Successful Dental Implants

Dental implants have proven to be a predictable and a long-term solution for the replacement of one to all of your missing teeth.  For those patients who are in need of improving speech and eating, or who are otherwise embarrassed by loose, ill-fitting dentures, a variety of treatment options exist.  As few as two to four implants can secure a removable "snap-in" denture and at the same time eliminate the need for thick plastic on the roof of the mouth for upper dentures.  Between four and eight implants can secure complete non-removable teeth.  With either treatment, you will regain your confidence in speaking and lauging and discover a new youthful you.  Food will taste as you remember, and you can now again eat those foods that you previously avoided.

Properly designed and placed dental implants have been demonstrated to have a success rate of 97 percent over 20 years.  Using today's improved implant designs and newer methods, as well as improved surgical techniques, we can expect even higher success rates and longevity.  Implants can often be considered a lifetime restoration.  We now understand some of the factors involved with implant loss.  These include chronic heavy smoking, uncontrolled diabetes, as well as patients on long-term steroid medications or other changes in your overall immune system.  Implant loss often occurs during the first year following implant placement.  These early failures can be attributed to poor bone healing against the implant surface, often due to post treatment infection or problems associated with implant placement or bone grafting procedures done in conjunction with implant surgery.

Scientific studies have demonstrated the skill and education of the implant surgeon is an important key factor in long-term implant success.  In a multi-center based hospital study of 3,000 implants, it was demonstrated that a 97 percent success rate could be achieved with experienced and skilled implant surgeons placing implants in patients with low risk factors.  This success dramatically decreased to 83 percent with less skilled and educated implant surgeons who additionally did not understand the individual patient's risk factors that may lead to lower overall success rates.  In choosing your implant surgeon, experience, education and expertise are all very important to ensure your long-term comfort and satisfaction.  Choose your implant surgeon just as you would a surgeon for any medical procedure for yourself or family members.  Ask about his or her overall implant training, lectures or scientific publications that hey have written, as well as implant organizations they belong to that provide multi-day continuing education in implant dentistry.  Periodontists and oral surgeons receive three additional years of surgical training following dental school.  They are most able to evaluate you as a candidate for successful implant surgery and work closely with your family dentist or prosthodontist in explaining your best treatment options.  Experience, education and expertise are all very important in achieving successful and long-term satisfaction with your implant treatment.

Dr's. Glick & Misischia