Dental Implants

How Does the Implant Process Work?

1. Top Reasons to Choose Dental Implants

• The longest-lasting tooth replacements
• Feels like natural teeth
• Able to prevent bone loss
• Safe for adjacent natural teeth
• Easy to care for

2. Why choose Ripon Dental for Dental Implants?

• We use dental implants made in the USA
• Use cutting-edge Cone Beam 3D CT technology for treatment planning
• Use surgical guides for Precise Implant Placement
• Our staff works with your insurance company and designs payment options to fit your budget.

If you have recently dealt with an injury or disease that affected your oral health, there are options available to recover the smile you once had. You may even be able to achieve a better smile than the one you had. Dental implants make it possible to renew your smile if you have lost some teeth. There are several options when it comes to dental implants, depending on how many teeth need to be replaced: just one tooth or several teeth in a row.

How do dental implants work?

A dental implant is a metal post, usually made of titanium, which replaces the root portion of a missing tooth. Your dentist will then place a replacement tooth, which can be permanently attached or removable, to the post. Permanent replacement teeth are more stable and feel more like natural teeth.

An ideal candidate for dental implants:

• Is a non-smoker
• Has maintained good oral health
• Has healthy gums with no signs of gum disease

Single or Multiple Dental Implants

Dental implants are very versatile. If you’re missing one tooth, one implant, and one replacement tooth will take care of your problem. If you’re missing several teeth in a row, a few strategically placed implants can support a permanent bridge. Similarly, if you have lost all of your teeth, a full bridge or full denture can be permanently fixed in your mouth with a strategic number of implants.

Dental Implants vs. Dentures and Bridges

Unlike dental implants, bridges and dentures are not fixed to the bone. This can result in them being unstable, making it difficult to eat or smile with the confidence you want. Dental implants look, feel, and act more natural, just like your natural teeth. They also have a stronger biting force. Implants do not rely on neighboring teeth for support, which is definitely an advantage since this means they won’t compromise the health of your surrounding healthy teeth. Implants are also likely to last a lifetime, whereas bridges are only expected to last seven to ten years and even less if a root canal is required.

Taking Care of Your Dental Implants

Your new dental implants should be treated just like natural teeth. They require brushing and flossing at least twice every day and regular checkups and cleanings with your dentist. The better you take care of your implants, the more likely they truly will last you a lifetime.

Mini Implants

Mini dental implants are about half the size and diameter of a regular dental implant. This offers many benefits, and they can also be used in situations where regular implants cannot. If an implant needs to be placed in a narrow space, mini implants are the preferred method because of their smaller size.

A main use for mini implants is to install a full upper or lower denture. A series of mini implants (4-6) are placed along the gum line, and they serve as the base of the denture. Rather than placing a single implant for a single tooth, an entire lower or upper set of teeth is directly attached to the gum line.

The small size of mini implants often means that no incision needs to be made to place the implant. They can usually be inserted right through the gum into the bone. This eliminates the need for a recovery period, and the restoration can usually be placed right away or only a short time after.

Mini implants are also less expensive than regular implants. Only your dentist knows if mini implants are right for you, so call for your consultation today.

Simplant

Another 3D treatment technology that we implore is the Simplant system. This interactive system determines the position of each implant with 100% accuracy. For the patient, this means that the implant will be placed precisely where it needs to go, eliminating discomfort.

Osstell

Osstell specializes in instruments for analyzing dental implant stability. The company’s latest product, Osstell ISQ, measures the stability of implants in an objective, non-invasive manner using the universal ISQ scale (Implant Stability Quotient). The ISQ values help dentists determine the optimal time to load each implant. Also, by detecting decreasing stability, Osstell ISQ can help prevent failure caused by premature loading. For more information, please go to our website.

Temporary Anchorage Devices

Temporary anchorage devices (TADs), also known as “mini-implants,” are titanium devices that are screwed into your gum and jaw. TADs act as anchors to support the movement of your teeth. They can be positioned in different areas of your jaw, depending on what anchorage and movement you need. Since they essentially become part of your body for a time, they are specifically compatible with human tissue.

A Simple Procedure

Your orthodontist will begin the procedure by using a local anesthetic to numb a small portion of your gum, specifically where the TAD will be anchored. When your TAD is inserted, you should only feel slight pressure. Some discomfort may occur after the procedure is finished and the anesthetic wears off. Over-the-counter pain medication will be enough to alleviate your residual pain.

It’s as simple to remove a TAD as it is to insert one. It is a quick and painless process that requires no anesthesia. After a few days have passed since its removal, the site generally heals with no lingering pain.

Taking Care of Your TAD

While the chance of your TAD getting infected is small, it’s important to prevent this from happening. The following are some helpful tips to take care of your TAD:

• After the TAD is inserted, it’s recommended to rinse your mouth twice a day for five days with an antimicrobial mouthwash. After five days, you can just dip your toothbrush into the mouthwash and gently clean around the TAD every day.
• Do not use an electric toothbrush while there are TADs placed in your mouth.
• Refrain from touching or fidgeting with your TAD.
• Your orthodontist may recommend that you switch from your normal toothpaste to one that kills oral bacteria.