Dental Implants Scottsdale, Arizona

Dental implants are artificial tooth replacements used to counter tooth loss. The procedure is categorized as a form of prosthetic (artificial replacement) dentistry.

Although you have a number of restorative options for the treatment of missing teeth, none have proven to be as functionally effective and durable as implants. In many cases, dental implants may be the only logical choice for the restoration of all necessary functionality of the teeth and supporting structures.

Strong, durable and natural in appearance, implants are among the most successful dental procedures performed.

Tooth Loss

Teeth are lost because of:

Tooth decay
Root canal failure
Periodontal (Gum) Disease
Trauma to the mouth
Excessive wear and tear
Congenital defects

People who have lost teeth might feel too self-conscious to smile or talk. Additionally, biting irregularities caused by tooth loss can have a negative effect on eating habits and this can lead to secondary health problems like malnutrition. Regardless of the nature of problems related to tooth loss, dental implants may provide a simple remedy with proven results.

Advantages of Implant Dentistry

Dental implants are stronger and more durable than their restorative counterparts Bridges and Dentures. Implants offer a permanent solution to tooth loss. Additionally, implants may be used in conjunction with other restorative procedures for maximum effectiveness. For example, a single implant can serve to support a crown replacing a single missing tooth. Implants can also be used to support a dental bridge for the replacement of multiple missing teeth, and can be used with dentures to increase stability and reduce gum tissue irritation.

Procedural advancements, including the development of narrower “mini” implants, mean that more people than ever before are finding themselves candidates for implantation. However, candidacy for implantation still varies, meaning that Dr Coombs and Dr Chiappetti determine that you should opt for an alternative restoration.

Planning for Implants

CT scans coupled with state of the art 3D software represents a tremendous leap forward in Dental Implant treatment planning! Prior to this combination, Implants had to be planned with a 2 dimensional x-ray, leaving out the most important factors in both the predictability (bone density and bone width) and safety (3D relationship of the implants and nerves).

Now, with this exciting technology, a quick 20 second scan is processed in our office to recreate your true 3D anatomy, allowing us to do "virtual surgery" on your jaw, placing the correct size implant into the ideal location for you.

With older, less precise imaging modalities, it is not uncommon to have unexpected charges due to bone grafts or sinus grafts, or poor esthetic outcomes due to less than ideal placement.

What this means to you is quick, pain free insertion of implants into precise position with no “guesswork” during your treatment. Prior to your insertion procedure, you will be shown your case, and see exactly what will be placed and where. There will be no surprises!

The Dental Implant Procedure

Today's dental implants are virtually indistinguishable from other teeth. This appearance is aided in part by the structural and functional connection between the dental implant and the living bone. Implants are typically placed in a single sitting but require a period of osseointegration.

Osseointegration is the process by which direct anchorage of a dental implant root and the bone of the jaw occurs. Osseointegrated implants are the most commonly used and successful type of dental implant. An osseointegrated implant takes anywhere from three to six months to anchor and heal, at which point your dentist can complete the procedure with the placement of a crown. Once the implant has anchored with the jawbone, artificial prosthesis may be attached and the process is done. If osseointegration does not occur, the implant will fail.

Success Rates of Dental Implants

Dental implants are among the most successful procedures in dentistry. There is no guarantee that an implant procedure will be successful, but studies have shown a five-year success rate of 95% for lower jaw implants and 90% for upper jaw implants. The success rate for upper jaw implants is slightly lower because the upper jaw (especially the posterior section) is less dense than the lower jaw, making successful implantation and osseointegration potentially more difficult to achieve. Lower posterior implantation has the highest success rate for all dental implants.

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