dental implants, dentures implants, dental implant procedure

Enjoy Life Again!

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Tooth Loss

A common condition, tooth loss, affects over 125 million Americans. Sadly, the difficulties associated with missing teeth are socially crippling. These people often avoid social gatherings that center around food, which may be difficult to eat. You need not live with the embarrassment of missing teeth any longer. The answer may be Tooth Replacement Therapy.
If you or someone you know, are experiencing any of the following difficulties, you should consider Tooth Replacement Therapy.

The loss of one or more teeth

Impending loss of a bridge when a tooth fails

Unattractive changes in facial features

Lack of confidence when speaking or smiling

Difficulty chewing certain foods

Loose denture or partial denture

Embarrassment of missing teeth

Dental implants are designed to provide a foundation for replacement teeth that look, feel, and function like natural teeth. The person who has lost teeth regains the ability to eat virtually anything and can smile with confidence, knowing that teeth appear natural and that facial contours will be preserved.
The implants themselves are tiny titanium posts that are placed into the jawbone where teeth are missing. They are essentially replacing the root of the lost tooth. The bone bonds with the titanium, creating a strong foundation for life-like teeth. In addition, implants can help preserve facial structure, preventing the bone deterioration and premature aging which occurs when teeth are missing.

Dental implants are changing the way people live! With them, people are rediscovering the comfort and confidence to eat, speak, laugh and enjoy life. Implants also help preserve facial structure, preventing the bone deterioration that can cause premature aging.
If, like many others, you feel implant dentistry is the choice for you, we ask that you undergo a dental/radiographic examination and health history. You may find your health history form on this web site and fill this out prior to your first visit. During this consultation visit, your specific needs will be discussed with Dr. Ken Parrish and Dr. Robert Schroering. Your questions and concerns are important to us and our team will work with you and your restorative dentist very closely to help make your procedure a success.

What is a dental implant?

Dental implants are titanium anchors which act as tooth root substitutes. Titanium is the most biocompatible element that we can use in the body. No one has ever been recorded with a cross reaction of rejection of this metal. The implants are gently placed into the jawbone. Small abutments are then attached to the implant, which protrude through the gums. These abutments provide stable anchors for artificial replacement teeth.

The Surgical Procedure

Immediate loading

Dr. Parrish and Dr. Schroering use some of the most advanced techniques in implant dentistry. This usually allows them to eliminate having to perform two surgical procedures. The implant placement and abutment placement are done the same day. On most procedures for front teeth, Dr. Parrish and Dr.Schroering can even place the temporary crown at the same surgical appointment. So the patient can have their unhealthy tooth removed and replaced with a new implant and the temporary crown placed the same day.

This enables many patients to have only one appointment where the tooth is extracted and the temporary fixed tooth is cemented on the very same day. Dr. Parrish and Dr. Schroering find that this can take place in about 85% of the cases. This is the ideal situation for most patients. Patients can return to work the next day and have very little, if any, discomfort.

Two stage approach

For some patients, the placement of dental implants involves two surgical procedures. First, implants are placed within the jawbone. For the first three weeks to six months following surgery, the implants are beneath the surface of the gums, gradually bonding with the jawbone. Patients should be able to wear temporary dentures and eat a soft diet during this time. At the same time, the patient’s restorative dentist designs the final bridgework or denture, which will ultimately improve both function and aesthetics.

After the implant has bonded to the jawbone, the second phase begins. Dr. Parrish or Dr. Schroering will uncover the implants and attach a small healing abutment. Then, the patient’s referring dentist will be able to start making the new teeth. An impression must be taken. Then, abutments or attachments can be connected to the implants. The teeth replacements are then made over the abutments or attachments. The entire procedure usually takes six weeks to eight months. Most patients do not experience any disruption in their daily life. Most patients resume normal activity the day after surgery. Most return to work the following day without having to take any pain medication.

The Dental Implant Procedure

No more waiting!

Tooth extraction and implants completed in the same procedure.

View a short video explaining the implant procedure 1.24 MB

If the surrounding bone and gum are intact and healthy an immediate implant placement can be considered. Proper diagnosis is critical to a predictable outcome. Having your treatment done by highly trained and experienced implant surgeons working with the most high tech equipment available means you can expect the best outcome possible.

An esthetic final restoration requires that the tooth extraction and implant placement maintain the gum and bone. Traditional methods of extraction resulted in loss of bone and gum. Waiting to place an implant later actually results in the loss of more bone and gum. Drs. Schroering and Parrish have extensive experience in minimally traumatic extraction and implant placement.

The implant is placed at the time of extraction so you only have to go through one surgical appointment. Healing time is decreased by months, meaning you get your final crown that much sooner

The implant is placed at the time of extraction so you only have to go through one surgical appointment. Healing time is decreased by months, meaning you get your final crown that much sooner.

An implant placed at the time of tooth extraction provides a rigid scaffold to which bone cells can adhere and actually increases the speed of bone growth. Generally a bone paste should be placed in the spaces between the implant surface and wall of the socket to insure good bone fill.

After the healing period and the bone has bonded to the implant the next stage can begin. Models of your teeth and implant are taken, an abutment (a post that is made to fit your implant) is attached, and then a crown is cemented to the abutment.

The final cemented implant crown should look, feel and function like your natural teeth.

For patients who meet certain clinical criteria the tooth can be removed, the implant placed, and a temporary crown placed in the same appointment!!

In other cases different abutment types can be attached to implants for an Implant Bar Supported Overdenture that snaps in place, does not move, and eliminates all pressure off the gums while maintaining the existing bone. This is a denture, is removable, and must be taken out daily for cleaning

Another option that can be used under complete and partial dentures are retentive O-ring restorations. The male attachment is on the implant, with a precisely fitting female attachment in the denture or partial. These still require some gum support but keep the dentures from lifting up and moving. This is a denture that is removable, and must be taken out daily for cleaning.

For those patients missing all their lower teeth a popular option is the “fixed detachable” or hybrid denture. After placement it stays in all the time and can only be removed by your dentist.

For those patients who have not lost significant amounts of bone “standard” crowns and bridges can be done on a full arch of dental implants. These are cemented in crowns just like those placed on natural teeth. This is the most natural option for replacement of all teeth.