Dental Implants
Through an extensive commitment to continuing education, Dr. Brian Raskin is able to replace missing teeth and restore debilitated mouths with the use of dental implants. At Advanced DDS, you don't have to go to a different specialist for treatment. Both phases of implant dentistry are done under one roof: implant surgery and tooth replacement. Dr. Raskin's goal is to improve not only your smile but your quality of life. He wants you to bite, chew and smile with the same confidence you had with your own natural teeth. Let our highly experienced team help you restore your smile to its youthful appearance and function.
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants provide a foundation for replacement teeth that look, feel, and function just like natural teeth. No more need to
deal with uncomfortable dentures or bridges—with permanent dental implants, a person who has lost teeth regains the ability to eat and smile with effortless confidence.The dental implants themselves are titanium cylinders that are surgically implanted in the jawbone where the missing teeth were rooted. Over time, the titanium bonds with the bone, creating a strong foundation for artificial teeth. Small posts are then attached to the implant. Protruding through the gums, these posts provide stable anchors for artificial replacement teeth.Dental implants can support replacements for one tooth, several teeth, or even all of the teeth. Dental implants deliver outstanding results in both appearance and function of the new teeth. Implants also help preserve facial structure, preventing the bone deterioration that occurs when teeth are missing.
How do I know if I need Dental Implants?
For one thing, quality of life is affected. As teeth are lost, it becomes more difficult, over time, to eat and chew food. The jaw bone melts away with disuse. You may be surprised to learn that 29% of denture wearers eat only soft or mashed foods and 50% avoid many foods altogether. Replacing teeth as soon as they are lost keeps the mouth in its optimal function so you will, hopefully, never have to mash your food! If you are missing one tooth or all of your teeth, implant dentistry might be right for you.
Why is replacing these missing teeth so important?
Replacement of missing teeth is essential to maintaining the bone in the jaw. The longer a tooth is missing the more bone is lost in that site. That is why a tooth should be replaced very soon after it is lost.Dental implants are man-made replacements for natural teeth. The implants are made from titanium, the same metal that hip and other joint replacements are made from. The actual dental implant replaces the root of the missing tooth. It is then used as an anchor to secure the replacement tooth or teeth. Implants allow us to replace missing teeth without harming the healthy natural teeth adjacent to the space. This reduces the future risk of root canals and decay under crowns.Over time, due to lack of use, more and more of the jaw bone disintegrates until it becomes very difficult to place an implant restoration.
When do I start losing bone in an extraction site?
As soon as a tooth is lost, either from gum disease or from a surgical procedure, the supporting bone starts to melt away. This bone is part of your jaw.
What do I do if I have already lost too much bone?
Luckily, there are many innovative procedures that allow you to grow new bone in your jaw. Bone grafts take bone from one area in your mouth and move it to another. A "sinus lift" can grow more bone to support the top back teeth. Ten years ago we thought this was impossible. But with these new procedures almost anyone can replace their missing teeth with implants. It is important to replace missing teeth as soon as they are lost. This will keep as much healthy bone as possible in the areas where there are no teeth. It's important not to wait for problems to develop. Untreated, problems will develop. It's only a matter of time.
