Dental Implants in Redding
Dental implants have had a considerable impact on modern dentistry – offering a highly viable solution to replacing missing teeth. A dental implant is essentially an artificial tooth root that is placed, or implanted, into your jaw to which a dental crown is then attached for a complete tooth that looks and even feels like a real tooth. Being a prosthetic body part, a dental implant falls with the domain of prosthodontics.
Dental implants can replace:
- A single tooth
- Multiple teeth
- All of your teeth (implant dentures or fixed bridges)
Are You a Candidate?
Not everyone is a candidate for dental implants, however a large majority of patients are. Some difficulty occurs for dental implants, placed into your upper jaw because of their close proximity to the hollow sinus cavity.
In order for an implant to be placed into the jawbone, there must be a sufficient amount of room and bone integrity (to hold the implant) present for predictable success. Fortunately, various bone-grafting techniques are available to supplement deficient bone.
Bone Preservation Materials and Grafting Techniques
We only use synthetic bone grafting materials (ALLOPLASTS). The mineral Beta Tri-Calcium Phosphate we choose to use is FDA approved for human grafting. This material is turned over and replaced with the patient’s own bone within 3-6 months. We do not use human cadaver bone or collagen (ALLOGRAFTS) nor do we use cow, pig or horse bone or collagen derived from animals (XENOGRAFTS). We use TEFLON (PTFE) membranes to temporarily retain the bone grafting material for about a month then they are removed.
Computer Guided Surgery
The best dental implants, like those placed by Dr. Wright, have very high success rates of up to 98% in healthy patients and still exceeding 90% in less healthy patients. The skill of the implant surgeon and restorative dentist, however, is the most critical factor for a successful prognosis.
To increase the prognosis for success and reduce the probability for complication, it is wise to have the same doctor plan, place and restore the dental implant. This removes the problems associated with treatment being administered by two different specialists and their respective responsibilities.
The SMARTFIX® System has been available in Europe for 15 years and about 12 in America. Computer Guided Surgery is now considered the “gold standard” in implant dentistry. Although much time goes into the planning and design phase, the SMARTFIX® System significantly reduces the time and discomfort associated with dental implant surgery and shortens the healing time. SMARTFIX® uses Ankylos implants, which are designed, engineered and made in Germany and now owned by Dentsply, Sirona (USA).
The SMARTFIX® System differs from most of the other guided surgery implant systems in that it has been designed for the prosthodontics and surgery to be performed by the prosthodontist. Earlier systems relied on an oral surgeon or periodontist and a prosthodontist. Computer guided surgery can be utilized for a single or full arch (jaw) implant placement. The exceptional precision incorporated in the digital process allows fixed bridgework or dentures to be installed in the patient’s jaws at the same appointment as dental implant surgery for Same Day Teeth, All-on-4 or All-on-6 prostheses. Patients leave the clinic with teeth.
Medical Billing for Dentistry
Patients with medical insurance requiring an oral reconstruction or extensive dental treatment may be eligible for benefits payable by their medical insurance for a portion of the treatment provided that it is a PPO or AARP Medicare Advantage (HMO)
The Process – What To Expect
Dental implants take time to integrate into your jawbone. Typically, your first step includes implanting a sophisticated hollow titanium screw into the jawbone that will undergo a process known as osseointegration to fuse with the surrounding bone. Several months may be required for this step. There is minimal discomfort associated with implant placement.
Afterwards, we place an abutment connector onto the titanium implant to which a dental crown can be attached. In some cases where the bone is sufficiently thick and dense we can place a provisional crown on the implant at time of surgery. In other cases we can place an implant and crown immediately after removal of a tooth.
The dental crown will be made specifically to blend in with your teeth for a complete artificial tooth that looks so close to a real tooth that friends, family, and strangers will not even be able to tell the difference. In a short time it will feel completely normal.
Discuss Your Options Today!
Dr. Wright only uses the very best implants on the market. To find out whether or not you are a good candidate for dental implants, please call us at (530) 962-8456. Should you have a question about prosthodontics treatment for yourself or family member, feel free to send Dr. Wright an email. He will be happy to respond within 48 hours.
Dr. Wright provides specialist prosthodontics services for Redding, Shasta and the neighbouring counties of Tehama; Siskiyou; Trinity; Modoc; Lassen; Plumas and Glenn.
