Last week a patient was seen with severe periodontal disease. He was at the point where the gum tissue was so infected that he was going to lose all of his teeth. Dr. Castaneda presented him with different options and they agreed that the best treatment would be an implant support cosmetic denture. Our patient was so excited about finally being able to feel confident about smiling again!
Dr. Castaneda and the patient came to the conclusion that a fixed upper implant denture would be best, because it is almost like having your natural teeth and the cosmetic effect would be optimal. We place the implants accurately by first doing a radiographic guide. A radiographic guide is done by taking impressions and sending those impressions to our lab expert. Then after the lab has made the radiographic guide, we send that with the patient to the oral imaging center for a CT scan. At the imaging center they create a 3-D model for our lab experts. The lab then uses that model to create a surgical guide. This ensures that we have the most accurate information to place the implant into the jaw.
After 4 to 6 months of healing the patient will be ready for Dr. Castaneda to place the implants. We will keep you posted on this as the case progresses.
Implants are comfortable, attractive and will help you regain confidence in your smile. They are an alternative to bridges, partials or dentures. Implants look and feel like natural teeth. An implant basically is an artificial root that anchors to your jaw bone. Titanium (the material we use for the artificial root) isn’t recognized by the body’s immune system, so it is not rejected as an implant. It integrates with the jawbone to give a firm support to the artificial replacement that it will support.
Ideal candidates for dental implants should be in good health, have healthy gums, good oral habits for the aftercare and healthy jawbone to support the implants.
Implant placement does require several steps over a period of time ranging from 3 months to over 1 year depending on your specific needs. Here are the steps followed for implant therapy
1. The implant is inserted into the jawbone and allowed to heal
several months
2. A post is attached to the implant and a mold is taken for
fabrication of a permanent crown
3. A permanent tooth (crown) is attached after all healing is
complete.
Implants can be an important part of creating the best functional and cosmetic results for patients. Unlike a bridge you can floss in between the implant crown much like a natural tooth.
If you are interested in more information about implants please contact us to schedule a free consultation!
Did you know that any general dentist can legally advertise as a cosmetic dentist? This may not sound like a big deal, but you may be surprised to hear that a general dental degree typically does not include any training in cosmetic dentistry. Why should you be concerned about this?
A great cosmetic dentist must have the eye and instincts of an artist as well as a solid background in functional dentistry. When it comes to enhancing your smile with procedures like porcelain veneers, crowns, bonding, and dental implants, you do not want to choose just any ordinary dentist. A qualified cosmetic surgeon must do years of post-graduate training in order to master the techniques necessary to enhance your smile in a way that not only looks good, but also natural. [More]
In James Michener’s novel Centennial, Michener tells of an elderly Native American who lost his final tooth. Since he could no longer eat the tough jerky of the warrior and was reduced to eating the softer pemmican, he decided it was better remove himself from the tribe and die in the wilderness. Fortunately, in modern times losing one or more teeth isn’t the death sentence it used to be.
Thanks to modern technology, the entire tooth, root and all, can be replaced with a titanium implant and ceramic cap. The tooth portion is made out of tough ceramic called porcelain, which mimics the translucent qualities of natural tooth enamel. The root portion is made of titanium metal, which is well received by the body. Titanium is used in many surgical applications.
After a period of several months, the bone ossifies around the rough edges of the titanium screw, making the implant extremely stable. The new implant not only replaces the missing tooth, it stabilizes the neighboring teeth by filling the void where the extraction occurred.
If you suffer from tooth loss, and live in the Shawnee area, don’t give up; contact Dr. Castaneda today to schedule an appointment and find out more about dental implants.
