Implants

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that is placed into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth bridge or to provide support for a denture. Dental implants are the answer for many people with missing or damaged teeth- implants look and feel just like your own teeth! Dental implants are an ideal option for people in good general oral health who have lost a tooth or teeth due to periodontal disease, an injury, or some other reason. If you still have questions after reading this information, have a conversation with your periodontist.

At Chapel Hill Periodontics & Implants we will customize your dental implant care and make your experience the best it can be. The ideal candidate for a dental implant is one who is in good general and oral health. Adequate bone in your jaw is necessary to support the implant, and the best candidates have healthy gum tissues that are free of periodontal disease.

At Chapel Hill Periodontics & Implants we will work very closely with your dentist to achieve the optimal result. The field of implants is ever changing, and we are always using the latest technology for the benefit of the patient. For example, we have an ICAT three-dimensional imaging machine in our office. This allows for quick turnaround time for imaging and provide us with the optimal diagnostic data.

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that is placed into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge. Dental implants may be an option for people who have lost a tooth or teeth due to periodontal disease, an injury, or some other reason.

TYPES OF DENTAL IMPLANTS


  • Endosteal (in the bone): This is the most commonly used type of implant. The various types include screws, cylinders or blades surgically placed into the jawbone. Each implant holds one or more prosthetic teeth. This type of implant is generally used as an alternative for patients with bridges or removable dentures.
  • Immediate implants: Immediate implants are implants that are placed the day of the extraction.  Not all teeth are candidates for immediate implant placement as some teeth have multiple roots, are close to important anatomical areas (sinuses, nerves, vessels etc.), or the site has infection at the tip of the root or the does not have adequate bone at the time of extraction to support the implant.  A three-dimensional x-ray is needed prior to the extraction to confirm that all requirements are met to allow for implant placement. However, if all of the requirements are met then the implant site is prepared immediately after the tooth is extracted and once placed is covered with bone and allowed to heal for approximately 3-4 months before a crown can be placed.
  • Traditional/Staged implant therapy: In most cases when a tooth is extracted, bone graft is placed and allowed to heal for approximately 3-4 months.  A three-dimensional x-ray is then taken to determine the dimensions of the bone and allow for planning of the implant, at this time if additional bone graft is needed you will be informed at that time.  Dr. Godsey will meet with you personally to discuss the findings of the three-dimensional x-ray and if any additional bone graft or other procedure is needed to allow for ideal implant placement.
  • Immediate temporization: In some cases, a temporary crown can be attached to the implant the day it is placed. This can only be done in certain cases in which the implant is stable enough at the time of placement. If the bone density is not enough to support a temporary crown at the time of surgery, a bone graft or other augmentation procedure is required, then an immediate temporary cannot be placed and the implant should heal for approximately 3 months prior to placing a crown on the implant.
  • Guided implant: At Chapel Hill Periodontics and Implants we strive for perfection and our goal is to ensure quality and long-term success. We utilize technology such as 3D printed guides and intra oral scanning to provide the most accurate and safest implants. We use surgical guides to ensure accuracy and reduce surgical time for the patient’s comfort. We spend a lot of time planning and perfecting your implant case and a surgical guide allows us to accurately transfer the location of the implant from the plan into the mouth.
  • Single tooth: Sometimes teeth are lost due to decay, fractures, injury or periodontal disease, and in certain cases some teeth never develop. For these reasons you can be left with spaces between teeth. Many times, this can cause shifting of neighboring teeth and even teeth opposing the missing tooth. This movement of teeth can cause issues with esthetics, chewing and in some cases create difficulty in chewing food. Replacing a missing tooth with an implant prevents shifting of neighboring teeth and will not require crowning additional teeth, which is the case with a bridge. An implant will look, function and feel like your own tooth, allowing you to brush and floss like you normally would.
  • Multi-tooth: When multiple teeth are lost for various reasons, implants are a great option because they can replace the missing teeth and look, function and feel like your natural teeth. Bridges can be placed on implants to replace larger spaces or individual implants can be placed to replace the missing teeth.
  • All-on-4: When all teeth require extraction due to decay, periodontal disease or another issue, or if you are missing all the teeth for one or more of the jaws then all on 4 may be an option for you. All of four places four implants in specific locations and a dental prosthesis can be attached that does not have to be removed at night by the patient. It restores the patient’s chewing ability and functions and feels like natural teeth. It eliminates removable dental appliances altogether as the prosthesis is fixed directly to the implants. This procedure allows for the replacement of more teeth with fewer implants.

Frequently Asked Questions

The ideal candidate for a dental implant is in good general and oral health. Adequate bone in your jaw is needed to support the implant, and the best candidates have healthy gum tissues that are free of periodontal disease.

Dental implants are intimately connected with the gum tissues and underlying bone in the mouth. Since periodontists are the dental experts who specialize in precisely these areas, they are ideal members of your dental implant team. Not only do periodontists have experience working with other dental professionals, they also have the special knowledge, training and facilities that you need to have teeth that look and feel just like your own. Your dentist and periodontist will work together to make your dreams come true.

WHAT IS A DENTAL IMPLANT PROCEDURE LIKE?


This procedure is a team effort between you, your dentist and your periodontist. Your periodontist and dentist will consult with you to determine where and how your implant should be placed. Depending on your specific condition and the type of implant chosen, your periodontist will create a treatment plan tailored to meet your needs.

  • Replacing a Single Tooth: If you are missing a single tooth, one implant and a crown can replace it.
  • Replacing Several Teeth: If you are missing several teeth, implant-supported bridges can replace them.
  • Replacing All of Your Teeth: If you are missing all of your teeth, an implant-supported full bridge or full denture can replace them.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT AFTER RECEIVING A DENTAL IMPLANT?

As you know, your own teeth require conscientious at-home oral care and regular dental visits. Dental implants are like your own teeth and will require the same care. In order to keep your implant clean and plaque-free, brushing and flossing still apply!

After treatment, your periodontist will work closely with you and your dentist to develop the best care plan for you. Periodic follow-up visits will be scheduled to monitor your implant, teeth and gums to make sure they are healthy.

This procedure is a team effort between you, your dentist and your periodontist. Your periodontist and dentist will consult with you to determine where and how your implant should be placed. Depending on your specific condition and the type of implant chosen, your periodontist will create a treatment plan tailored to meet your needs.

  • Replacing a Single Tooth: If you are missing a single tooth, one implant and a crown can replace it.
  • Replacing Several Teeth: If you are missing several teeth, implant-supported bridges can replace them.
  • Replacing All of Your Teeth: If you are missing all of your teeth, an implant-supported full bridge or full denture can replace them.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT AFTER RECEIVING A DENTAL IMPLANT?

As you know, your own teeth require conscientious at-home oral care and regular dental visits. Dental implants are like your own teeth and will require the same care. In order to keep your implant clean and plaque-free, brushing and flossing still apply!

After treatment, your periodontist will work closely with you and your dentist to develop the best care plan for you. Periodic follow-up visits will be scheduled to monitor your implant, teeth and gums to make sure they are healthy.

As you know, your own teeth require conscientious at-home oral care and regular dental visits. Dental implants are like your own teeth and will require the same care. In order to keep your implant clean and plaque-free, brushing and flossing still apply!

After treatment, your periodontist will work closely with you and your dentist to develop the best care plan for you. Periodic follow-up visits will be scheduled to monitor your implant, teeth and gums to make sure they are healthy.

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