What is the Success Rate for Dental Implants?

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implant dentistry SarniaImplant dentistry boasts a legacy of success that is difficult to ignore. The procedure is supported by more than a half-century of clinical research and new applications for dental implants are being developed continuously. In fact, many of the first commercially placed dental implants are still in place today.

Current studies show that implants are typically more than 95% successful. In light of the research, statistics, and overall favorability, dental implants are often the very best treatment for replacing missing teeth.

What does this mean for you, the patient? With proper care, your dental implants should last for a lifetime. With each passing year, you should expect to remain satisfied with your decision to replace you missing teeth. Your replacement teeth should continue to perform as well and as comfortably as your natural teeth, even decades after they are initially placed.

There are certain conditions that can compromise the longevity of your dental implants, and your implant dentist will make every effort to prepare you for implant success.

It is important to disclose any underlying health conditions during your implant consultation. If necessary, your physician may be consulted in order to prevent any unanticipated complications. In general, the state of your overall health plays a major role in the success of your dental implant. A patient who is not medically compromised with any conditions that may delay the healing process can expect to enjoy a more predictable outcome during the first five years following implant placement.

Taking steps to prevent gum disease both before and after the placement of your implants can also lengthen the lifespan of your new teeth. Even if you have lost your natural teeth as a result of gum disease, proper oral hygiene practices can prevent the problem from recurring.

Studies show that smoking can delay the healing process and compromise the early success of your implant, but the habit does not exclude you as an implant candidate. Your implant dentist will discuss the risks that smoking presents and work together with you to prevent complications.

The success rate for a dental implant is very much dependent upon each patient and the conditions under which the implant is placed.

Contact our periodontics and implantology practice, serving Sarnia, to learn more about what you can expect from your implant procedure.

Do Dental Implants Mimic the Natural Tooth Structure?

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When it comes to replacing lost teeth, dentures and dental bridges are popular choices for many, as they quickly and conveniently conceal the gaps left behind by a missing tooth. However, for patients who want more than a quick fix, dental implants offer an alternative solution, and implant treatment is fast becoming the main form of dental reconstruction treatment carried out by an implant dentist.

Dental implants carry a number of benefits over dentures and dental bridges. Not only are they stronger by design and so help to reinforce and support surrounding teeth to prevent tooth shift, they help preserve a patient’s bite alignment and strength, while also having no adverse effects on a patient’s speech.

Crucially, however, despite being artificial dental implants can closely mimic the look, feel and natural behavior of real teeth and can improve a person’s oral health in ways other reconstructive treatments cannot.

A real tooth contains roots which attach themselves into the gum tissue. These roots help to keep the tooth secure in the mouth by not only providing support, but also nourishing the tooth structure and promoting growth of gum tissue and jawbone. When a tooth is lost, the tooth root invariably is also lost, and so stimulus of the tooth and surrounding tissue is ceased.

This stimulus cannot be replicated by dentures or dental bridges. However, dental implants DO restore this process, and so gum tissue and jaw bone can continue to develop and grow healthily. The reason for this stimulus is down to the titanium rod that is used by an implant dentist during the treatment.

The titanium rod is inserted by the dentist into the patient’s gum tissue, where over time it fuses directly with the patient’s jawbone; providing the necessary stimulus to maintain the health of the patient’s gum tissue and jawbone, and also the surrounding teeth by preventing gum tissue from receding and degradation of the jaw’s bone mass.

A porcelain dental crown is placed on top of the titanium rod, restoring the natural look of the teeth and smile, and dental implants are indistinguishable from real, healthy teeth.  All-in-all, dental implant treatment allows for far more effective dental reconstruction of a patient’s smile than any other method, and adds in the fact they require no special care other than a regular dental hygiene program. It’s not hard to see why they have become so popular.

For additional information and to schedule your professional consultation, contact our Sarnia office at 519-332-3122 today.

Why Denture Wearers are Turning to Dental Implants

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dental surgery SarniaIt’s nice to have choices. The problem is, when it comes to choosing healthcare or dental care, most of us are not informed enough to make the best choice. Unfortunately, it is in these areas that the correct decision is most critical.

 

Selecting to undergo a procedure that will impact your overall health as well as your bank account will be a decision that you’ll have to live with for quite a while.

In terms of tooth replacement, rely on the expertise of your dental provider for help in sorting out the details. If you are not completely satisfied with the fit or function of your traditional dentures, you may want to explore dental surgery as a solution. A trusted professional is the best resource for approaching such a task and you’ll feel confident that you are making an informed decision.

The latest dental research and statistics show that dental implants are the most ideal solution for stabilizing dentures. When your natural teeth are missing, both the biting surface and the roots are lost. Of course, a traditional denture can replace the lost biting surface, but what about the missing roots? A few strategically placed implants can simulate the tooth roots, creating a strong foundation for your denture.

In a surgical procedure, the implant is inserted into the jaw bone and permitted to heal. In time, the surrounding bone will become integrated with the implant, becoming stable enough to support an upper or lower denture. The implant can offer a lifetime of chewing stability while enhancing and completing your smile.

There are a number of options for replacing missing teeth, each with its own unique advantages and disadvantages.  So, it’s nice to have choices. But it’s better to work with your periodontist to select the choice that is best for you.

To join the ranks of the denture wearers who are turning to dental implants in Sarnia, contact Dr. J. J. Fargher and Associates Periodontics & Dental Implantology.

