Dental Implants are a wonderful way to replace missing teeth. They can be used to replace a single tooth, support a bridge, support a denture, or support a partial denture. Dental implants provide a strong metal substructure for replacement teeth that have the look, feel, and function of natural teeth. Even for people who have been missing teeth for many years, dental implants restore their ability to eat properly, provide support for the face, and allow the return of natural function. A dental implant is a post made of titanium that is inserted into the jaw where teeth have been lost. Your bone will bond to the titanium, forming a solid foundation for your new teeth.
Dental implants are titanium posts that act very similarly to tooth roots. They are surgically inserted into the jawbone. Sometimes immediately, but usually after 4-5 months of healing, small posts called abutments are attached to the dental implant. These abutments come up through the gum and are the support for the crown or bridge that is planned for you.
For the first 4-5 months, your dental implants are healing into place. The bone is attaching to the dental implants and forming a strong bond. You will have some form of temporary teeth or removable appliance to eat with while you wait for the healing to take place. In the next phase of treatment, your implants are uncovered, and a healing cap is placed to form the gum tissue around the implant. This will take approximately one additional month. A new temporary bridge or crown will be made which now connects directly to your new implant.
Dr. Apsey will then start making your new teeth. He will make an impression of your abutments. The teeth replacements are then made over the abutments. The entire process spans six to eight months. Most patients can carry on a normal life during this process.
Dr. Apsey has decided many years ago to use mercury-free restorations for his patients. The reason is that the silver fillings (containing more than 50% mercury) release this mercury in vapor form throughout the day and this release increases during chewing function and if these mercury containing fillings are in contact with restorations (fillings or crowns) of dissimilar metal (like gold). Composite, porcelain and lab fabricated composite restorations are not only beautiful and unnoticeable but they are strong and prevent fracture. These dental fillings are beautiful and strong due to the fact that they are bonded to your tooth structure using state of the art bonding agents.
There are many advantages to bonded fillings (porcelain, resin, or lab fabricated resin). Tooth colored restorations are bonded to your teeth. The bonding process assures a tight seal with your tooth structure and a strengthened tooth is the result. Because of the bonding process, Dr. Apsey can be more conservative with your tooth structure saving as much of it as possible. The tooth colored materials are of similar hardness as compared to enamel and therefore they will not wear down the natural teeth in contact with them.
When one is lost, the others will begin to shift, causing possible TMJ dysfunction, fracture or loosening of other teeth, or possibly speech problems. Teeth also support your face and loss of a back tooth can cause a sunken appearance that may make you look older.
This is always part of surgery. You will leave the office with gauze in your mouth. You will also have additional gauze for when you get home. You should bite firmly on the gauze for 45-60 minutes following your procedure. The purpose of this is so that a blood clot will form. This is necessary for proper healing of your tooth extraction. If you need to replace the gauze, wet the gauze in tap water, squeeze it out and fold it twice. The wad of gauze should be large enough so that your remaining teeth are not in contact when you are biting. Dr. Apsey will also ask that you take it easy and rest after an extraction so that your blood pressure will not elevate. This will help you to prevent increased bleeding.
If swelling occurs you can place ice on your face for 10 minutes on and then 20 minutes off. Repeat this as often as possible for 24 hours. After 24 hours, you can apply moist heat to your face to help the swelling to go down.
After your tooth extraction avoid brushing the teeth near where the tooth was extracted for 24 hours. After that you can begin gentle cleaning with your tooth brush and floss. 24 hours after the extraction you can begin to rinse with warm salt water (1 teaspoon in a cup of warm water) after meals and before bed.
If a blood clot fails to form (usually due to using a straw, or smoking too early), a painful dry socket will form. This usually causes severe pain to start days after the extraction has occurred.p> To prevent this from happening, follow the above instructions as closely as possible. If you do develop pain after your extraction, do not hesitate to call the office and Dr. Apsey will have to see you to pack a medicated gauze into the extraction site. This will have to be repeated 3 times in total. This will take care of your discomfort and help you to get back to proper healing.
For many people, this is all that is needed. This involves impressions of your teeth and creation of clear custom rubber trays that fit your teeth snugly and hold the bleaching material against your teeth. You will do this treatment 30-60 minutes per night for 2 weeks. You also may wish to do the treatment while you sleep and we have a less concentrated solution that is safe for use all night. This method is effective for most people and is the least expensive method to brighten your smile.