Computerized Preparation for Implants
For Better Health and a Great Smile
For a patient to receive optimum care it is absolutely necessary to properly diagnose their problem, and accurately implement a well-planned strategy for treatment. As a means of fulfilling this important obligation, our dental professionals have demonstrated to our patients that we have the foresight to employ some very modern and sophisticated software technology known as "Materialise." This powerful software, developed by the dedicated people at SimPlant, not only provides our industry experts with a means to preplan every minute detail of treatment, but it can also provide the dental patient with a very comforting depiction of everything that will be done to improve their dental health.
To begin the process, after a patient has been diagnosed as a good candidate for an implant, the patient needs to have a CT scan of their upper, or lower jaw, depending on which is in need of restoration, or repair. If the patient so chooses, they may take advantage of receiving a significant discount by using one of our joint partnership diagnostic centers to do the scan. One such center is our long trusted partners at Spectra Medical.
Within 48 hours of receiving the CT scan, one of our experts will have constructed a complete and exact three-dimensional replica within the software's virtual environment, based on the scan. By using this groundbreaking software the surgeon will be able to perform a thoroughly detailed sizing and structural analysis by using the patient’s 3-D model. This will allow the skilled professional the ability to determine the best course of action for achieving long-lasting patient health through proper planning for dental treatment.
To achieve the natural look and durable function of a restoration procedure, it may sometimes be necessary to perform an additional procedure to correct natural bone loss. This is usually done in one of two ways. A procedure called Guided Bone Regeneration, also known as bone grafting is sometimes used, or another alternative is known as a sinus-lift. The amazing SimPlant software makes it possible to quickly detect the extent of natural bone loss, and effectively determine whether either of these procedures would be of benefit to the patient.
One benefit of the Materialise software that should be recognized is the ability to show the patient exactly what the results will look like within the three dimensional virtual environment. This also gives the patient more confidence and allows them to make a better informed choice about the dental procedure.
In the past, one of the most popular options for repairing a missing tooth was to replace it with a bridge. Although this is an effective dental method for replacing a tooth, it requires that the healthy teeth on either side of the gap are damaged by grinding, to allow them to hold the bridge in place. Also, in the case of a young person who has a bridge, they are most likely going to require multiple repairs, adjustments, or replacement of the apparatus during their lifetime. Replacing a single missing tooth with a three unit bridge is still the most popular form of repair, due to its initial low cost, however, when you consider overall durability and function, the implant far surpasses the bridge. As in the case of the aforementioned young person who needed a missing tooth solution, the implant would also be a more cost-effective choice based on the fact that it would not require the extensive repeat maintenance; thus, making it the best choice financially as well.
There is a huge demand for solutions to missing teeth in today's society. The average adult is missing anywhere from two to seven teeth, and literally millions of elderly people have no teeth at all. People with missing teeth need to realize that due to an uneven load across the gap where their tooth used to be, the bone will begin to degenerate. The lack of bone can cause thinning of the lips, and can lead to the chin beginning to recede. With time, this can become so severe that it can significantly change the appearance of the face and bone structure.
Modern technology has made many advancements and breakthroughs in the dental industry. Implants are one of these breakthroughs that has revolutionized dentistry, and provided patients with a much healthier, safer, and more durable solution to the problem of missing teeth. While the initial costs for a single tooth replacement implant can equal or exceed that of a three unit bridge, over time the cost will equal out, simply because of the implant's steadfast durability. The obvious choice for patients who would like to minimize multiple costly repairs or replacement visits to the dentist is the implant.
Great technological strides have been made in modern day development of materials used to perform dental surgery and implants. Through the use of biomaterials, Guided Tissue Regeneration, and sophisticated metal alloys, our dentistry experts are able to provide our patients with much more durable and more practical solutions than ever before. The results are amazing, and look so natural that they go undetected by the untrained eye.
It is extremely important in today's society to make a good impression when meeting new people. Displaying an attractive smile is a good first step, in making an initial encounter a success. You certainly would not want to send a representative of your company to meet with clients if they obviously have poor dental hygiene. Someone with yellow stained teeth or obvious cavities does not make a very good first impression, and will leave prospective clients and potential friends with the impression that they do not take their dental health and hygiene very seriously. This will likely give them reason to choose not to form an association with you or your company. So you can see the importance of having an attractive smile, both for business and personal reasons, and a little additional expense and effort to achieve this is certainly justified.
The initial diagnostic analysis will be made based on a panoramic x-ray. If the patient proves to be a good candidate for an implant, they will then be sent to get the CT scan. After the 3-D model has been made and examined thoroughly by our experts, a plan of action will be formulated. The patient will then be presented with all of the available choices for achieving optimum results in their case. At this time, they will also be able to see the results of each procedure within the virtual environment of the 3-D modeling software. Our experts will answer and address all of the patient's questions and concerns at this time.
The dental procedure for placing the implant should take less than 45 minutes for the surgeon to implement, providing that bone grafting is not necessary. In the cases were grafting is necessary, the surgeon will use a special tool to acquire fragments that can be used from the natural jawbone. If there is not enough natural jawbone available our experts will use a safe and effective man-made material as a substitute.
The new implant base will be one composed of a space-age “nano-titanium” affixed to the bone with perfectly sized titanium screws. To achieve the best long-term results, these screws must be allowed to grow into the bone over a predetermined period of time before placing the finalized version of a permanent crown.
A new and popular dental procedure that is being advertised is known as “teeth in an hour.” In the past, this is been considered unsafe and unreliable, but due to the three dimensional modeling technology that is available, templates can be made for the surgeon to use to precisely drill holes to place the implant, and a permanent crown is immediately affixed to the implant. However, this dental procedure runs the risk of having the screws grow into soft tissue rather than bone, and can lead to catastrophic failure of the implant. Which basically means it will fall out. Although there has been some “special case” success with this procedure, the most reliable method is to take the “build from the ground up” approach and insure that each step is successful before proceeding to the next. This is the best way to be confident that the implant will last for many years.
One thing is for certain, if you are missing teeth, you really do need to address the situation and do something about it. Not only can it lead to a less than youthful appearance, more pronounced wrinkles, thinning lips, and distorted facial bone structure due to accelerated bone loss, but it can also adversely affect the way that you chew your food, and the entire digestive process. It really is a problem that can have some very unpleasant consequences. These consequences can be avoided simply by making a choice to do something about it. Our experts can help you make that choice, and will use cutting edge modern dental technology to make it a reality. Dental implants are the right choice for the concerned patient that desires the most natural looking, natural feeling, and superior functioning solution.
Make that call today!
