Dental Implants – Inland Empire CA

Dental Implants Presentation

To provide you with a better understanding of dental implants, we have provided the following multimedia presentation. Many common questions pertaining to dental implants are discussed.

Dental Implants Presentation

Dental implants are changing the way people live. They are designed to provide a foundation for replacement teeth which look, feel and function like natural teeth when implanted by an experienced implant surgeon like Dr. Punjabi. The person who has lost teeth regains the ability to eat virtually anything, knowing that teeth appear natural and that facial contours will be preserved. Patients with dental implants can smile with confidence.

What are Dental Implants?

The implants themselves are tiny titanium posts, which are surgically positioned and implanted into the jawbone where teeth are missing. These metal anchors act as tooth root substitutes providing stable anchors for artificial replacement teeth. Once in place, they allow the dentist to mouth the replacement teeth onto them.

The Dental Implant in Inland Empirebone bonds with the titanium, creating a strong foundation for artificial teeth, making them stronger and giving the patient the ability to eat normally without concern of the teeth to fall out.

Small posts are then attached to the implant, which protrudes through the gums.Dental implants also help preserve facial structure, preventing bone deterioration that occurs when teeth are missing. Preventing the sag or sunken face that is common in people with out teeth.

Please call us for information about getting dental implants in the Inland Empire area: (909) 798-9950+

The Surgical Procedure

For most patients, the placement of dental implants involves two surgical procedures. First, implants are placed within your jawbone. For the first three to six months following surgery, the implants are beneath the surface of the gums gradually bonding with the jawbone. You should be able to wear temporary dentures and eat a soft diet during this time while your mouth heals. At the same time, your dentist is forming new replacement teeth.

After the dental implant has bonded to the jawbone, the second phase begins. Dr. Punjabi will uncover the implants and attach small posts, which will act as anchors for the artificial teeth. These posts protrude through the gums. When the artificial teeth are placed, these posts will not be seen. The entire procedure usually takes six to eight months. Most patients experience minimal disruption in their daily life.

Surgical Advances

Using the most recent advances in dental implant technology, Dr. Punjabi is able to place single stage implants. These dental implants do not require a second procedure to uncover them, but do require a minimum of six weeks of healing time before artificial teeth are placed. There are even situations where the implants can be placed at the same time as a tooth extraction – further minimizing the number of surgical procedures. Advances in dental implant technology have made it possible, in select cases, to extract teeth and place implants with crowns at one visit. This procedure, called immediate loading, greatly simplifies the surgical process.

See Dr. Punjabi on TV

Dr Anil Punjabi Dental Implants Segment

Dr Punjabi discusses Dental Implants on American Health Journal TV Interview 2013

Who actually performs the implant placement?

Dental Implant Surgery

Dental Implants are a team effort between an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon and a Restorative Dentist. While Dr. Punjabi performs the actual implant surgery, and initial tooth extractions and bone grafting if necessary, the restorative dentist (your dentist) fits and makes the permanent prosthesis. Your dentist will also make any temporary prosthesis needed during the implant process. If you do not have a general dentist, we can help with the restorative phase.

What types of prostheses are available?

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A single prosthesis (crown) is used to replace one missing tooth each prosthetic tooth attaches to its own implant. A partial prosthesis (fixed bridge) can replace two or more teeth and may require only two or three implants. A complete dental prosthesis (fixed bridge) replaces all the teeth in your upper or lower jaw.

The number of implants varies depending upon which type of complete prosthesis (removable or fixed) is recommended. A removable prosthesis (over denture) attaches to a bar or ball in socket attachments, whereas a fixed prosthesis is permanent and removable only by the dentist.

Dr. Punjabi performs in-office implant surgery in an operating suite, thus optimizing the level of sterility. Ambulatory Surgery Center or In hospital surgery is for patients who have special medical or anesthetic needs or for those who need extensive bone grafting from the jaw, hip or tibia.

Why dental implants?

Once you learn about dental implants, you finally realize there is a way to improve you life. When you lose several teeth whether it’s a new situation or something you have lived with for years chances are you have never become fully accustomed to losing such a vital part of yourself. Here are a few of the many advantages to dental implants:

  • Dental Implants look and feel like your own teeth.
  •  Allow you to speak without the teeth “slipping out”.
  • Dental Implants eliminate the discomfort of removable dentures.
  • Allow you to eat with confidence
  • Dental implants improve the self esteem giving your smile back.
  • With good care dental implants last many years.

