Dental implants are changing the way people live!
Dental implants are designed to provide a foundation for replacement teeth which look, feel and function like natural teeth. Patients who have lost teeth can regain the ability to eat virtually anything, knowing that teeth appear natural and that facial contours will be preserved so they can smile with confidence. More and more patients are turning to dental implants in Florida as a better alternative to dentures and dental bridges. Studies have shown that the long term success rates for dental implants exceed those for root canals, crowns and bridges.
In fact, dentists and insurance companies both have agreed that placement of a dental implant is now the standard of care for replacement of a tooth!
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are titanium posts which are inserted into the jawbone where teeth are missing. These metal anchors act as tooth root substitutes. Once they are surgically placed into the jawbone, the bone bonds with the titanium, creating a strong foundation for artificial teeth (osseointegration). Small posts are then attached to the implant by your restorative dentist which protrude through the gums. These posts provide stable anchors for artificial replacement teeth, bridges, or dentures.
Dental implants also help preserve facial structure, preventing the bone deterioration that occurs when teeth are missing.
Am I a Candidate for Dental Implants?
The majority of patients with missing teeth can successfully undergo implant placement. Those patients that have decreased resistance to infection, or medical conditions complicating anesthesia should discuss these issues in detail with their physician and Dr. Sultan at the consultation.
What are the Success Rates of Dental Implants?
With ever improving materials and techniques, most patients can expect their dental implants to last 20 to 30 years or greater! Remember, long term success depends on a number of factors, including:
- Optimal treatment planning
- Surgical technique
- Final restorations
- Patient oral hygiene
- Materials used
It is important to question your implant surgeon about his/her experience as well as the type of implant materials used. Just like “top tier” gasolines, certain implants have superior healing qualities, and hence, better long term success rates.
THE SURGICAL PROCEDURE
Dental Implant Presentation
To provide you with a better understanding of dental implants, we have provided the following multimedia presentation. Many common questions pertaining to dental implants are discussed.
Having trouble? Please make sure you have version 9 of the Flash browser plugin in order to correctly view this presentation. This software is available as a free download.
The primary goal in the dental implant treatment process is the placement of a final restoration (tooth, bridge, denture) in an ideal position that looks as natural as possible. In order to facilitate this process, Dr. Sultan works as a team with your restorative dentist throughout all phases of treatment.
A Cone Beam CT scan is necessary to evaluate bony anatomy and density. Computer guided surgery and patient specific templates are utilized to accurately place the implants. Please refer to the other sections on these topics for a better explanation.
The traditional approach for the placement of dental implants involves two stages. The first surgical phase involves placing the implants in the jawbones. For the first 2-4 months following surgery (depending upon each individual situation), the implants are beneath the surface of the gums, gradually bonding with the jawbone. You should be able to wear a temporary tooth replacement and eat a soft diet during this time.
After the healing phase, the second phase begins. Dr. Sultan will uncover the implants and then refer you back to your restorative dentist to place the final restoration on top of the implants. Average treatment time is 3-6 months. Should special bone or soft tissue grafting be required, treatment time may be longer. Most patients experience minimal disruption in their daily life.
The Single Stage Implant and the Immediate Restoration
- Shortens treatment time
- Reduces amount of surgery needed
- Placement of immediate temporary crown or bridge
Dr. Sultan will discuss all your surgical options at the time of consultation.
Fractured central incisors
Teeth removed, implants placed
Fixed temporary bridge
Tooth Socket Preparation
Once a tooth is removed, the surrounding bone and soft tissue shrinks. Left alone, the contours of the available bone may be reduced so much that implant placement may be difficult without the need for a bone graft. A common sense alternative is to place a particle type bone graft directly in the tooth socket at the time of tooth removal. This not only preserves the anatomy for implant placement, but many times it also avoids another, more involved bone graft.
