Are Dental Implants Right for Me?
Scarsdale and Mt. Kisco, NY
Implants provided by Dr. Gary Orentlicher and Dr. Andrew Horowitz in Scarsdale & Mt. Kisco, NY at New York Oral, Maxillofacial, and Implant Surgery
 Many times, patients who have extensive tooth decay and poor oral hygiene suffer tooth loss because of those conditions. It is important to realize that although dental implants are a viable permanent solution for artificial teeth, it is not a suitable choice for everyone. There are certain oral health requirements that Dr. Gary Orentlicher and Dr. Andrew Horowitz need to verify with their patients in order to perform a successful dental implant placement. A good level of oral health and solid general health are quite important. There needs to be a solid foundation in order to support the dental implants too. There can be no traces of gum disease either.
Used quite frequently, dental implants are utilized in a wide variety of dental applications. Securing bridges, crowns, and even dentures, they are widely utilized to improve a patient's level of oral health. If you think you meet the requirements or want to discuss dental implants as a treatment option reach out to us at our Scarsdale, NY practice at New York Oral, Maxillofacial, and Implant Surgery.
What Are the Requirements for Dental Implants?
As mentioned, there are certain requirements which need to be met in order to have a successful dental implant procedure.
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The risk factors which can affect whether the patient is a good candidate include age and health. If patients are over 60 years of age and have been a recipient of radiation therapy, their bone density can be affected and be unable to support dental implants. |
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Certain medications can also deteriorate bone mass too. |
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Alcohol abuse can also be a determining factor in whether dental implant placement could be successful. |
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There are several causes that lead to the deterioration of the bone in either the upper or lower jaw. Tooth loss is one of the most common, whether by injury or disease. Once a tooth has been lost or removed, the healing process of the tissues surrounding the socket causes gums to recede, and bone tissue to resorb into the jawbone. |
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Muscles will waste and atrophy if they are not used, and the jawbone is no exception. The jaw muscles requires stimulation to keep cells healthy. Thus, the act of chewing and biting stimulates the part of the tooth embedded into the jaw (the tooth root), and once the tooth has gone, this no longer takes place. |
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Periodontal disease is another factor that causes bone loss. This is the advanced form of gum disease which damages the jawbone, as well as the gums and soft tissues that are damaged in the earlier stages of the disease. |
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One of the major issues affecting dental implants is smoking. We are all aware of the damage it does to the body generally, but when a dental implant has just been placed it requires plenty of nutrients and oxygen, delivered in the blood. Smoking diminishes blood flow, which could affect the body's ability to heal and fight infection in the tissues around the implants. Ultimately, the implants may not integrate properly with the bone and fail. Thus, people who smoke are not good candidates for dental implants. |
While these factors can complicate things, they do not arbitrarily take the patient out of consideration for the procedure. There are other procedures, such as bone grafts, which can be performed in order to prepare the patient's mouth and jaw for dental implants. Read more about additional dental procedures like this at dental Implant FAQ's. Visit our page about dental implants for more information, including what's involved in the process of oral surgery, the health benefits for patients, and more.
Dental Implant Alternatives
While there are some who cannot get dental implants for any number of reasons, there are other equally sufficient procedures which can provide similar results. One option is mini-implants which are much smaller than traditional implants. They need far less bone mass. All-on-4 and implant-supported dentures are two alternatives outlined below.
All-on-4® Treatment Concept
Another procedure called the All-on-4 is also an option for dental implant alternatives. The All-on-4 only uses four implants which are angled so they do not need as much bone mass. This is a much less expensive procedure as well because it uses fewer implants and takes much less time to complete.
This innovation is secure, permanent, and dispenses with loose dentures, messy adhesives, and the worry of your teeth slipping or falling out.
You will need to be in good health to be considered for an All-on-4. It will be carried out under a local anesthetic, or conscious sedation, but it is surgery and will be performed in a surgical environment by an oral surgeon. If you have medical issues, such as a condition that affects blood clotting, this could be a problem that would render you unsuitable for the All-on-4.
Oral health is still an important factor - even though you may wonder why, if you have lost all of your teeth already. For any dental implant procedure to be a success the jawbone must be reasonably healthy and have enough viable bone available to place the implants. Unfortunately, for many people who have lost their teeth, the cause is often periodontitis, which is a severe form of gum disease where the gums, tissues, and bones surrounding a tooth are destroyed.
Unlike traditional dental implants, where bone loss prevents the placement of an implant unless a bone graft is carried out, an All-on-4 procedure may still be viable, even if there is some bone loss. This is because the rear implants used in the All-on-4 are longer than traditional implants. Plus, the implants are placed at a 45-degree rather than 90-degree angle, which creates more implant-to-bone contact. Thus, even with some bone loss, you may be a good candidate for the All-on-4 Treatment Concept.
Implant Supported Dentures
Fewer dental implants are required for this restoration procedure than for using single dental implants or implant-supported bridges. Thus, if fewer dental implants are required, the costs will be lower, making it more cost-effective.
Some other implant restoration procedures require excellent bone health. As implant-supported dentures require fewer implants, patchy bone loss in the jaw may not be much of a problem if the dental implants can be placed in an area with more bone.
Noninvasive Options
While patients might not be good candidates for traditional implants, there are other non-invasive options available as well. They do not require a specific amount of bone mass or any type of implant placed into the jawbone. This type of alternative attaches the dental appliance to existing teeth adjacent to where the missing teeth were. While this may seem like a great idea and far less expensive than traditional implants, this can quicken the erosion process of those teeth because it puts undue stress on them.
Contact Your Oral Surgeon in Scarsdale, NY today!
If you are interested in learning more about dental implants, if they are the right treatment option for you, and if you're a good candidate, get in touch with our experts at New York Oral, Maxillofacial, and Implant Surgery for more information. As always, we will first need to complete a dental exam to determine which course of action is best suited to your needs. Reach out to us at (914) 768-8220 to schedule an appointment. |
