary way to replace missing teeth. They can be life changing for many patients, allowing them to eat, speak, laugh and enjoy life in comfort and regain their lost social  confidence. Dental implants are designed to provide a foundation for replacement teeth that look, feel, and function like your own natural teeth. If you have failing teeth or have lost teeth you will regain your ability to eat as you did when you had your natural healthy teeth and you will be able to smile with confidence knowing that your teeth appear natural. As far as care for your dental implants, you must continue to perform oral hygiene that includes the use of a manual or preferably a powered toothbrush and gentle daily flossing. In addition, you will be required to visit your dentist on average three times a year for professional oral hygiene maintenance and bite adjustments to the implant crowns as needed.

What Are Dental Implants?

The implants themselves are sophisticated biomedical devices (titanium posts) that are surgically placed into the jawbone where teeth are missing.The bone bonds with the implant, creating a strong foundation that support the crowns (artificial teeth) which are secured to small posts attached to the implant (abutments) that protrude through the gum. These posts provide stable anchors for artificial replacement teeth. These posts will not be seen after the replacement teeth are in place. Studies have found that the initial success rate for the “Top Tier” dental implant technology exclusively used at South Florida Jaw & Facial Surgery / Robotic Dental Implant Center to be as high as 99%, with no or little discernible bone loss. In the hands of a properly trained and skilled oral surgeon and restorative specialists they are a safe, predictable and most often preferred alternative to old-fashioned bridges and dentures to restore function and a beautiful smile. Implants also help preserve facial structure and lip support, preventing bone deterioration and shrinkage that occurs when teeth are missing.

Surgical Advances

South Florida Jaw & Facial Surgery / Robotic Dental Implant Center only uses the most recent technological advances and “Top Tier” dental implant products. Our doctors are able to place single stage and two stage implants. Single stage implants do not require a second procedure to uncover them, but do require a minimum of six to ten weeks of healing time before artificial teeth are placed.

In many cases implant-scan be placed at the same time as a tooth extraction – further minimizing the number of surgical procedures. Advances in dental implant technology have made it possible, in some cases, to extract teeth and place implants with replacement tooth crowns or even a full set of upper or lower teeth in one visit. This procedure is called “immediate loading” and our patients often leave the office on the same day with their replacement teeth. ( See Smile Lift All-on-4 Procedure)

 Dental implant placement is a team effort between an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, restorative dentist or prosthodontist and  dental technician. While our doctors perform the actual implant surgery, initial tooth extractions, and bone and soft tissue grafting if necessary, your restorative dentist (or one of many highly trained and experienced dentists that regularly work with South Florida Jaw & Facial Surgery / Robotic Dental Implant Center will fit and deliver an interim temporary set of teeth that are comfortable and aesthetically pleasing whenever needed during the implant healing process.) In addition, they along with the dental technicians that regularly work withSouth Florida Jaw & Facial Surgery / Robotic Dental Implant Center will educate you on your restorative options empowering you to provide input regarding the esthetic smile improvements you would like to incorporate in in order to ensure you will love your beautiful new smile. 

What Types Of Prostheses Are Available?

A single prosthesis (crown) is used to replace one missing tooth each prosthetic tooth attaches to its own implant. A partial prosthesis (fixed bridge) can replace two or more teeth and may require only two or three implants. A complete dental prosthesis (fixed bridge) replaces all the teeth in your upper or lower jaw. The number of implants varies depending upon which type of complete prosthesis (removable or fixed) is recommended. A removable prosthesis (over denture) attaches to a bar or ball in socket attachments, whereas a fixed prosthesis is permanent and only removable by your dentist.

Our doctors perform in-office implant surgery in a hospital-style operating suites, thus optimizing the level of sterility and the continuity of service. You will meet your surgical team at the time of your consultation so that on the day of surgery they will be familiar with you and your needs.Inpatient hospital implant surgery is for patients who have special medical or anesthetic needs or for those who need extensive bone grafting from the jaw, hip or tibia.

Why Dental Implants?

Once you learn about dental implants, you finally realize that there is a way to significantly improve your quality of life. When you lose several teeth whether it’s a new situation or something you have lived with for years chances are you have never become fully accustomed to losing such a vital part of yourself.

Life’s simple pleasures can cause problems and pain for the millions of adults  who suffer from failing teeth permanent tooth loss. Men and women of all ages  are self-conscious about their dentures, bridges, bad breath or missing teeth. Some have difficulty speaking because their dentures slip or click. For others, the irritation and pain caused by dentures are constant reminders of the limitation they feel. Many are concerned about their appearance and may feel that their tooth loss has “aged them” before their time. Some people regularly decline invitations to social events because they are unwilling to face the uncertainties of eating, speaking and laughing in public. Many can no longer enjoy their favorite foods, nor the social interaction with family and friends that accompanies special meals.

Dental implants can be your doorway to renewed self-confidence and the   elimination of your embarrassment from tooth loss!

Are You A Candidate For Implants?

If you are considering implants, your mouth must be examined thoroughly and your medical and dental history reviewed. If your mouth is not ideal for implants, ways of improving outcome, such as bone or soft tissue  grafting and changes in diet and your oral hygiene may be recommended. If your gums bleed when your dentist probes the soft tissues or the gingival pocket depth is greater than 4 mm your dental implants will be at risk for infections in the future. If you have active periodontal disease it must be definitely treated before considering dental implants. At South Florida Jaw & Facial Surgery / Robotic Dental Implant Center we will determine the health of your teeth and gums and advise you what needs to be done to optimize your oral health in preparation for placement and restoration of dental implants. There is not a”right” age for placing implants. Our doctors have placed implants in patients of all ages except for children whose jaws are still rapidly growing.. Even complete dentures can now be supported by implants in a single day. The advantage of an implant-supported over denture is that it is completely stable, with no slipping, no rocking and no falling out. Speaking and chewing are unaffected.

IS IT PAINFUL?

The overwhelming majority of patients report that they are pleasantly surprised that they did not require even a single pain pill following placement of dental implants here at Sclar Oral Surgery.  When our doctor’s take their time with the implant surgery, pain is drastically minimized or completely eliminated.

What Type Of Anesthesia Is Used?

While  dental implants, bone grafts and soft tissue grafts can be performed in the office under local anesthesia, IV sedation,or even general anesthesia may be indicated for a painless experience. At the time of your consult the doctor will discuss the various methods of anesthesia and together you will decide which type of anesthesia is best for you. In certain cases consultation with your medical doctors or specialists may be necessary before scheduling your surgery.

Do Implants Need Special Care?

Once the implants are in place, they will serve you well for many years if and only if you make the commitment to take care of them,keep your mouth healthy and maintain good general health. This means taking the time for good oral hygiene (brushing and flossing) and keeping regular appointments at 3-4 r months intervals with your dental specialists and annual or semi-annual check ups with your medical doctors and specialists. Dental implants do not suffer from  tooth decay but their lifespan can be shortened if patients do not comply with a regular supportive oral hygiene program as prescribed by your implant surgeon and restorative dentists. Dental implants are considered the most permanent and cost effective tooth replacement option when compared to conventional dental bridges and root canal treated teeth — and in most cases last a lifetime in patients who maintain good general and oral health. If you  are considering dental implants you will be well served to seek out an implant surgeon who has received 4-6 years of formal specialty training in oral and maxillofacial surgery as recognized by the American Dental Association.

 

WHAT IF THE PROCEDURE FAILS?

Implant dentistry is one of the most successful and long lasting options for patients interested in the replacement of missing teeth.