Dentistry is the known evaluation, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases, disorders and conditions of the soft and hard tissues of the jaw (mandible), the oral cavity, maxillofacial area and the adjacent.
An Interview with Dr. Jonathan Ford on Dental Implants
Dr. Jonathan Ford is a dentist and has answered some of the common questions Bizymoms visitors have about Dental Implants.
Q. What are dental implants?
A. Dental implants are a great alternative to replace teeth. It is a titanium screw that is placed inside the jaw bones and once restored can look and function like natural teeth.
Q. What are the benefits of dental implants?
A. Dental implants are replacements for teeth. They function just like natural teeth, so you can chew and eat properly. They also look just like natural teeth, for those people concerned about esthetics. For those people with loose fitting denture, we can also place implants and connect them to a denture. The implants anchor the dentures and create a much tighter fit.
Q. How long does an implant last?
A. If proper oral hygiene is maintained implants last the rest of your life.
Q. What are implants made of?
A. Implants are made of titanium metal. If you ever had a knee or hip replaced, the materials are very similar to dental implants.
Q. Who is a candidate for implants?
A. Anyone who has lost or broken a tooth can have an implant. Even people with complete dentures can have implants placed.
Q. How are dental implants placed?
A. Dental implants are placed in a simple one hour procedure. It is done under local anthesia, just like a dental filling. We create a small hole in your jaw bone with a implant drill , and once the small hole is created, we slowly screw the dental implant into the bone. The bone needs to heal around the implant (called osseointegration). This process takes about 8-12 weeks. Once fully healed, we take impressions of the implants and attach a crown to the implant, so it can function just like any tooth in your mouth.
Q. How long does it take?
A. The surgery takes about an hour. From initially placing an implant to fully using and chewing on it, it usually takes 2-3 months.
Q. How to contact Dr. Ford if we have further questions?
A. You can always reach us through our webpage, www.FordDentalGroup.com. There is a link that emails me directly. You can also call us at 714-842-7431.