Graft placed at time of tooth removal
Graft incorporation
Socket ready for implant
Restorative Options
Replacement of Individual Teeth
Single Tooth Replacement
Multiple single implants vs. bridge
Fully Edentulous Conditions:
Removable Implant Supported Dentures
Locator “Snap On” Overdenture
Bar Overdenture
Implant retained porcelain metal bridge
Implant retained plastic bridge (Hybrid)
Immediate Loading / Teeth in a Day
With the use of Computer Guided Surgery, it is possible to plan for the placement of an implant supported fixed bridge to be inserted at the same time as dental implant placement. This ?teeth in a day? protocol demands close cooperation between Dr. Sultan and your restorative dentist. The technique can be adapted to both fully and partially edentulous patients. The decision between this procedure vs. conventional implant surgery is based on your condition, the type of final appliance and a decision between you, your dentist and Dr. Sultan.
Failing lower dentition
Placement of implants/fixed bridge
Preoperative occlusion
Immediate fixed prosthesis
BONE GRAFTING ISSUES
When patients have a lack of bone to support dental implants, bone grafting can be predictably placed to help enhance implant support. Natural bone can be obtained from various sites inside the oral cavity, as well as the hip, knee, or even the skull. Artificial bone can also be utilized alone or in combination with natural bone. Repositioning of the upper and lower jaws can be performed simultaneously with implant placement, to correct abnormal jaw relationships in conjunction with missing teeth.
Please refer to the Jaw Reconstruction and Bone Grafting sections for a more thorough discussion of this topic.
Please refer to the following presentations for a more in depth review of dental implant treatment using computer guided surgery:
- Dental Implant Presentation
- Scan to Plan Process
New Technology in Dental Implants
Assessing Implant Stability
When a dental implant is placed in the jawbone, a process known as osseointegration takes place. By forming both a biological and mechanical bond to the bone, implants can be safely loaded with long term, predictable results.
However, circumstances occur when an implant may not successfully heal within the bone, or may take longer than the normal time period to integrate. This could result in a prolonged period of healing, additional procedures, or even removal of the implants.
Conventional methods of testing implant stability include evaluation of dental x-rays and attempts at finger manipulation of the implants with a small amount of torque. Unfortunately, these methods are somewhat subjective and can be misleading for long term predictability.
Bone density is a critical factor in implant stability. Many factors affect bone density, including:
- Age and sex
- Bone metabolism and disease
- Nutrition
- Medications
- Previous infection
- Previous trauma
- Pathology
Dental Implant Technology
Dental Implant Technology
Diagnostic imaging of the jawbones using a Cone Beam CT Scanner assists in objectively measuring the bone density surrounding the implants. CT scans are extremely valuable in the pre-surgical planning, as it can assess critical anatomy and areas of variable bone density that will affect the success of implant placement. CT scans should be used in both the planning and post-surgical phases of treatment.
Another objective method of assessing implant stability in the jawbone is by the use of the Osstell ISQ® device. Using a technique similar to a tuning fork, called Resonance Frequency Analysis (RFA), objective measurements of stability are recorded. Using this technique, not only can initial stability be assessed, but long term progression as well. The ISQ is an international standard now used by the most prominent implant surgeons.
The Sultan Center for Oral Facial Surgery is proud to offer both of these state-of-the-art technologies to our patients.
The "All-On-4" Technique
Unsecured dentures are an outdated solution for those people who have lost all their teeth. Dentures can be painful, inconvenient and awkward. Chewing can be difficult, and the taste of certain foods can be dull. Wearing dentures also affects speech and especially appearance. Sultan Surgical Center offers a variety of dental implant based tooth replacement options.
The Logical Alternative...
Due to surgical advances, techniques are available to restore patients smiles without the use of dentures. This can be done efficiently and affordably.
At Sultan Surgical Center, we offer the "Teeth in a Day" protocol utilizing the "all-on-4" technique, where our patients have all necessary surgery in one visit, leaving the office with a fixed smile.
Dental implants using the "all-on-4" technique offer many advantages:
- Long term, cost effective solution to tooth replacement
- Eliminates the need for bone grafting
- Faster treatment and healing time
- Flexible restorative options
- Scientifically proven and well documented
Specifically designed zygomatic implants can be placed avoiding the need for extensive bone grafting. Dr. Sultan is one of the few surgeons in Florida trained in this advanced technique.
Schedule Your Consultation Today!
If you are interested in learning more about dental implants or would like to schedule a consultation with Dr. Sultan, call us today at 954-771-8772. Our practice serves Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach and other surrounding areas.
