Dental Implants – Are you a candidate?
by
Dr. Scott R. Harden
 Dental implants – replacements for missing teeth – have
certainly proven to be one of the most exciting and rewarding areas for
patients in my practice today.
A dental implant is a small man-made titanium fixture that serves as
the replacement for the root portion of a missing natural tooth. The
implant is placed in the bone of the upper or lower jaw and allowed to
bond with the bone and serve as an anchor for the replacement tooth.
Dental implants can be used to replace a single lost tooth or many missing
teeth. Replacement teeth supported by implants teeth look, feel and function
like natural teeth. Dental implants are a proven restorative option with
a long clinical history. Dental implants preserve the integrity of the
facial structure and reduce the inconvenience associated with tooth loss.
Anyone missing one or more teeth, or who wears a partial denture or
complete denture, should consider the viable alternative of implant therapy.
The benefit to the patient is very apparent. A partial denture patient
who undergoes implant/crown and bridge therapy, typically experiences
the most rewarding result. They transition from a removable appliance
that replaces several teeth, to a fixed restorative result that is fixed
in place and feels terrific. Further, they typically accomplish this
result within 8 to 12 weeks with relatively few appointments. By comparison,
a complete denture patient can also receive dental implants that support
crown and bridge across their entire arch, thus eliminating the need
for their removable complete denture. They can smile and chew with a
newfound confidence they often state is a dream come true. This process
is certainly more extensive and requires more appointments coupled with
a longer phase of treatment. However, the joyous outcome makes this process
very worthwhile.
To qualify yourself as a good candidate for dental implants, a thorough
evaluation is necessary to determine that dental implants are suitable
for you. At Fountain View Family Dentistry, we perform a thorough medical
history, oral exam, x-rays, photographs of your teeth, and other diagnostic
tests. We ensure careful planning and extensive interaction between our
restorative treatment, the surgeon, and laboratory technician, which
we refer to as the “triangle of success”. Success is increased
by following precise and systematic protocols that take into consideration
all aspects of treatment, creating a combined view of the desired final
outcome by all participants, including the patient.
A qualified implant recipient must have sufficient jawbone structure;
height, width and bone density are all considerations. The patient must
have a healthy mouth, good oral hygiene with a commitment to routine
recare visits to the dentist. Specific factors such as diabetes, bone
height of the jaw, psychological profile, and smoking are factors that
are screened for and must be accounted for with regards to implant recipients.
What is the patient’s perspective on implant therapy? Our patients
are enjoying this treatment. “Happiness is when reality meets expectations!” A
thorough consultation explaining the steps of therapy, interaction with
the surgeon and lab technician, financial consideration, expectations
of treatment, and the restorative outcome are all vital to a patient’s
happiness. Patients have expressed that dental implants provide better
eating, improved comfort, improved appearance, improved speech, convenience,
and overall improved self esteem
Our success is based upon many factors: Dr. Scott Harden has over 15
years of clinical expertise, our practice manger, Diane West, has over
20 years experience, a seasoned dental team that works very closely together
and has great communication, an unprecedented protocol for implant therapy
that allows personal patient care throughout the implant process, a great
communication network with our surgeon and dental technician. We shall
deliver superior dental care to our patients, but we also want to ensure
our patients have a wonderful dental experience and enjoy the process.
If you have any interest in receiving an evaluation for dental implants,
we invite you to contact Fountain View Family Dentistry at (770) 926-0000.
Sincerely,
Dr. Scott R. Harden
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