When you come to Meadowmont Dentistry for your implant or extraction, you can expect to be welcomed warmly by our friendly staff. We’ve created a soothing office environment that will help you relax and feel comfortable from the moment you come through our door. Everyone here wants you to be at ease and enjoy your time with us, no matter what type of procedure you’re having. Find more information about our dental implant and tooth extraction surgeries below.
Tooth Extractions
There are a variety of reasons why a tooth may need to be removed. In younger children, it could be a baby tooth that’s still adhering and interfering with the proper growth of adult teeth. Teens who are about to get braces or other orthodontic treatment might have overcrowding that needs to be addressed. Sports injuries, accidents, and other trauma to the face can crack teeth and render them unfixable. Wisdom teeth can be positioned poorly and become impacted, risking infection or other damage to the surrounding tissues. Or, it could be years of decay requiring a tooth to be extracted when it’s beyond repair.
No matter what the reason, if we believe that tooth removal is in your best interest, we’ll start with x-rays to examine its position and see if there might be any complications. We’ll assess your medical and drug history and discuss your options for anesthesia with you. We generally use local anesthesia, numbing the tooth as well as the surrounding gums and bone, but we may use additional sedatives, as needed. During the removal process, we’ll make sure the surrounding tissues aren’t damaged. In some cases, we’ll add bone-grafting material to the socket to preserve proper bone volume.
After your tooth extraction procedure, we’ll use gentle pressure to control any bleeding or small stitches, if necessary. Mild to moderate discomfort or swelling is normal, and normal over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen or aspirin should be sufficient to manage these symptoms. We may also recommend antibiotics to prevent infection, in some cases. You may need to ice the jaw and eat softer foods, but you should feel totally normal within a few days.
Dental Implants
State-of-the-art titanium dental implants are an outstanding long-term option for replacing teeth that have been lost or removed. It’s a surprisingly minor procedure, performed under local anesthesia with or without a sedative, as needed by the patient. The result will be a natural-looking tooth that looks and functions just like the natural teeth around it.
Implants are commonly used to replace missing teeth and improve chewing efficiency. They can boost your confidence and enhance your overall health. It is the healthiest and most satisfying way of replacing missing teeth. The implanted teeth don’t affect your speech or the way you eat. Your jawbone remains healthy and your facial structure won’t be impaired.
The first dental implant was performed in 1969, and there has been a continual increase in their use in the United States for decades. In the late 1900s, less than one percent of dental patients had implants. Now almost thirty percent use them for a multitude of purposes, such as facial prosthetics, single tooth restorations, to support bridges, to support dentures, and as anchor points in orthodontics. .
The general health of the patient is the focus of evaluation and planning prior to surgery, along with the health of mucous membranes, jaw bones, and adjacent, surrounding, and opposing teeth. Certain health conditions can increase the risk of failure, like poor oral hygiene, diabetes, osteoporosis, heavy smoking, and long term use of steroids.
The selected location for placement of the implants is based in part on bone type and mechanical factors. Because implants have no specialized connective tissue fibers that attach the tooth to the bone, the patient won’t feel any pressure when biting. The location of the implants must allow for proper force distribution. A series of tests can be performed to determine the mechanical reliability of the implants over the long-term.
A stent can be made before the surgical procedure for optimal implant positioning. CT scanning helps in identifying and avoiding vital structures, like the sinus and the inferior alveolar nerve.
Meadowmont Dentistry uses dental implant procedures to replace single teeth, multiple teeth with a bridge, all teeth permanently, or a supported set of removable
dentures. These procedures have success rates better than 95%, making them by far the most viable tooth replacement option for many of our patients.
In most cases, dental implants involve inserting a small, screw-shaped titanium post directly into the bone of the jaw to replace the missing tooth’s roots. After a healing period lasting a few months in most cases, the post will actually fuse directly to the surrounding bone and form a robust anchor for the custom-made crown that will be attached.
We can use dental implant procedures to replace single teeth, multiple teeth with a bridge, all teeth permanently, or a supported set of removable dentures. These procedures have success rates better than 95%, making them by far the most viable tooth replacement option for many of our patients. The only risks following these surgeries is poor ongoing oral hygiene, causing bacterial infection, or the use of excessive biting force. Ultimately, you can expect your dental implant and custom-matched crown to last many years with proper oral hygiene and regular dental cleanings and exams.
Dental Implants Problems and Solutions
The only typical risk following these surgeries is poor ongoing oral hygiene, causing bacterial infection, or the use of excessive biting force. Ultimately, you can expect your dental implant and custom-matched crown to last many years with proper dental hygiene, regular dental cleanings, and exams.
Minor complications during surgery could be excessive bleeding or nerve injury. Difficulties in the first six months could be infection or failing to osseointegrate. Long term issues could be inflammation in the soft tissue or loss of bone around the implant, called peri-implantitis. In rare cases mechanical failure of the titanium post or associated crown could occur.
The health of the person receiving the treatment or the health of the tissues in the mouth will be considered before treatment is recommended. The number of implants will be carefully considered. The angle and position of teeth, adjacent to the prospective implant, are evaluated with state of the art medical equipment. Gingival grafts may be employed to recreate ideal gingiva, or gums. All these assessments prior to surgery are intended to lower or eliminate risks.
Soft tissue reconstruction may have to be employed when soft tissue lining the inside of the mouth, called mucosa, is missing. A soft tissue gingival graft can be transplanted to the area. A strong band of attached gingiva will keep the implant healthy for years.
If the metal of the implant can be seen, the mucosal height can be improved by a connective tissue graft.
Dental Implants for Seniors
Even for only a single implant, seniors should have a complete medical check-up in addition to the thorough Meadowmont dental evaluation to make sure their health and jaw bone strength will be sufficient for the surgical procedure. In some cases, bone grafting is recommended. Recovery times may be longer, but healthy seniors would not be expected to have significant complications.
Losing teeth is a common occurrence for adults over 65 and can cause quality of life issues. Implants are generally a better solution then dentures, because they are more durable and last longer. They are also more natural looking and don’t have many of the chewing and cleaning issues associated with dentures. They will not adversely affect your social life and will give years of enjoyment without limitation.
Because implants are composed of durable titanium and are not prone to damage. Unlike dental bridges, they do require portions of the surrounding teeth to be removed, which can then subject them to potential cavities or decay.
Dental Implant Insurance
At Meadowmont Dentistry, payment for implant procedures can be accomplished in various ways. Many payment options are available including: cash, checks, credit cards, third part financing, and most dental insurance plans. You can sign up for Meadowmont’s own dental plan, where one low annual fee provides discounted charges with no waiting period and no coverage limits. Call for details.
Online payments can be made through a secure link.
Meadowmont Dentistry believes everyone deserves access to great oral health care.
Dental Implants Before and After
