If you are a candidate, dental implants are THE BEST option for missing teeth. Dental implants are artificial roots and teeth (usually titanium) that are surgically placed into the upper or lower jaw bone, and Dr. Pan only uses trusted brands with a proven record of longevity and success. The teeth attached to implants are very natural looking and often enhance or restore a patient’s smile!
The main benefits of Implants are:
- Implants can last a lifetime
- Reduced bone loss
- Single tooth implants act just like a natural tooth
- Can replace one or more teeth
- Implants don’t affect or compromise the integrity of adjacent teeth
- Resolve joint pain or bite problems caused by teeth shifting into missing tooth space.
- Restore a patient’s confident smile.
- Restore chewing, speech, and digestion.
- Restore or enhance facial tissues.
- Support a bridge or denture, making them more secure and comfortable.
How do I know if I am a candidate for dental implants?
For dental implants to be successful there has to be a large amount of bone present in the area being treated. The implants are placed in the bone and act like the root of a natural tooth. If there is insufficient bone, you may need additional procedures to ensure a successful procedure.
What is the implant procedure like?
Implants are a multi-appointment process. After your consultation and examination with Dr. Pan, he will take a 3D X-ray and an impression of your teeth for treatment planning purposes and to fabricate a custom guide for the placement of the implant. After the treatment plan has been finalized, you will come in for the implant placement. Afterwards, Dr. Pan will see you multiple times to check on healing, and how the implant is being integrated into the bone. About 10-14 weeks after the implant is placed, an appointment is made for Dr. Pan to digitally scan the implant and fabricate a custom abutment(post on which the crown sits) and crown right here in the office! Since the manufacturing of the abutment and crown can take several hours of work, the delivery of the tooth usually takes place 1-3 days after the impression. Each crown is custom for each patient, matching the natural shape of your teeth and shaded to match the rest of your teeth.
Dr. Pan is very conservative in his approach to Implants. Many offices now offer immediate restorations with the implant placement. However, this approach can put unnecessary strain on the implant, causing implant failure and a great deal of wasted time and money for the patient.
Instead, we make sure each step is completed with care, precision, thoughtfulness and with the latest technology. This takes longer, but eliminates a lot of the risk involved in implant placement, potentially saving months and thousands of dollars for our patients. Still other offices simply don’t have the technology that we have available. They use outside dental laboratories for the final restoration. This often takes weeks to get the crown back, and results in less customization and a much harder time matching the shade of your natural teeth. If it doesn’t fit correctly or look like it should, it takes a few more weeks!
Make an appointment today to change your life!