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. Thomas Kang on Dental Implants
Dr. Thomas Kang 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 replacement tooth roots. Implants fuse to the bone in such a way that "load" or biting pressure can be applied to them to help maintain the integrity of the jaw bones in that area. This can help to prevent premature aging of the face as well as improving the function of the bite.
Dental Implant restorations can be very esthetic when planned for properly and executed by a well trained, specialty team.
Dental implants can be used to replace a single tooth, several teeth of all of the teeth. Partial denture or full denture wearers typically achieve the greatest benefit in terms of quality of life improvement.
Q. What are the benefits of dental implants?
A. Dental implants have many benefits. Some of these benefits are related to things like nutrition and chewing function, however the greatest benefits are typically psychological.
Patients receiving dental implants, particularly those who have worn partial dentures or full dentures report improved self confidence, increased likelihood of participating in social gatherings, and a higher quality of life. These are usually related to the esthetic and stable results that can be achieved with dental implants, that are not possible with other forms of dentistry. The "permanence" of dental implants also appeals to many patients.
Finally dental implants, by providing stimulus to the jaw bones help prevent bone atrophy which is responsible for much of the facial aging that is seen in older individuals who have lost teeth.
Q. How long does an implant last?
A. Dental implants when maintained properly, should last a lifetime.
Q. What are implants made of?
A. Dental implants are made of one of four grades of titanium that have been either physically or chemically altered to provide a roughened surface which is attractive to our bone producing cells.
Q. Who is a candidate for implants?
A. Almost anyone is a candidate for dental implants. Certain patients those who have poorly controlled type II diabetes, are heavy smokers, have received head and neck radiation (in the last five years) or have taken certain types of bone-altering medications should be evaluated to determine the relative success rate that can be expected in their case.
Q. How are dental implants placed?
A. Dental implants can be placed in a minimally invasive, scalpel free approach with little to no discomfort, other cases may be a much more invasive procedure. This depends on the patients individual needs, bone quality and sites where implants are required.
Q. How long does it take?
A. There is great variance from patient to patient, again depending on the set of needs they present with. Some patients get their new teeth on the same day as surgery, other cases may take as long as a year. In my office, irrespective of need most patients are finished in 5 months or less.
Q. How to contact Dr. Kang if we have further questions?
A.
Address:
1001 Broadway
Suite 104
Seattle, WA 98122
Phone: (206) 329-0410
Email: info@FHDIC.com
Website: www.fhdic.com
