Dental implants are a state-of-the-art method that solves many problems associated with dentures and partial dentures. They eliminate the need for a removable partial denture by providing the support necessary for attachment of a fixed bridge. Implants can provide a strong attachment to secure dentures to bone. Indeed, implants offer the ideal solution for the patient who finds removable partial dentures or complete dentures uncomfortable or unsatisfactory.

Provide a method for anchoring your lower or upper denture. Provide a method for replacing your partial or full denture with fixed bridgework. Provide a method for replacing a single tooth. Improve quality of life by removing many frustrations associated with using dentures or removable bridgework. Improve chewing function and restore the feeling of natural tooth function.

Consult with Dr. Mendel on your oral rehabilitation program, including dental implants. He will need a complete health history, dental x-rays, and oral examination. Impressions of your mouth will probably be requested as well. After evaluating the results of these tests, Dr. Mendel will recommend you to an appropriate treatment plan. Remember, not everyone who is missing teeth is a candidate for implant restoration. Generally, anyone who is healthy enough to have routine extractions can be considered for dental implants.

In a 20-year Swedish study of patients without teeth, thousands of titanium screw implants were inserted for support of fixed bridges. Findings of this research showed that if implant attachment to living bone (osseointegration) is attained, there is very little chance the implant would be lost.

Other studies have shown the implants used by Dr. Mendel achieve osseointegration on a highly consistent basis.

Mr. G. is 66 years old and has been wearing dentures since he was 25. Over the years the bone that supported his dentures has been gradually deteriorating. For the past ten years it has been increasingly more difficult to keep the denture in place and the bottom plate hurts constantly when chewing. Eating has become a problem. He is limited in what he can chew and is embarrassed to eat in a restaurant. The inability to properly chew, his food has led to digestive problems and he feels like he is not properly nourished.

Two implants were placed in the lower jaw and a new set of dentures adapted for the implants. He has been using the implants for five years now, gained 30 pounds and proudly informed me he was eating peanut brittle with his family at Christmas.

Tamie is 14 years old and has been missing one of her adult front teeth since an accident at age eight. She has been wearing a small removable partial denture to fill in the "hole". She is constantly aware of this physical abnormality. She does not want to talk in class, worries that a boy might not like it, and simply can not eat a sandwich with it. A fixed bridge could be made, but because of the spacing between her front teeth, this would look unnatural.

Tamie received a single implant in the missing space and a crown that matched her other front teeth. The spaces between her front teeth are now even. She can talk with boys now, eat sandwiches and not feel "different".

Mrs. K lost her upper teeth at age 65 to pyorrhea (gum disease). She has been trying to wear an upper denture for six months and hates it. It feels as big as a brick, inhibits her sense of taste, tends to gag her, and at times will slip when she wants to smile. She has been so preoccupied by the denture that it has become a psychological problem affecting her self-esteem.

Six implants were placed and fixed bridges secured to the implants. She can eat anything she wants, smile confidently and, most important, she feels like a whole person again.

Jim is 40 and has lost several teeth to gum disease. Rather than prepare multiple teeth for bridges, single implants are placed where the missing teeth are. Each implant will be used to support a single crown. The result is an excellent bite and natural appearance, without a partial denture or even fixed bridges.

Mrs. Q has had several different removable partial dentures made for her lower jaw. All of them are uncomfortable. She has a large growth of bone called torl on the mandible that makes wearing any removable appliance difficult.

Three implants were placed toward the back of the mandible with fixed bridges supported by implants toward the back and natural teeth in the front. The result is a natural appearance with no metal showing and all teeth supported by bone and not gum tissue. The patient is tree from any bars, plates or clasps.

There are as many different individual problems created, by missing teeth as there are people. There Is now a new branch of dentistry that can give hope to those people that are missing some or all of their teeth. This branch of dentistry Is called Implantology or Implant Dentistry. If involves the placement of Titanium anchors in the jawbone and securing replacement teeth to these anchors. There is some special training and skill that a dentist must develop before placing the implants, but the process of placing an implant is not difficult or dangerous. Placing the implant is no more traumatic than extracting a tooth. In fact every patient I have placed an implant for, goes away from the surgery with a positive feeling because he is gaining something, not losing something.

The concept of replacing a missing tooth with an artificial tooth has been around since ancient times. The Egyptians tried to implant missing teeth with ivory teeth that were hand-carved to the shape of the missing tooth and placed into the bone.

Patents were filed in this country around the turn of the century for Dental Implants to replace the missing roots of teeth. Until recently, twenty years ago, the technology did not exist to give a patient an implant with the strength needed for chewing and a useful service life. With the advent of the titanium implant and new techniques, these implants are incredibly strong, with a long and predictable service life.

