Dr.Robert J. Buhite is a Dentist who has answered some of the common questions Bizymoms visitors have about Dental Implants.
Q. What are dental implants?
A. An alternative to dentures, dental implants (small dental appliances that are inserted into the upper and lower jaws) help to restore the mouth that has little or no non-restorable teeth.
Q. What are the benefits of dental implants?
A. Dental implants are slowly replacing dentures used by some people, as they provide many advantages over traditional dentures. For some people, particularly persons with loose or poor fitting dentures due to flat ridges, or persons with multiple missing teeth who need support for crowns and bridges, implants may be considered a more appropriate alternative to fix the appearance of missing teeth than dentures. According to the American Academy of Implant Prosthodontics, implants help to accomplish the following:
· Reduce movement of dentures, bridges, and/or crowns
· Facilitate proper chewing
· Provide support and improved stability for removable dentures or
fixed bridge work
· Approximate the "feel" of natural teeth better than dentures
· Promote "denture self-confidence", as speech and appearance are
often improved
Q. How long does an implant last?
A. If a person is healthy and has great bone and very good home care, an implant can last a lifetime.
Q. What are implants made of?
A. According to the American Academy of Implant Prosthodontists, implants are made of biologically compatible materials which have undergone extensive testing over a period of several years. Since these materials are largely metals, such as titanium, and have never been living tissue, there is no likelihood of causing an antigen-antibody response which could cause rejection similar to that which sometimes occurs with heart and kidney transplants.
Q. Who is a candidate for implants?
A. There are many variables to be considered before placing an implant:
· The patient must be healthy
· Healing abilities affected by a disease may affect the successfulness of an implant
· A proper diagnosis must be made before an implant can be placed
· Placement and technique is specific to each individual candidate
· To further prevent complications, the implant(s) must be treated properly by the patient and the dentist
· Heavy smoking and drinking may affect the successfulness of an implant
Q. How are dental implants placed?
A. Basically, a metal, ceramic, or combination-type implant is placed in the empty bone space, below the gum line. A post, or abutment, juts out to receive the prosthesis, usually called a crown if it is replacing a single tooth, or a bridge if multiple teeth are being replaced in a row.
Q. How long does it take?
A. In fact, if the patient is otherwise healthy and has good bone at the site, implants can be put in and a temporary crown affixed all in one visit. The permanent crown, usually made of porcelain, will be put on in a few months.
Q. How to contact Dr. Buhite if we have further questions?
A.
Address:
1295 Portland Ave
Rochester NY 14621
Phone: 585.342.1323
Email:rjb2@frontiernet.net
Website: http://www.buhite.com
