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. Mark L. Ethridge on Dental Implants
Dr. Mark L. Ethridge is a dentist who has answered some of the common questions Bizymoms visitors have about Dental Implants.
Q. What are dental implants?
A. Dental implants are surgically placed, titanium prosthetics that are used to replace the roots of missing teeth. Onto these implants, we can attach crowns or devices that allow for the attachment of a full or partial denture.
Q. What are the benefits of dental implants?
A. The benefits of dental implants are that missing teeth can be replaced without the need to prepare or involve the surrounding teeth and without the need to use a removable prosthetic like a partial denture. They also provide for better hygiene because they can be brushed and flossed just like a natural tooth. They allow for better bone retention because tooth loss usually leads to the loss of the underlying bone and that can lead to restorative and cosmetic problems in the future. Implants are very cosmetic, allowing us to restore missing front teeth in a way that makes them indistinguishable from a natural tooth.
Q. How long does an implant last?
A. Research has shown that once an implant "integrates" (once the bone has attached to it) then the implant should last a lifetime provided the bone is not lost. Barring injury or systemic disease, and provided the patient observes good oral hygiene techniques, the implant should last for the life of the patient. The prosthetic devices that we place on the implant (dentures and crowns) may not last that long, but they last at least as long as their traditional counterparts and they are easily replaced when the time comes.
Q. What are implants made of?
A. The actual implant that is surgically placed is made of titanium. This metal has a unique property that allows the bone to integrate into the surface of the implant making it very strong. The prosthetics that we place onto the implants are made of a variety of traditional and contemporary metals and ceramics. Some crowns even use zirconium for very durable and highly esthetic restorations.
Q. Who is a candidate for implants?
A. Anyone with a missing tooth or a failing tooth that will be difficult or impossible to restore is a potential candidate for an implant. However, placement of an implant requires adequate bone in the area where the implant will be placed. Your dentist can determine if you are a candidate for an implant or refer you to a specialist who can make that determination.
Q. How are dental implants placed?
A. The dental implants are placed during a simple surgical procedure. The surgeon will make an incision to expose the underlying bone and then drill a precisely threaded hole in a predetermined location. The implant body is then threaded into this hole and the incision is closed with a suture. The implant is then allowed to rest for a period of a few weeks so that the bone integrates with it. When the surgeon determines that the implant is ready, the restorative dentist will then place the crown or denture on top of the implant.
Q. How long does it take?
A. The surgery to place an implant only takes a few minutes. It is a very minor surgery, and healing is usually much easier than following a tooth extraction. Once the implant is placed it takes a few weeks to a couple of months for the implant to integrate with the bone. During this time, a temporary can be placed if it is necessary for esthetics. When the surgeon determines that the implant is ready to be used, it usually takes a few days to a couple of weeks to make the prosthesis that will attach to the implant.
Q. How to contact Dr. Ethridge if we have further questions?
A. Dr. Ethridge can be contacted by calling the office at (972) 669-9060 or by office e-mail found in the contact link of the practice website: www.ethridgedds.com.