About 20 years ago a European physician made an amazing discovery while doing research on dogs. Titanium and bone grew together to forma tight, rigid union called osseointegration. Dr. Branemark spent the next few years experimenting and developing Titanium Implants to support replacement teeth. With more than 20 years of research and development titanium Implants have become a viable alternative for missing teeth. Ther are several different brands of Titanium Implants on the market today. They all seem to achieve osseointegration and can be used to support replacement teeth.

The placement of the implants is a simple surgical procedure that is routinely achieved under local anesthetics. The tissue over the implant site is pushed away to expose the bone. A recipient space is created in the bone to the exact shape of the implant and the implant is placed In the bone. The tissue is repositioned and secured with sutures. There is now a period of three to six months in which the bone and implant fuse together - osseointegration. The patient can wear his denture or partial denture while osseointegration is being achieved. After the implant and bone have formed a rigged union, the replacement teeth can be attached to the implants.

There are five basic ways implants can be utilized. Two or three implants can be placed and used to stabilize a denture to keep it from shifting and relieve some pressure from the gums. Four or five implants can be placed to completely support a denture and hold it locked in place. Six to eight implants can be placed and fixed bridges made to completely eliminate a denture and return the patient to what looks and feels like natural teeth. A single implant can replace a single missing tooth. Implants can be used in conjunction with natural teeth to form a fixed bridge to replace partial dentures.

The applications for dental for implants are many and vary according to each individual. Any individual that is missing all or some teeth may be a candidate for implants.

Normally an examination and consultation is given to determine the exact nature of the individual’s problem, his health history, suitable areas for implants to be placed, and what replacement modality would best be suited to the individual’s needs and desires.

This Is an exciting new era in dentistry - a time when patients, now have an opportunity to replace missing teeth with implants that can bring back normal function and appearance. My staff and I are thrilled to be a part of this service.

For many people these things do not exist. The loss of teeth and the bone that supports a partial denture or complete denture results in dysfunction, sinking in of the facial contours and dentures that will not stay in place. This in time produces the inability to properly chew food.

For Mrs. G, social insecurity meant an upper denture that might slip when she smiled or tried to eat. The upper denture was an embarrassment and made her uncomfortable around her friends, because it might drop at any time. She wanted to be able to laugh and eat with her friends and not worry.

Mr. R. was the president of a small firm and needed to present a strong image to the public, his lower denture would not stay in place. Eating in public was a nightmare, he could not chew well and his diet was limited. Speaking was even more of a problem because the lower denture was pushed around with the movement of the tongue as he spoke. He had learned how to hold the denture in place with his tongue, but sometimes it required some conscious thought to keep the denture in place when talking.

The answer to these problems has been the titanium dental implant. There are thousands of individual stories of people that wear partial dentures or complete dentures that now with titanium dental implants once again have a functional set of teeth that are secure and attractive.

Mrs. G. received six titanium implants and a fixed bridge on the upper jaw. With the new bridge she has absolute confidence that her teeth will stay in place and she can laugh and smile without fear of her teeth ever coming out.

Mr. R. has four implants and a lower denture that is fastened to them by two small locking devices. The denture cannot be removed unless he releases both locks. He has excellent chewing ability now and can cat corn on the cob, apples, and steaks to his heart’s content. Speaking is no longer a problem because his teeth are stable and even his diction has Improved.

These two examples are typical of the many different situations that arise for people that have lost all or some of their teeth. For many people traditional partial dentures and complete dentures are not the answer to their needs. If sufficient existing bone is present the titanium implant can be the answer many people have waited so long for.

The steps involved in Implant dentistry are examination, treatment planning, placement of the implants, osseointegration, uncovering the implants, and building the bridgework on the implants. The examination consists or an oral examination of present conditions, x-rays, and a review of the health history. Based on these findings a recommendation is made as to what would be best for the patient in terms of remaining bone, number and types of implants, and the type of bridge that would work with the implants placed.

The actual placement of the implants is a minor surgical procedure that is normally accomplished in a physician’s office using local anesthesia. The tissue over the implant site is pushed away to expose the underlying bone. A recipient space is created in the bone to the exact shape of the implant and the implant is placed in the bone The tissue is repositioned and secured with sutures. There is now a period of three to six months in which the bone and implant fuse together. This fusing of bone and implant is termed osseointegration. When an implant has reached osseointegration there is an incredibly strong bond formed between the implant and the bone. During the three to six month period for osseointegration, the patient can wear his or her denture or partial denture.

There are many different individual problems caused by missing teeth and each person reflects these individual differences. Now the titanium dental implant can give hope to those people that are missing all or some teeth to restore normal function and appearance. The branch of dentistry that deals with implants is called implantology or simply implant dentistry. It involves the placement of titanium anchors in the jawbone and securing replacement teeth to these anchors. There is some advanced training and skill that a dentist must develop before placing implants, but the process of placing an implant is not difficult or dangerous. It is usually less traumatic than extracting a tooth. Patients leave the implant surgery feeling very positive. They are gaining something, not losing something.

