Dental Implants

Implants
Dental implants offer a permanent solution to tooth loss, while providing a smile that looks and feels very natural.  They are stronger and more durable than dentures, partials, and even bridges.  They never get a cavity and do not fracture or wear down. Dr. John Halmaghi a top dentist at Comfort Dental in Southfield, Michigan has the a top staff to explain the implant process and if they are right for you.

Implants are surgically placed below the gums. They fuse (osseointegrate) to the jawbone and serve as a base for individual replacement teeth or bridges or dentures. Implants offer stability and function that matches your natural teeth.

We work closely with local area oral surgeons in order to provide our patients with the best implant results possible. We supervise the implant reconstructive process from beginning to end.

Why an Oral Maxillofacial Surgeon?
Oral maxillofacial surgeons are dentists specializing in surgery of the mouth, face and jaws. Oral surgeons receive an extra four to seven years of hospital-based surgical and medical training, after dental school. We want our patients to receive the best possible care…that’s why we choose to work with the best of the best!

Dental implants are among the most successful procedures. We always expect to have at least a 95% success rate for lower jaw implants and 90% for upper jaw implants. The success rate for upper jaw implants is slightly lower because the upper jaw (especially the posterior section) is less dense than the lower jaw, making successful implantation and osseointegration potentially more difficult to achieve. Candidates for dental implants need to have healthy gums and adequate bone to support the implant.

There are some factors that can render implants susceptible to higher failure rates.
These include:

1. Smoking
2. Diabetes
3. Osteoporosis
4. Frequent sinus problems
5. Improperly treated TMJ issues (clenching, bruxing, headaches, migraines)
6. Calcium and Vitamin D deficiencies
7. Additional health issues
8. Poor dental hygiene

In order to ensure that we reach optimal success with implants, we always perform a thorough evaluation in order to make sure that your investment is secure.  All implant evaluations must receive no less than the following:

1. Review of your health status
2. Consult with your physician regarding any contraindications or precautions
3. Panorex (jaw) XRs
4. Transcranial XRs (for advanced reconstructive cases) in order to provide a determination of the position of your jaw joints and determine if there are any jaw function problems
5. EMG studies (for advanced reconstructive cases) in order to determine the best possible position for the implants based on your muscle and jaw function
6. Preliminary study models used in conjunction with EMG studies and bite analysis
7. CT Scans for advanced cases
8. Full diagnostic lab wax up and surgical stents to be used for placement

WHAT TO EXPECT
A dental implant is commonly composed of a titanium material screw which is placed in your jaw.  A small-diameter hole is drilled at the site of placement in order to guide the titanium screw that holds a dental implant in place. After the initial pilot hole has been drilled into the appropriate jaw site, it is slowly widened to allow for placement of the implant screw. Following this placement, a protective healing screw is placed on top to allow the implant site to heal and the dental implant to anchor (osseointegration). After several months, the healing cover is removed and fabrication of crown begins.

CARING FOR YOUR IMPLANTS
Although dental implants are not susceptible to the formation of cavities, poor oral hygiene can still lead to the development of periodontitis (gum disease) around the implant.  Yes, you still must brush and floss your implant just like your natural teeth!

These X-rays show the placement of 6 implants in the upper arch.  It also shows failure of one implant, which we decided to leave in the jaw bone temporarily in order to maintain the bone level from shrinking.						This X-ray shows one implant between natural teeth.
BEFORE	AFTER		These X-rays show how implants are used to restore bridges and roots that were failing...notice that the implant crowns were soldered together for maximum strength

Proper placement of implants and crowns is dictated by the dentist who will finish restoring the crowns and bite.  Full architectural blue prints are necessary before any surgery is done.

If would like to schedule a consultation at Comfort Dental in Southfield, Michigan, to see if implants are right for you, call 248-646-2273.