Patients with missing or damaged teeth often inquire about dental implants. Dental implants can restore not only your natural smile but also your oral health and overall wellness.
At JM Dental of Westbury, we focus on bringing you advanced implant care close to home. Digitally guided surgery techniques enable us to place your new implant with greater precision, resulting in a long-lasting restoration with fewer potential complications.
About Guided Dental Implant Surgery
Guided surgery uses digital models of your hard and soft oral tissues to place the dental implant posts in their ideal positions. We use CBCT (Cone Beam Computed Tomography aka 3D Xray) scanning technology to create these models. CBCT is a sophisticated type of X-ray that captures detailed images and enables our doctors to take your individual anatomy into account when planning your surgery.
Advanced guided surgery software helps your doctor determine the exact placement and angle at which your new dental implant will best support your restoration. The procedure eliminates guesswork and helps the doctor avoid potential issues.
With guided surgery, your procedure will be faster and less invasive, and your chances of successful implantation will increase.
Placing Your New Dental Implant: Step By Step
Step 1: Consultation
You and your doctor will discuss your needs and the outcome you desire. The doctor will take a complete medical and dental history and share any information you may need to make your decision.
Step 2: 3-D Digital Scans and Planning
Next, we use the CBCT scanner to understand your anatomy and determine whether you are a suitable candidate for dental implants. If you are missing the healthy bone volume needed to support an implant, guided surgical procedures may help you avoid a wait for a bone graft to enhance your jaw by selecting a precise position.
Step 3: Guided Surgical Procedure
Using a 3-D printed surgical guide, your doctor will pinpoint an opening in the bone for your implant anchor. They will place the implant in the jawbone and suture your gums to protect them.
Step 4: Healing Process
As your jaw heals, the bone material will grow and bond to the biocompatible titanium. This process, known as osseointegration, ensures a natural feel.
Step 5: Final Restoration
After the healing period, your dentist will scan the new implant and design an abutment which is a custom made post that will hold your porcelain crown in place. Finally, we will place your new porcelain crown on the abutment and complete the process.
Advantages of Dental Implants
- Attractive appearance: A dental implant blends in with your smile. Unless someone knows you have a new implant, they will not be able to distinguish it from your natural teeth.
- Natural feel: Chewing, smiling, and speaking feel natural with dental implants, unlike with bridges and dentures.
- Easy care: Unlike bridges and conventional dentures, you will not need elaborate care routines to keep your implant healthy. Brushing, flossing, and visiting us regularly will help you keep your implant strong.
- Boosts jaw health: A dental implant provides the same chewing stimulation as a natural tooth. This stimulation keeps the jawbone strong and prevents atrophy.
- Preserves alignment: If you leave a space between your teeth, they will drift into it, causing malocclusion. A dental implant keeps your teeth in their intended locations and helps you avoid problems like an uneven bite.
Learn More About Dental Implants
We would love to answer your questions about guided surgery for dental implants. We believe this technique has the potential to make surgery safer and more effective and to help your implant last longer. Ask your dentist about our unique method.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Implants
Who is a good candidate for dental implants?
Nearly all healthy adult patients can receive dental implants. Exceptions include patients who smoke and patients who have severe, untreated conditions that affect the immune system.
How should I care for my dental implant?
Brushing twice a day, flossing once a day, and keeping up with recommended dental check-ups should be all you need.
How long do dental implants last?
The implant post may last decades or potentially a lifetime. The crown may experience normal wear and tear and may need replacement every 10 to 15 years.
What is the success rate for dental implants?
In healthy patients, the success rate is upward of 95 percent.
What can cause dental implant failure?
If you do not take proper care of your dental implant, you may develop a type of gum disease called peri-implantitis. This condition is one of the leading causes of implant failure and weakens the tissue supporting your anchor.
Our team at JM Dental of Westbury invites you to reach out and learn more about our implant procedures. We can help brighten your smile, improve your oral health, and enhance your quality of life. Please get in touch with our office to schedule your consultation today!