Many patients can get confused by this, especially with a lot of the marketing that goes on. A patient is thinking of dental implants like they would for other items, such as furniture, food, gas, etc. Dental implants, and the overall dental health of people, is very similar to their medical health. Dental implants are not a thing that you shop for the best price. Buyer beware, is still in effect. Not every person who places implants is qualified to do so.
There are very strict requirements that are necessary for implants to be placed. Not understanding these requirements and needs of the body, can lead to many more problems for the future of the patient. Just because an office is a few hundred dollars less per item, doesn't mean that your dental implant treatment is going to be successful.
For a good outcome, many people who place implants have gone to extensive schooling and continually attend continuing education courses to make sure that everything goes well. Periodontists and oral surgeons are the primary people that place dental implants. They have been the most trained in surgical techniques and can make quick decisions to benefit the patient due to their experience.
Think of dental implants like you would for heart surgery. If you needed a heart transplant, you wouldn't shop around to see who is cheaper, you want the best. Don't think dental implants are just easy to deal with, they are when everything is perfect. Make sure you do your homework and don't be cheap.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
What is a Dental Implant?
Many people ask me, what is a dental implant?
The simple answer is that it is a titanium screw that replaces the missing root. Once the implant is placed into the bone and has had a chance to heal, your dentist places a crown or cap on the implant, just like you would for a regular tooth. This completes the implant process.
I tell my patients that it can be as straight forward as screwing a screw into the wall or a piece of wood. This makes the assumption that there is enough bone to support the implant in the bone. Now this last point is the most important part of the puzzle, and is the most often part of this that is ignored or overlooked.
The number one reason implants fail is due to the lack of proper bone support. Think about implants and bone, like you would a fence post. To place a solid post, you dig a hole and then set the post. Normally you would use cement around the post for a stable fence, and then let the cement become solid before you put on the actual fence. Now if you place the fence on the posts before the cement is solid, your fence will stay up for a short time, but will ultimately fall down.
Dental implants are the same. The bone must be solid, healthy, and thick enough before the implant can be placed or the implant will fail. Most implants, when done correctly with good bone support, can last the life of a patient. If problems occur during the analysis or placement, then the implant will have a poorer prognosis.
The moral of this part of the story, is to have an experienced implant surgeon to analyze and place the implant. At the Oklahoma Center for Implants and Periodontics, Dr. Robin Henderson, is a specialist in dental implants and gum disease. Every implant patient gets a 3-D image, or CT scan, done before implants are placed in order for the bone to be analyzed and determined if enough bone is present for implants to be placed.
If you need a CT scan done or a free implant consultation done in Oklahoma, please feel free to contact Dr. Robin Henderson at the Oklahoma Center for Implants and Periodontics at robin@okperioimplant.com or (405) 947-0486.
The simple answer is that it is a titanium screw that replaces the missing root. Once the implant is placed into the bone and has had a chance to heal, your dentist places a crown or cap on the implant, just like you would for a regular tooth. This completes the implant process.
I tell my patients that it can be as straight forward as screwing a screw into the wall or a piece of wood. This makes the assumption that there is enough bone to support the implant in the bone. Now this last point is the most important part of the puzzle, and is the most often part of this that is ignored or overlooked.
The number one reason implants fail is due to the lack of proper bone support. Think about implants and bone, like you would a fence post. To place a solid post, you dig a hole and then set the post. Normally you would use cement around the post for a stable fence, and then let the cement become solid before you put on the actual fence. Now if you place the fence on the posts before the cement is solid, your fence will stay up for a short time, but will ultimately fall down.
Dental implants are the same. The bone must be solid, healthy, and thick enough before the implant can be placed or the implant will fail. Most implants, when done correctly with good bone support, can last the life of a patient. If problems occur during the analysis or placement, then the implant will have a poorer prognosis.
The moral of this part of the story, is to have an experienced implant surgeon to analyze and place the implant. At the Oklahoma Center for Implants and Periodontics, Dr. Robin Henderson, is a specialist in dental implants and gum disease. Every implant patient gets a 3-D image, or CT scan, done before implants are placed in order for the bone to be analyzed and determined if enough bone is present for implants to be placed.
If you need a CT scan done or a free implant consultation done in Oklahoma, please feel free to contact Dr. Robin Henderson at the Oklahoma Center for Implants and Periodontics at robin@okperioimplant.com or (405) 947-0486.
Welcome to Oklahoma Dental Implants Information
I'd like to welcome all to the premiere blog for all of your dental implant information here in Oklahoma. I'm glad that you have found this site when searching for the most accurate and honest information regarding dental implants here in Oklahoma. If you are looking at this blog, then you are going down the right path to getting your dental health on track.
As a periodontist, I am a specialist in the foundation of the mouth. My role in the dental team is to make sure that your gums and bones are healthy enough to support, your teeth and your implants. Since the foundation of the mouth is necessary to support dental implants, our office, and the periodontist is the key dental surgeon for the placement of dental implants.
At the Oklahoma Center for Implants & Periodontics, we specialize in periodontal treatment (gum treatment) and the replacement and maintenance of dental implants. Our office is the premiere site in Oklahoma for your dental implant surgery. We have the most advanced equipment to analyze and place your dental implants in the most comfortable and friendly atmosphere.
With this blog I hope to answer questions and give advice for your dental treatment with regards to your dental health and your dental implants. Please feel free to contact me directly with questions at robin@okperioimplant.com or call the office at (405) 947-0486 for a free consultation regarding dental implants.
Please check back often for more information.
As a periodontist, I am a specialist in the foundation of the mouth. My role in the dental team is to make sure that your gums and bones are healthy enough to support, your teeth and your implants. Since the foundation of the mouth is necessary to support dental implants, our office, and the periodontist is the key dental surgeon for the placement of dental implants.
At the Oklahoma Center for Implants & Periodontics, we specialize in periodontal treatment (gum treatment) and the replacement and maintenance of dental implants. Our office is the premiere site in Oklahoma for your dental implant surgery. We have the most advanced equipment to analyze and place your dental implants in the most comfortable and friendly atmosphere.
With this blog I hope to answer questions and give advice for your dental treatment with regards to your dental health and your dental implants. Please feel free to contact me directly with questions at robin@okperioimplant.com or call the office at (405) 947-0486 for a free consultation regarding dental implants.
Please check back often for more information.
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