Dr. Michael Nugent’s Implant Dentistry Review
What is a dental implant?
Often people refer to dental implant as a complete replacement tooth. However, a dental implant is actually a titanium cylinder that replaces a patient’s tooth root. Bone will fuse with the implant and secure the implant. Then and abutment is screwed into the implant and a porcelain crown is placed on the abutment. A complete tooth replacement is the implant, abutment and dental crown. A completely restored dental implant will look, feel and function just like a natural tooth.
Who can benefit from dental implants?
- Patients who want to have the dental solution that is the closest to what Mother Nature created.
- Patients who have lost a tooth and do not want a fixed bridge because fixed bridges damage the teeth adjacent to the missing tooth.
- Patients who cannot function comfortably with old fashioned dentures.
- Patients who have lost teeth and want to avoid removable partial dentures.
- Patients who desire the most technologically advanced and longest lasting tooth replacement method.
What type of patient is a candidate for dental implants?
Recent advances in implant technology allow almost all patients to be candidates for dental implants. The technology and biological understanding of implants and bone physiology have greatly refined dental implant techniques. Patients that were once told they were not candidates for implants can now enjoy the myriad of advantages of implant dentistry. Dr. Nugent will examine you and find the right implant solution for you.
What does getting a dental implant involve?
The first part of receiving a dental implant is the placement of the titanium implant into the jawbone by an oral surgeon. It is left undisturbed for several months while the bone fuses with the bone. Then the oral surgeon will uncover the implant and place a healing cover on the implant. The patient will see Dr. Nugent in about a week for detailed impression. Then the patent will return to Dr. Nugent so that he can attach the abutment and porcelain crown.
The implant placement can be done with just simple local anesthesia (the same anesthesia used for simple dental fillings). Dr. Nugent’s Father, Father-in-law and Mother-in-law all received their dental implants under local anesthesia. However, for the scared patient many different sedation options are available from the oral surgeon.
There are many advertisements for teeth in a day and teeth in an hour. Dr. Nugent did a tooth in an hour dental procedure on his Father. Under certain instances you can immediately place the abutment and crown on a newly placed implant. However, if exact protocols are not adhered too you can get catastrophic implant failure. This failure is due to excessive forces placed on the implant while the bone is healing. For more predictable and more “slam dunk” cases it is best to leave the implant undisturbed while the bone fuses to the dental implant.
Does a dental implant last?
For teeth replacement, nothing in dentistry will last longer than a dental implant. Depending on what studies you look out the long term success is 95 to 98%. Implants have been used for over 30 years and the technology and science of dental implants had progressed tremendously over the years.
How does the cost of a dental implant compare to other forms of dentistry?
Dental implants are slightly more expensive then dental bridges and partial dentures. If one factors in the tremendous long term success of dental implants, then dental implants are less expensive over the long term. On dental bridges the teeth adjacent to the missing tooth have to be aggressively down to accommodate the bridge. This aggressive cutting can lead the tooth to die and a root canal must be performed. The two biggest reasons dental bridges fail are due to failed root canals with resulting cracked teeth and cavities on the bridge teeth. Dental implant teeth will never need root canals and will never get cavities. Furthermore, with dental implants innocent neighbor teeth do not have to be cut down.
How does one care for dental implants?
Because dental implants so closely mimic natural teeth, you brush and floss dental implant teeth just like natural teeth. The number one comment on dental implants by Dr. Nugent’s patients is that they cannot even tell which tooth is a dental implant.
Is getting a dental implant painful? How much work will I miss?
Dental implants are not painful. Dr. Nugent’s Mother, Father and Mother-in-law reported no post-surgery discomfort. Dr. Nugent’s Father-in-law reported soreness that was alleviated by regular Advil. We recommend patients take off work the day of the dental implant surgery and the following day. However, most patients go back to work the next day.
Why should I replace missing teeth?
When teeth are lost the bone that once held the tooth is no longer stimulated. Thus, there is rapid bone loss in the first year with sustained bone loss in subsequent years. Although there are several teeth replacement options, only dental implants stimulate and preserve bone levels. Bone loss for missing teeth can lead to irregular chewing and shifting teeth. This abnormal chewing can lead to severe pain in the jaw. If multiple teeth are lost the patients facial contours can change as tissue collapses. Also, the tongue will enlarge to accommodate the space previously held by the teeth. The longer a patient goes with missing teeth is related to more extensive and complex treatment options. In conjunction with the more extensive and complex treatment options is the great financial cost of replacing missing teeth.
Come see why Friendswood Texas come to our office for dental implants. The short drive is worth it for many people because they want a dentist experienced in dental implants.