Dr. Amy Brooks
320 S. Green St., Morganton, NC 28655
Office of Oral Surgery
www.drbrooksnc.com
(828) 438-1010
(828)438-1044
DENTAL IMPLANTS
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
most foods as usual and can smile with confidence, knowing that teeth appear natural and that
facial contours will be preserved. The implants themselves are small titanium posts that are
placed in the jaw bone where teeth are missing. The bone grows to and fuses with the titanium
(osseous-integration), creating a strong foundation for artificial teeth. In addition, implants can
help preserve facial structure, preventing the bone deterioration that occurs when teeth are
missing. With dental implants, people are rediscovering the comfort and confidence to eat,
speak, laugh and enjoy life.
ADVANTAGES OF DENTAL IMPLANTS
Dental implants can be used in a variety of ways. In some instances they offer better
stand-alone solutions than conventional dental restorations such as fixed bridges and
removable dentures. You can brush and floss the dental implant crown as a natural tooth.
Keeping the implant and crown clean are very important to its success and longevity. Often
dental implants are placed to hold a removable denture more firmly and this converted denture
is called an “overdenture”.
IS THERE ENOUGH BONE FOR DENTAL IMPLANTS?
Dental x-ray images and clinical exams help determine if enough bone exists to place the
dental implants. Sometimes, in conjunction with a clinical examination, Dr. Brooks feels
comfortable in proceeding with the placement of a dental implant without a bone graft. Often,
a minor or major bone grafting procedure may be done prior to placing a dental implant.
ARE THERE ANY DANGERS THAT I SHOULD BE WORRIED ABOUT, WHEN
HAVING IMPLANTS PLACED?
Yes. While implants are over 90% successful, the most important risks to be aware of
are: infection, implant rejection, persistent numbness and pain. You can walk through the
airport metal detectors, have dental X-ray images taken and have an MRI scan of the head done
without interference or disruption to the dental implant. We would prefer patients to refrain
from using tobacco products and take only appropriate medication to optimize the health of
the dental implant/bone/gingiva relationship.
7/2015
CAN AN IMPLANT BE REJECTED?
Yes. Implants can be rejected, but not in the way we know “rejection” can occur in
organ transplants, like with kidneys and hearts. We know dental implants are bio-compatible.
There are no known allergic reactions to commercially-pure, titanium implants, which are the
most prevalent kind used today. But failures do occur. The failures we see in dental implants
can be explained more in theory, than in fact. For instance, bacteria can contaminate implants
causing bone loss and peri-implantitis. When this happens, the overall infection might cause
the implant to be lost. Naturally, great efforts are taken to ensure sterile conditions during
implant procedures, from the way the implants are packaged to the hygienic conditions in the
operating room.
APART FROM POTENTIAL PITFALLS, HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR THE
IMPLANTS TO “WORK”? The Procedure is Done in STAGES
The dental surgery is performed in two STAGES and may take upwards of 9 months to
complete treatment. Once a tooth is removed healing must occur for 4 months (STAGE ONE).
After that time a dental implant may be placed (STAGE TWO). Though it can vary for specific
reasons, the general rule of thumb is that implants placed in the mandible (lower jaw) heal in 4
months, while the maxilla (upper jaw) takes 6 – 7 months, before the final restorations or
dentures are placed on the implants. Augmenting the bone, performing sinus lifts, needing jaw
reconstruction, etc., will lengthen healing periods. Remember, healing times are related to
human biology. Healing cannot be made to go any quicker than how we were intended to heal.
WHEN AN IMPLANT FAILS, CAN ANOTHER BE PLACED IN THE SAME SPOT?
Usually, yes. We don’t often understand why an implant fails. When it does, the
implant is removed. If conditions are right, the site is prepared for another dental implant.
Sometimes this can be done at the time the implant is removed. Other times, the surgeon feels
it is better to try again only after a prescribed healing period.
7/2015