Dental Implants
When your teeth are lost, broken, or failed due to root canal or gums-relating problem, the teeth may be replaced with implants. Implants provide many benefits. Think of implants as roots of teeth. Thus implants are a good solution to tooth loss not only because they look and feel like natural teeth, but also help restoring the function and appearance of the missing teeth without cutting healthy adjacent teeth for bridges. Additionally, implants preserve the jaw bone and prevent the gum shrinkage resulting from missing teeth.

What are implants?
Dental implants are artificial tooth roots that are surgically anchored to the jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge in place. One of the major benefits of implants is that they do not rely on neighboring teeth for support and they are permanent and stable.

What are implants made of?
Implant material is made from different type of metallic and bone-like ceramic materials that are compatible with body tissues and bonds well with bone.

How are implants placed?
First, a general dentist, oral surgeon, or other specialist will place the implant’s anchor in the jaw. The placement can last several hours, and it may take as long as six months for the jaw bone to grow around the anchor to hold it firmly in place. Once the implant is stable and the gums have healed, the dentist or specialist makes the artificial teeth and fits them to the post portion of the anchor. The dentist will work with you to create an implant that fits well and is comfortable and attractive.

Who places the implants?
Depending upon the training, general dentists, oral surgeons, or other specialists can place implants.

Who should get implants?
Implants are not an option for everyone because implants require patients to be in good health, and to have healthy gums and adequate bone structure to support the implants. While lack of adequate bone support is a limitation, additional procedures may be available to create a good implant site. People who are unable to wear dentures also may be good candidates. The success rate for implants decreases dramatically among those who suffer from chronic problems, such as clenching or bruxism, or systemic diseases, such as un-controlled diabetes. Additionally, people who smoke or drink alcohol heavily may not be good candidates. For more information, please discuss with the dentist.

What is the difference between implants and dentures?
While implants are permanently fixed in the mouth, dentures are removable. A conventional removable full denture depends upon support from the bone and soft tissues rather than being solidly fixed in place; as a result, dentures may not offer as much stability as implants.

How do I care for implants?
Poor oral hygiene is a main reason why some implants fail. It is important to floss and brush around implants at least twice a day. Additional dental cleanings (up to four times per year) may be recommended to ensure that your gums remain healthy.

How will I adjust to implants?
Most people adjust to implants immediately; however, some people feel slight discomfort and notice differences in chewing or speech for a short time. But you will soon see a difference in your confidence level and enjoy your new smile.

Types of Implants

Individual Tooth Replacement: When you are missing either one or several teeth, each missing tooth is replaced with an implant. The implant teeth will have the look, feel, and function like normal teeth.

Implant-Supported Bridges: When you are missing several teeth, two or more implants may be used to support a bridge. An implant-supported bridge does not require support from adjacent teeth.

Implant-Supported Partial Dentures: When you are missing several teeth, the implants may be used to replace missing ones to support the partial. An implant-supported partial eliminates the necessity of clasps. Thus, it not only improves the esthetics, especially when the clasps are in the front, but also avoids weaken the teeth that the clasps embracing.

Implant-Supported Full Dentures: When you are missing all the teeth on the upper or lower jaw or both, the implants may be used to support and to keep the dentures stay in the mouth to chew better, laugh and smile without coming loose. The existing dentures can be modified to fit the implants to save time and money.

Implant Experience
Dr. Frank Dan Tran has obtained numerous post educations advanced training in implant placement and restoration, and received the Fellowship from International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI) (http://www.icoi.org). Dr. Frank Dan Tran has placed and restored hundreds of simple and complex implant cases. Time and money can be saved when implants are placed and restored by the same dentist.

Timing
The sooner the implant is placed after the tooth is lost the better because once the teeth are lost, the bone and the gum will shrink. Consequently, the remaining teeth will shift causing possible TMJ joint and gum problems. It also compromises chewing ability, nutritional intake and health thereafter. If the tooth has been missing for sometimes, costly additional bone graft procedure may be needed to support the implants before placement. If good bone remains intact, the implant can be placed right after a tooth is extracted.

Comfort
The discomfort can be greatly reduced during and after the implant placement if the trauma is minimized. Dr. Frank Dan Tran takes pride in being able to place implants with utmost care and gentleness. When returning for a week post op check, patients are usually pleased with the comfort they experienced during and after the implant placement with Dr. Frank Dan Tran. Occasionally, oral sedation is also used with implant placement to provide extra comfort level to patients.

Cost
Unfortunately, implants may be costly. However, implant turns out to a better investment of health in the long run because it can last a long time, preserve jaw bone, not cut on healthy adjacent teeth, and provide the quality of life of a healthy mouth. Free-interest financial can be obtained to receive a proper treatment that can last a lifetime.