There has been some controversy over the best type of implant. These are the result of the many manufacturers of the implants in competition with each other. All the implants are basically the same. They are small cylinders of pure titanium or a medical grade of titanium alloy. They all seem to osseointegrate with the bone and form a strong base for the replacement teeth. The competition among manufacturers has had a positive effect in producing a very good product, but added some confusion to the public. In selecting an implant system it is more important to know the experience and training of the dentist than the actual brand of implant being used. It Is like flying; if you have confidence in your pilot, you will have confidence in the flight.

Since conception of implants the techniques and materials have constantly improved to give the patient a better result. There are now studies of ten, fifteen, and twenty years that demonstrate a very high success rate of more than a 90% retention rate. Dental implants enjoy a very high degree of success for a medical procedure with few complications or side effects.

The concept of replacing a missing tooth with an artificial tooth has intrigued the medical field since ancient times. The early Egyptians implanted carved Ivory teeth to replace missing teeth. The Mayas of Central America missing teeth with shaved bits of seashell driven into the bone. In this country, patents were filed around the turn of the century for dental implants to replace the missing roots of teeth. Until recently, almost twenty five years ago, the technology did not exist to give a patient an implant with the strength needed for chewing and a useful service life. The advent of the titanium implants and new placement techniques showed predictable results can be achieved. The strength of the bond

of bone and implant is suitable for the high pressures of normal chewing and the service life of the implants is extremely long.

Almost twenty rive years ago a European physician, Dr. Branemark, began experimenting with titanium implants and bone growth. He soon realized that titanium was an excellent material to replace missing roots of teeth. The way titanium and bone grow together (osseointegration) allows for a strong bone-implant union. This discovery produced the first titanium dental implants. Over the last two decades techniques, designs, and materials have been developed to improve the placement and predictabilily of the titanium implant.

This is a truly amazing era we live in today. Science and technology have combined in the field of Dentistry to give a remarkable new opportunity to people that have lost teeth to regain normal function and appearance. No longer do people have to suffer with the social insecurity of loose fitting, bulky dentures and partial dentures. The answer for you or someone you know is the titanium dental implant and the first step is to contact one of the many dentists now placing implants to find out if you are a candidate for this procedure. We are excited about working in this rapidly expanding branch of dentistry, and take pride in presenting implants for our patients.

For more than 40 million Americans, dentures are a way of We. Most denture wearers have adjusted well to these prosthetic devices. They are able to chew reasonably well, and the appearance is good. There are a large number of people, however, with full or partial dentures that have continual problems.

Typical complaints by denture wearers include: food getting under a denture and pinching in the gum while chewing; dentures that slip out of place at the most inconvenient times; lower dentures that exert too much pressure on the gum to tolerate; upper dentures that block the palate, cutting off the sense of taste and the feel of food as well as dulling the sense of hot and cold; dentures and partial dentures that feel bulky and unnatural.

Dentures and partial dentures are not natural. They are plastic prosthetic devices that are an inexpensive means of replacing missing teeth.

Dentures have limitations. The most serious limitation is the continuous loss of bone in the jaws once the teeth have been extracted. The sunken-in appearance of the faces of many long-term denture wearers (15-30 years) is the result of this continuous bone loss. Many long-term denture wearers are very disappointed when, after 20 years of wearing, their dentures will not stay in place and new dentures do not solve the problem. This is simply caused by the gradual loss of the supporting bone for the denture. These people become increasingly uncomfortable with dentures as the years pass.

A denture or partial denture needs to he changed or re-lined every five to seven years in order to properly conform to the gradual changes of the supporting bone.

There are, of course, those denture wearers that would rather have a denture than their natural teeth because their natural teeth brought about so much pain and discomfort to them. However the vast majority of denture wearers would love to have natural feeling, looking and functioning teeth. This is what implant dentistry can offer these individuals - a second chance to have teeth that look, feel and function naturally.

What are the benefits of implants versus dentures or partial dentures? The first and foremost is a dramatic return of the function of chewing. An implant is a titanium anchor. It is fused to bone and allows the individual to chew with bone support rather than having a plastic device dig into the gum when chewing. The increase in chewing ability is obvious.

It is truly amazing to see people that have suffered for many years with the limitations of chewing come to me one day to get implants - not because they cannot chew properly - but because of some embarrassing situation. One woman lost her denture when she laughed in front of her girlfriends on the golf course. A businessman lost his plate at an important business meeting when he coughed. Another woman was embarrassed when her grandchildren laughed at her as she took her teeth out.

All these incidents triggered a desire to correct a problem of confidence and self-worth. Perhaps more than anything else, the return of an individual’s feelings of wholeness and renewed self-esteem are the most important benefits implants can offer.

