Dental Implants

Dental Implants    Bone Grafting    Sinus Lift    Ask The Doctors

Dr. Ortner and Dr. Jacobs possess extensive knowledge, training and experience in all aspects of dental implantology, including the latest techniques in sinus lift and advanced bone grafting surgery.

Dental Implants

The ultimate solution for tooth replacement!

Dental implants are the treatment of choice to replace missing teeth. Dental implants are a restorative therapy offering natural-looking options for patients. Their performance is equal to natural teeth, providing a secure and comfortable fit, a natural appearance, and a healthier lifestyle.

Dental implants duplicate the tooth’s structure and contribute to a natural-like functioning of the teeth. They anchor artificial or prosthetic teeth into the jawbone. The implant inserted into the jawbone is made of titanium and rarely causes reaction or rejection in patients. It is the same material used in knee and hip replacements. Their ability to improve your quality of life and health make them the preferred alternative to traditional methods of replacing teeth.

Talk, eat, laugh, smile and kiss with confidence!

From young adults who have congenitally missing teeth or lost teeth due to injury, to adults and seniors who have suffered tooth loss from decay or periodontal disease, everyone can benefit from the comfort, convenience and natural esthetics of dental implants.

• Implants restore proper chewing function.
• Implants are clinically proven, with a success rate of +90%.
• They help stop progressive bone loss and shrinkage of the jawbone by “mimicking” the roots of natural teeth.
• Speech is improved.
• Irritated and painful gums are eliminated.
• Implants can replace one tooth, several teeth or the entire mouth.
• Implants can improve facial symmetry.

One tooth, several teeth or the entire mouth!

Replacing a Single Tooth

If you are missing a single tooth, one implant and a crown can replace it. A dental implant replaces both the lost natural tooth and its root! Once in place, the implant crown will look, feel and function like your natural teeth.

Replacing Several Teeth

Implant supported bridges can replace several missing teeth. No natural teeth need to be altered. A fixed implant bridge is self-supporting and permanently attached to the jawbone.

Replacing All of Your Teeth

An implant-supported full bridge or full denture can replace all of your missing teeth.
Dentures are typically supported by the gums and remaining teeth. Multiple implants support full bridges or dentures that are secured to the jawbone and not removable. Because it is specially designed to provide a custom fit, it will not loosen over time. Your teeth will look, feel and function like natural teeth!

Bone Grafting

Creating bone – the key to implant success

The success of a dental implant and its ability to support a dental restoration is dependent upon the quantity and quality of available bone at the implant site.

Years ago, the lack of bone in the upper or lower jaw presented a problem for the proper placement or size of an implant, making it an impossible treatment option. Today, however, we have the ability to grow bone where needed. This not only gives us the opportunity to place implants of proper length and width, it also allows for optimum esthetic appearance and function. Bone grafting procedures have become an integral part of implant reconstruction.

There are generally four types of bone grafting material:

· Autograft or Autogenous Bone Graft

The Autograft is defined as tissue transplanted from one site to another within the same individual. It is the gold standard because it is your own bone. Success rates are high because there is no immune reaction and the microscopic architecture is perfectly matched. Autografts usually result in the greatest regeneration of missing jawbone. In most cases, the acceptable donor site is another part of the jaw.

· Allograft or Allogenic Bone Graft

The Allograft is defined as a tissue graft between individuals of the same species but of non-identical genetic composition. The source is human donors, usually cadaver bone that has undergone rigorous tests and sterilization. Your body converts the donor bone into your natural bone.

· Xenograft or Zenogenic Bone Graft

The Xenograft is defined as a tissue graft between two different species. An example would be bone of bovine (cow) origin. The animal bone is specially processed to make it biocompatible and sterile. It acts like filler, which your body will replace with natural bone.

· Alloplast or Alloplastic Bone Graft

The Alloplast is defined as any synthetically derived graft material not coming from animal or human origin. Artificial joint replacement procedures use metal alloplastic grafts. For bone replacement, a man made material that mimics natural bone is used. Most often, this is a form of calcium phosphate, which can be resorbable or nonresorbable. Your body may or may not replace the alloplastic graft with natural bone depending on which type is used. In those cases where it is not replaced, the alloplastic graft acts as a lattice or scaffold upon which natural bone is built.

The Sinus Lift

The human skull has several cavities or air spaces called sinuses. When the sinus is enlarged and intrudes on areas where we want to place dental implants, bone or bone growth stimulating material is placed into the sinus. This procedure only affects the maxillary sinuses, which are located just over the molar teeth in the upper jaw. The side of the maxillary sinus is opened and the bottom is raised so it will fill in with bone. Several months later, dental implants can be placed in solid bone.

An “Osteotome Lift” is a surgical procedure that raises the floor of the sinus directly over where the implant is placed. This can be done without actually opening the sinus.

Sinus lifts of all types are commonly used in implant reconstruction and have a high success rate.

Ridge Modification

Deformities in the upper and lower jaw can leave you with inadequate bone in which to place dental implants. To correct the problem, the gum is lifted away from the ridge to expose the bony defect. The defect is then filled with bone or bone substitute to build up the ridge. The gum tissue is rejoined and sutured. Ridge modification has been shown to greatly improve both esthetic appearance and implant success.

Ask Dr. Jacobs & Dr. Ortner:

What is a dental implant?

A dental implant is a titanium screw that is placed into the jawbone. It is used to replace the root portion of a missing tooth. They are uniquely designed with small holes at the outside surfaces. Like the roots of natural teeth, implants stimulate bone growth and over time, bone tissue grows into the small holes, securing the implant.

How are implants placed?

The process of placing the implant involves two surgical procedures. The first procedure involves creating a precision channel in the jawbone into which the implant is firmly threaded. The implant remains undisturbed for 3-6 months. During this healing phase the surrounding bone heals tightly to the implant’s surface giving it firm support.

During the second surgical procedure, the implant is exposed by removing the overlying gum. Impressions are taken to design the appropriate restoration.

Who is a candidate for dental implants?

In general, anyone in good health who has one or more missing teeth! After a careful evaluation of your health history and a thorough oral examination, we will be able to determine if implants are a treatment option. Age is not a factor!

Are implants always successful?

Implant technology has been in use since the 1950’s. Improvements have given implants a 10-year average success rate of 93% or better. The individual success rate is determined in part by a number of factors, including the amount and quality of the existing bone and patient hygiene. Although dental implants will not decay, they require that you maintain impeccable oral hygiene.

More Questions?

Contact us or schedule a complementary implant consultation.

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