The Silberman Dental Group Newsletter September 2013
Dr. Silberman would like you to know more about dental implants.
What are Dental Implants?
Do you have a space where a tooth used to be? Were you born with a missing tooth? Are you getting ready for dentures? You may be a good candidate for a dental implant. Metal dental implants were invented in 1965. Technology continues to advance with nearly 800,000 implants placed last year in the United States. Placing implants has become mainstream and a common practice. There are several very qualified specialists that we refer to locally for this procedure.
A dental implant is a small titanium post, which resembles a screw with threads. The post also has holes for bone to integrate. A dental implant is placed into the jawbone during a short dental procedure. It sounds terrible, but it’s relatively painless with very little post-operative pain. The threads on the implant post allow for the bone to fill in and integrate. To facilitate this process the implant is re-covered with gum tissue and allowed to heal and integrate for nearly three months. The implant acts as the root for the tooth to provide solid and stable support for the crown that’s yet to be placed.
The next step in the dental procedure is to uncover the implant and place a healing cap to allow the gum tissue to heal. After a short period of healing, you would return to me for treatment. An impression is taken to fabricate a crown to fully restore the missing tooth. The crown is then cemented on top of the implant post, at which point you can resume normal eating activities.
Dental implants do require some special care, but that is easily managed when you follow the directions outlined by myself and my team. During your regularly scheduled cleaning, special instruments are used to clean implants. While a dental implant cannot get a cavity, a condition known as peri-implantitis can occur. This is very similar to periodontal disease. The end result can be dental implant loss and loss of bone structure. Be sure to floss the dental implant daily and run the floss under the implant crown as far as it can go to remove food and plaque. If you use any picks or small brushes to go in between your teeth, make sure they are plastic. Metal will scratch the implant making it more susceptible to infection. Be sure to keep your regular dental visits and cleanings so we can monitor the implant and help preserve your investment.
If dental implants are something you would like to consider, call my office today to schedule your free consultation.
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For all of our patients celebrating Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, we wish you L’Shana Tovah. We hope it will be a time of many joys and good health for you and those you love.
