What are Implants?
Implants are a remarkable procedure. Implants
can replace any or all of your teeth. The implant becomes
integrated with your bone and acts like a bolt which ultimately
supports a new tooth. Some of the advantages of implants for
patients who wear dentures are denture stability, increased
ability to chew and enjoy their food along with increased
patient comfort, appearance and confidence.
The surgery and restoration of the implant are both performed by Dr. Dunn.
Types of Implants
 ROOT
FORM IMPLANTS
Root form implants are the most popular type
of implants used in dentistry today. These implants can be
either a screw shaped or cylinder shaped implant. They are
used when there is sufficient height and width of bone to
accommodate the implant. These implants can be used in all
areas of the mouth.
  MINI
IMPLANTS
These are 1.8 mm diameter implants that can
be placed in your lower jaw. It is a one step procedure that
involves minimally invasive surgery and no sutures. The indication
for these implants are for patients that have an existing
lower denture that they cannot keep stable in their mouth
due to severe resorbtion of their jaw. In about two hours
the implants can be placed and your existing lower denture
retrofitted to the implants. There is usually minimal discomfort
after the procedure that can be controlled with Advil or Tylenol.
There is no waiting time. You can eat immediately.
Click for more
information on Mini Dental Implants!
Related Implant Procedures
BONE TISSUE BANKS
There are several accredited bone tissue banks
in our country. The American Red Cross is one of them. These
tissue banks are where we obtain the bone that we use for
patients who need grafting procedures.
GUIDED BONE REGENERATION
This procedure is used to generate additional
bone at implant sites that do not have enough width or height
of bone to accommodate root form implants.
TOOTH SOCKET PRESERVATION
When a tooth is removed that is going to have
an implant placed after the extraction site has sufficiently
healed a bone grafting procedure is performed at the time
of the extraction to preserve the height and width of the
bone. Even with completely normal healing there is some resorption
or loss of bone and gum resulting in less height and width
than were present prior to the tooth extraction. If this procedure
isn't performed as much as 25% of the width of bone can be
lost within one year.
How Are Root Form Dental Implants Placed?
 Step
One:
The gum is gently folded back and a space is
prepared for the implant to be placed.
 Step
Two:
The dental implant "anchor"
is put into place.
 Step
Three:
A temporary cap is placed on the implant and
the gum tissue is repositioned around the implant. The implant
is left alone for several months so the bone can attach to
the implant and create a secure anchor.
Restorative Phase:
 Step
One:
After the implant has had a chance to attach
to the bone tissue, the temporary cap is removed from the
anchor and a post is attached to the anchor.
 Step
Two:
The implant is now ready for a prosthesis. An
impression is taken of the implant and the appropriate prosthesis
(crown, bridge
or overdenture) is made.
 Step
Three:
The prosthesis is then attached to the implant(s).
Considering a Dental Implant?
If you are considering a dental implant, Contact
Us for an evaluation appointment. Dr. Dunn or Dr. Castro
will perform an evaluation to determine whether you are a
good candidate for a dental implant. If you are a good candidate
for an implant, Dr. Dunn or Dr. Castro
will provide you with further information to help you decide.
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