Common Causes of Tooth Loss

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Tooth loss can be attributed to many different causes.  Trauma due to an accident, a fall, or sports injury can result in the loss of one or more teeth.

Disease, either genetic or lifestyle created, can result in tooth loss. But possibly the most preventable issue that can result in tooth loss is dental decay. Unfortunately, no matter the cause, tooth loss is uncomfortable and unattractive. The most effective treatment that will allow you to regain the ability to eat, speak and smile with ease is a dental implant.

Dental implants are small screw like devices made from titanium that are surgically placed in gum tissue where the tooth is missing. Your implant dentist can offer you different options from an implant placed immediately after extracting a diseased tooth to placing an implant where a tooth has been previously lost. A primary consideration that is discussed at your consultation is whether or not there is sufficient bone tissue to support a dental implant.

Once the decision is made to go forward with a dental implant, your implant dentist will place the implant in your gum tissue. At that time the implant will begin the process of fusing to existing bone tissue. This will continue throughout the healing process, usually about four to six months.

At the conclusion of the healing process, a final restoration will be affixed to the implant. Your dental provider will be able to match the shape and shade to your surrounding teeth making your dental implant virtually undetectable.

Now that treatment has been completed, you will have regained the ability to eat and speak naturally. But more importantly, your self-confidence will be restored because you are now able to smile without worrying about that unsightly gap.

Your dental implants do not require any special care. Smoking and tobacco use are strongly discouraged. And since infection is the leading cause of implant failure, your dental provider will explain how critical it is to floss daily and keep the implant area clean from the first day of your procedure and in the future. Brushing twice per day coupled with professional cleanings and dental exams twice per year will help ensure your implant will serve you well for many years to come.

To learn more about treatment with dental implants, contact our Sarnia Ontario office at 519-332-3122 today.

Gum Disease: Signs and Symptoms

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dental surgery SarniaGum disease is a common problem that can be easily treated if it is caught in the early stages. A periodontist will evaluate your gums for signs of gum disease and recommend dental surgery. If you experience any of the following symptoms, it is important to address these concerns as soon as possible.

Symptoms of Gum Disease

Signs and symptoms of gum disease can be subtle, but some are more obvious than others.

•    Bleeding gums when you brush your teeth
•    Shiny, abnormally red gums
•    Gum sensitivity or tenderness

Other signs of gum disease are more easily determined at your dental provider’s office. During your regular exam, the depth of the pockets around your teeth where the gums meet the roots will be measured. In the presence of gingivitis or more severe gum disease, the pockets become deeper as the gums pull away from the tooth roots. If these pockets are deep, you will require treatment to prevent additional damage or even tooth loss.

Treatments for Gum Disease

If gum disease is diagnosed early, treatment is relatively simple. Brushing with baking soda or a baking soda toothpaste to reduce the inflammation might be recommended. With advanced cases, more extensive treatment will be required.

Treatment for periodontal disease can involve deep cleaning techniques, such as planing and scaling, which remove plaque and tartar from the tooth roots. Your dentist might prescribe antibiotics to bring the infection under control. For advanced cases of gum disease, dental surgery may be necessary.

Preventing gum disease is the best approach to care. Regular brushing and flossing will help stimulate your gums to keep them healthy and will also remove plaque from between the teeth and under the gum line. During your regular dental visits, more thorough cleaning will further help keep your gums from developing infection.

For more information about gum disease signs, symptoms and treatment, please contact Dr. J. J. Fargher and Associates Periodontics & Dental Implantology practice in Sarnia. Call 519-332-3122 to schedule your consultation.

Dental Implants: A Long-term, Permanent Solution

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Though tooth loss may be a fairly common dental condition, it’s an experience that can be both traumatic and challenging. Tooth loss affects your smile, speech, chewing, and confidence. What’s more, it can be a costly problem. Unless you select a predictable and long-term solution such as dental implants for tooth replacement, you may be saddled with a lifetime of on-going concerns.

Choices such as dentures and partials have relatively short lifespans and require adjustments and alterations. Without the stimulation of tooth roots, the jaw steadily resorbs, changing the fit and effectiveness of any removable appliance.

Even permanent bridges fail to provide a long-term solution for tooth loss. Since these restorations are connected to the neighboring teeth, they can pose a daily challenge in terms of brushing and flossing. In addition, bridges cannot provide adequate stimulation for the jaw bone, and are not effective at preventing bone loss.

A welcome alternative to traditional tooth replacement methods, dental implants are currently the best available long-term solution to tooth loss.

Starting with an artificial tooth root, dental implants are more similar to a natural tooth than any other alternative. Mimicking a natural tooth root, the implant is literally integrated with your jaw bone, forming a permanent bond. This bond has been clinically proven to stop and prevent bone loss. With routine dental care and thorough brushing and flossing, your dental implant is meant to last for a lifetime.

When your periodontist has deemed that the implant post (artificial tooth root) has healed properly, a restoration will be selected to replace the top half of the tooth. According to your needs, this may include a dental crown, or an anchor for a denture or partial.

The final restoration will remain securely in place indefinitely. Without the assistance of adhesives, and with no need for adjustments, your dental implant will continue to maintain its position within your smile.

The long-term security and effectiveness offered by dental implants is unmatched by any other tooth replacement solution. Your periodontist can teach you more about the reasons that implants may be right for you.

To learn more about dental implants in Sarnia Ontario, contact Dr. J. J. Fargher and Associates Periodontics & Dental Implantology at 519-332-3122 to schedule your consultation.