Another noteworthy attribute of implants is that unlike dentures, which need routine work every few years, all indications are that implants will last virtually a lifetime.

Along with the many benefits, individuals should be well informed of the drawbacks of which may be associated with implants.

First of all, there are surgical procedures involved in the placement. This seems to be a sticking point with many candidates worried about going through a surgery. But almost everyone is pleasantly surprised at how little discomfort is really involved during and after the procedure.

Implants do, however, take time. It takes a minimum of four months to place the implants, let them integrate with the bone and then build the final replacement teeth.

Implants do no work all the time. They are successful about 95% of the time, but about 1 in 20 will not form a union with the bone. In this uncommon incidence, additional implants can be placed or alternate plans can be made.

Cost is the other factor that limits treatment with implants. Stabilizing a lower denture with two implants runs about $3,700. Utilizing four implants to support a lower denture would be about %5,800. Placing six implants and replacing a denture with a fixed bridge (teeth that are not removed from the implants) could cost about $9,000.

Because each person has unique conditions, needs and expectations, the first step in the implant process always involves an evaluation of one’s particular case. An oral examination I performed with X-rays and a review of the patient’s health history.

Following an extensive review of the initial evaluation, a treatment plan is presented which clearly details what can be done utilizing implants in order to solve the individual’s problems.

Fees are then discussed, along with the benefits and limitations. Once the treatment is agreed upon, the implants can be placed. The placement of titanium implants is a minor surgical procedure routinely performed a dentist’s office utilizing local anesthetics. Normally a patient can wear existing dentures or partial dentures for all or most of the time the implant(s) and bone are bonding together. This bonding of titanium and bone is called osseointegration. The time required for this bonding process varies from three to four months and in some cases can take as long as six months, depending on the bone and type of implant.

After the implant is anchored to the bone, it is uncovered and tested for stability. If it is secure, the rebuilding of the replacement teeth begins. The replacement teeth can vary from single tooth to an entire mouth of teeth, depending on how many implants were placed.

The total time involved from placement of the implants to delivery of the replacement teeth is between 4 and 7 1/2 months with variances determined by the complexity of the case. It is always interesting to see a patient’s building enthusiasm as the long awaited day approaches and then to witness the gratification the feel with their new teeth. It is usually reflected in the big smile that they want everyone to see.

The use of dental implants has grown tremendously in the past 15 years. Ove that time, new techniques to place implants stimulate bone regeneration have been developed and more are on the horizon. Before long, we expect to see new materials developed that will stimulate the growth of new bone to replace last bone. We will also see new techniques and materials that will shorten the bonding time of implants to the bone.

Many dentists have training with implants. Some have been trained only to place or build on the implants. Others are experienced in both placing and building on dental implants. Dental schools are teaching basic implant techniques. Through articles like this we hope to increase public awareness about dental implants – and to offer renewed hope for those denture wearers who may have long ago forgotten the feeling of comfortable, fully functioning teeth.

These are two extremes in the world of the denture wearer. Each of these individuals is speaking the truth as he has experienced it. For most people the truth lies somewhere in between these two extremes. We are all physically unique individuals. What works for one person won’t necessarily be correct for another. Dentures are custom made to each individual’s mouth. Success or failure depends on the bone and tissue support of the individual and the skill and experience of the dentist.

If you have ever considered the possibility that you may someday need to go to al denture there some facts you should be made aware of.

• There is a gradual, continuous loss of bone support under the denture. Just because the denture fits well at age 40 does not mean that there will be enough bone at age 65 to support a denture in comfort and still function well.

• The lower denture does not normally form a suction. The only thing that holds it in place is the tongue. Any movement of the tongue tends to dislodge the lower denture.

• The denture is a solid chewing surface. It may act like a teeter-totter. That is, if you put pressure on one side, the other side tends to ride up and come loose.

• The upper denture covers the palate. It inhibits, sensations of taste, temperature (hot and cold), and the texture of food.

• Chewing ability is affected by the amount of pressure that the denture can place on the gums without causing pain. In other words, you can chew as hard as you can tolerate the denture pinching the gums. This is about 1/6 the normal chewing force available to a person with natural teeth.

• Dentures are a prosthetic device. They are artificial substitutes for natural teeth. If you had an artificial leg you would not expect to run a mile in four minutes. A similar comparison is true for dentures - they are not as efficient as a normally functioning set of natural teeth.

First and foremost, invest in your health, take time, energy and money it necessary to keep your natural teeth.

There are excellent dental services available. See to it that you and your children get the proper preventative care to maintain your teeth for a lifetime.

If you have existing dentures that do not seem to be functioning properly consider replacing them. You may have unique problems that require special construction of dentures. There are soft linings that can be fitted to dentures to help with sore spots. Available to us today are dental implants,. These implants can stabilize dentures or completely replace the dentures with teeth firmly anchored to the jawbone.