OUR SERVICES
DENTAL IMPLANTS
Natural teeth have two parts, a crown and a root. The crown is the visible part of the tooth. The root is under the gum attached to the jawbone and supports the crown.
A dental implant replaces the root.
Endosteal implants are the most commonly used type of implant. They are placed in the jawbone.
Please note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. We always discuss these with you before conducting any procedures.
Dental implants are typically made out of titanium. They are fitted into small "sockets" created in your jaw, replacing the root of your natural tooth. Once in place, the surrounding bone bonds tightly to the implant surface. The healing process, known as osseointegration, can take several months and depends, in part, upon the quantity and quality of your remaining jawbone.
Dental implants can replace one or several missing teeth, and in some cases, they support a whole set of artificial dentition.
At Vincentia Dental Care we are flexible in our approach and will provide the best treatment modality for your situation.
Single Tooth Implants
In most cases, single tooth dental implants involve two minor surgical procedures performed in the office, and then an impression is taken and the artificial crown is prepared and cemented. There are four steps to the procedure:
Step 1
The implant hole is prepared and the implant (a small titanium screw) is placed into the bone and covered with a protective healing cap while it is allowed to heal.
images courtesy Dr K Kourshounian
Step 2
After 6-8 weeks of healing, the implant is uncovered and a temporary crown, or a healing abutment, is connected to the implant.
image courtesy Dr K Kourshounian
Step 3
The healing abutment is replaced with a permanent abutment and an impression is taken and sent to the lab to design the definitive crown.
image courtesy Dr K Kourshounian
Step 4
The “definitive crown” is cemented into place. The crown mimics the look and the function of the missing natural tooth.
images courtesy Dr K Kourshounian
Implants for Dentures
Even if you have lost all your teeth you do not need to settle for a conventional full denture. As with single teeth, dental implants can be used to restore many or all your teeth.
In time, wearing a denture causes loss of the basal jawbone on which the denture sits, and eventually, the denture starts to get loose. In these cases, patients can experience difficulty eating a simple meal or even talking. Adhesives or mechanical aids do not solve such problems permanently or satisfactorily.
Implants often present a better solution, depending on your circumstances and your desires.
Vincentia Dental Care can offer you multiple options with dental implants—a fixed or a removable reconstruction in the upper and/or lower jaw. .
If you are missing all of your teeth in either your upper or lower jaw, or both jaws, dental implants can support three solutions:
Solution 1
A full bridge attached to several dental implants
Example 1: A ceramic bridge supported by 6 implants for lower and upper dentures
images courtesy Dr K Kourshounian
Example 2: A bridge supported by 4 implants for lower and upper dentures
images courtesy Dr K Kourshounian
Solution 2
A removable prosthesis can be attached to two or more dental implants – the prosthesis stays securely in place, but can be easily removed for cleaning
Example 1: Lower denture supported by two implants
images courtesy Dr K Kourshounian
Example 2: Implant bar supported lower denture
images courtesy Dr K Kourshounian
Solution 3
All on 4s
The term All-on-4 refers to "all" teeth being supported "on four" dental implants in your top and bottom jaws.
It involves a surgical and prosthodontics procedure and is best suited for patients who have no teeth, badly broken-down teeth, decayed teeth, or compromised teeth due to gum disease.
All on 4s provide a superior aesthetic result and natural look. This is due to the customised design of each and every individual tooth with porcelain or zirconia crowns. These are cemented to the PEEK (polyether ether ketone) base framework which is superior to prefabricated standard plastic denture teeth on a metal framework.
What are the benefits of having a dental implant?
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Unlike bridges, implants do not require cutting and reshaping of the adjacent healthy teeth
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Prevents bone loss in the jaw. This may reduce the risk of adjacent natural teeth becoming loose
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Prevents the formation of hollowed or collapsed cheeks that may occur after tooth extraction
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Are firmly secured in the jaw
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Long-term predictable result
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More comfortable than dentures
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Usually do not require separate care routine or special cleaning procedures, as with dentures or bridges
What are the treatment steps for implants?
Dental implants generally require several visits and involve the following steps:
Thorough examination
Your clinical situation is examined and an image of your jawbone is taken to determine the placement of dental implants. An impression could be taken that serves as “guide” for the entire treatment. We evaluate your general health, address any of your questions and concerns, and outline an appropriate plan of treatment.
Surgery
We ensure your gums are clean and disease free, insert the dental implant fixtures (the screws) and your temporary tooth or prosthesis.
Healing period
Following the surgical procedure, there is a period of healing before your final new teeth are attached. This period allows the dental implant(s) to fully integrate into your jawbone.
Producing your new teeth
A new impression is made and we craft your new permanent prosthesis.
Fitting and follow-up
We attach your new tooth/teeth and check functionality and aesthetics to make sure you are completely satisfied.
Bone Grafts
Sometimes you might need bone augmentation to insert the implant in the best possible place and achieve the required aesthetic result.
We use different bone substitutes, harvested and prepared from animal or human cadavers. If your religion doesn’t allow you to have foreign grafts we can use synthetic grafts or alternatively harvest bone from different parts of your jaw if needed and use your own bone tissue for a possible graft.
There are numerous treatment approaches and products in Implant Dentistry. At Vincentia Dental Care, our solution will be according to your current concern, desires and your budget.
Are you a candidate for dental implants?
Almost any person who is missing one or more teeth is a candidate for dental implants. Whether you have lost teeth in an accident, had one or more teeth extracted, or were born without all of your teeth (congenitally missing teeth), it is likely dental implants can be used to replace those teeth.
There are important considerations which may preclude a patient from having implants:
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the patient’s general health, including the ability to heal after surgery
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the patient’s commitment to oral hygiene
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some diseases (eg. osteoporosis) and the medication associated with them (eg. bisphosphonates)
At Vincentia Dental Care, Dr Chris Kourshounian is competent in using most of the implant systems in the market (eg. AstraTech, Straumann, 3i, Zimmer, Noble Biocare, Neoss), so be assured that you will get a customised treatment plan that will best suit your needs and your budget.
Call us today and make an appointment for a consultation to learn about the risk, benefits and limitations of this treatment and how suitable it may be for you.