Sugar Land Dental Implants

Dr. Stuart Rimes  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 an exciting solution to the problem of missing teeth. Traditional dentures shift, fall out and reduce our ability to chew. Fixed bridges can only be done by grinding down teeth adjacent to the missing tooth, and are often much more difficult to clean.  Dental implants eliminate these problems by acting as artificial roots providing a stable foundation for replacement teeth.

Single tooth implants are ideal because they eliminate the need to grind down nearby healthy teeth in order to get a properly-fitted bridge. Multiple teeth implants are a more complicated procedure but are equally successful and eliminate the need for crowns or dentures.

Q. What are the benefits of dental implants?

A. A major advantage of an implant over a bridge is that the teeth adjacent to the missing tooth are left undisturbed. When a 3-unit bridge is installed, for example, teeth on either side of the missing tooth - the abutment teeth - must be prepared, or ground down, to receive the bridge. The abutment teeth are not only compromised by the down sizing, they also have to bear the load of the missing tooth. On the cutting edge side of the coin, implants affect only the tooth in question and treat the problem directly.

For the denture or partial denture wearer, since there is no shifting in the mouth, both permanent and removable implant restorations provide an improvement in comfort and security. Normal biting pressure in the average adult with all their natural teeth is 540 pounds per square inch. For denture-wearers it’s 50 pounds per inch. Dental implants operate at 450 pounds per square inch so chewing is no longer a challenge. Usually two to six implants are used in the lower jaw and four to six in the upper jaw but more may be needed depending on the number of teeth being replaced.

Q. How long does an implant last?

A. The current dental implants have only been a treatment option for patients since the early 1970’s.  Therefore, studies on their long term viability are only 30-40 years old.  However those studies have demonstrated that implants, when placed and restored by a properly trained individual, can last that long.  Whereas, a bridge to replace a missing tooth has an average lifespan of 7-10 years. 

Q. What are implants made of?

A. Implants are made from commercially pure titanium.  They are made in a completely sterile environment, and must be handled with great care prior to the surgical placement. 

Q. Who is a candidate for implants?

A. Almost anyone can receive dental implants including those with bone loss or other health issues.  The procedure is relatively pain-free since the jaw doesn’t have any nerve endings. Patients receive a local anesthetic and afterwards take mild pain medication such as Tylenol or Motrin. Some people may experience swelling or other complications, but the most common problems are usually associated with screws or clips loosening. That’s why it’s crucial to find a qualified specialist who has experience with dental implants.

Q. How are dental implants placed?

A. The procedure involves placing an artificial post shaped like the original root into the jaw to be an anchor for new teeth. Because of its compatibility with the human body, titanium is the preferred material.  Bone grows directly to the titanium surface creating a permanent root.  The procedure can take as little as 30 minutes and can be performed in office. 

Q. How long does it take?

A. There used to be a three to nine month wait while the jaw healed before new teeth could be placed into the mouth. However, recent research has revealed that the healing process is complete in as little as six weeks.  Some specialists, such as Prosthodontists, can even immediately "load" the implants, a procedure where a temporary tooth or denture is set immediately onto the implant. This can actually help the healing process by keeping the implant stable. The patient is also able to see immediate results and have their new teeth the same day as the implant placement.

While these provisional teeth look excellent they are not made to last. The next step is for the specialist to make an impression of the tissue in order to create a replacement tooth that looks like the other natural teeth. For permanent implants the new tooth is cemented onto a custom abutment screwed onto the implant. For removable dentures, clips are attached to the implants and then used to keep the teeth in place.

Q. How to contact Dr. Rimes if we have further questions?    

A.
Address:
15958 City Walk ste 230
Sugar Land, TX. 77479
Telephone: 281.313.1565
Fax:(281) 313-1575
Email:srimes@comcast.net
Website: http://www.rimesdds.com/