Show #408 Airing Sunday, 11/18/07
Do you "miss" smiling due to "miss"-ing teeth? Here to explain how dental im"plants" can help your smile "blossom" again is our dental expert, Dr. Steven Marsh.
Question:In the past, what could dentists do to restore missing teeth?
Answer: Missing teeth were often replaced through partial dentures, which are removable. Dentures in/Dentures out
Permanent bridges could be used for missing teeth.
Or the space was left. Leaving the space can cause the other teeth to shift, and the person also does not chew as effectively with these spaces.
Question:Do we have other choices today?
Answer: During the last 20 years, a move has been made towards dental implants, which are wonderfully effective.
Question:What's an implant?
Answer: First, the implant (most commonly made of titanium) is placed in the bone of the jaw. An oral surgeon or periodontist commonly does this procedure. The bone must then grow around the implant for approximately four months. At that time, the restorative dentist makes a post that screws into the implant. This post used to be metal, but now it can be ceramic, for a more natural appearance.
In some cases, a temporary crown can be placed on the post at this point. Otherwise, a porcelain crown is created to fit over the post, looking like a real tooth.
Question:Can you show us an example or two?
Answer: This photo shows the ceramic post, and the finished implant.
Before and After Norman
This tooth was lost due to an injury.
Missing tooth.
An implant was used and a post screwed into it.
Post for Implant/Post for Crown.
You can see that a temporary post was used, where the metal showed. But the permanent crown is all ceramic and very natural looking.
Temp/Final
Question:What if someone is missing multiple teeth?
Answer: Multiple implants can be used for multiple missing teeth.
Before Implant K/Before Post K; After Front K/After Top K
Can dental implants plant a smile back on your face? To find out more, give Dr. Marsh's office a call.