The Importance of Dental Implants

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Your Mouth is the gateway to your body. To understand how the mouth can affect the body, it helps to understand what can go wrong in the first place. Bacteria that build up on teeth make gums prone to infection. The immune system moves in to attack the infection and the gums become inflamed. The inflammation continues unless the infection is brought under control. Over time, inflammation and the chemicals it releases eat away at the gums and bone structure that hold teeth in place. The result is severe gum disease, known as periodontitis. Inflammation can also cause problems in the rest of the body. People with gum disease are almost twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease compared to those don’t have periodontitis.

Dental Implant Bone Loss If you struggle with dental issues and can’t seem to find a solution that makes you happy, dental
implants could be the right choice for you. Beyond the aesthetic appeal, many people find that the health benefits are an important factor when considering implants. Millions of Americans suffer tooth loss — mostly due to tooth decay, periodontal disease, or injury. For many years, the only treatment options available for people with missing teeth were bridges and dentures. But, today, dental implants are available.

Did you know implants can help prevent bone loss in the jaw? The natural erosion of bone begins as soon as a tooth is lost, and if nothing is done, this may result in the loss of other teeth and could cause a “sunken” look in facial features. Dental implants integrate with the bone, providing a stimulus that keeps the jawbone from deteriorating. This helps maintain a more youthful facial structure, boosts confidence—and leads to better oral health.

Worst Case Scenarios Without Dental Implants

Worst Case Scenarios without Dental Implants

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1. Heart Disease/Stroke Risk

People with periodontal disease are two times more likely to develop heart disease and arterial narrowing as a result of bacteria and plaque entering the bloodstream through the gums. The bacteria contain a clot-promoting protein that can clog arteries, leading to an increased risk of heart attack.

2. Increased Risk of Dementia

Tooth loss due to poor dental health is also a risk factor for memory loss and early stage Alzheimer’s disease. One study, published in Behavioral and Brain Functions, found that infections in the gums release inflammatory substances which in turn increase brain inflammation that can cause neuronal (brain cell) death.

3. Respiratory Problems

Bacteria from periodontal disease can travel through the bloodstream to the lungs where it can aggravate respiratory systems, especially in patients who already have respiratory problems.

4. Diabetes

95% of US adults with diabetes also have periodontal disease and 1/3 have such advanced disease that has lead to tooth loss. This is likely because people with diabetes are more susceptible to contracting infections.

5. Erectile Dysfunction

Men with periodontal disease are 7 times more likely to experience erectile dysfunction than men with good dental hygiene. Periodontal bacteria can travel through the bloodstream, inflaming blood vessels and blocking flow to the genitals.

6. Risk of Premature Birth

Doctors theorize that one of the main causes of preterm birth is infection in the mother’s body. One common site of infection is the mouth. In addition to brushing and flossing, a study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology found an association between the use of a non-alcohol antimicrobial mouth rinse in pregnant women and a decreased rate of delivering babies prematurely.

7. Other Infertility Problems

Researchers found that gum disease could increase the time it takes for a woman to become pregnant. In the study, women with gum disease took an average of seven months to conceive, compared to five months among their peers without gum disease.

8. Cancer

Researchers have found that men with gum disease were 49% more likely to develop kidney cancer, 54% more likely to develop pancreatic cancer, and 30% more likely to develop blood cancers.

Benefits of Dental Implants

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Improved oral health– Dental implants don’t require reducing other teeth, as a tooth-supported bridge does. Because nearby teeth are not altered to support the implant, more of your own teeth are left intact, improving long-term oral health. Individual implants also allow easier access between teeth, improving oral hygiene.

Improved appearance– Dental implants look and feel like your own teeth. And because they are designed to fuse with bone, they become permanent.

Improved speech– With poor-fitting dentures, the teeth can slip within the mouth causing you to mumble or slur your words. Dental implants allow you to speak without the worry that teeth might slip.

Improved comfort- Because they become part of you, implants eliminate the discomfort of removable dentures.

Easier eating– Sliding dentures can make chewing difficult. Dental implants function like your own teeth, allowing you to eat your favorite foods with confidence and without pain.

Improved self-esteem– Dental implants can give you back your smile and help you feel better about yourself.

Durability– Implants are very durable and will last many years. With good care, many implants last a lifetime.

Convenience– Removable dentures are just that; removable. Dental implants eliminate the embarrassing inconvenience of removing dentures, as well as the need for messy adhesives to keep them in place.

Procedures

The natural consequence of missing teeth is that the jaw will literally melt away. Normally, people lose 25% of their supporting jawbone structure within the first year after tooth loss. The sooner you can get the Dental Implants the better due to the bone replacement becomes more complex as time passes. Implants will safeguard and preserve your bone structure, oral health and appearance.

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Replacing missing teeth– This procedure is usually for anyone who is missing one or more teeth, or who is unhappy with their dentures. Your age will never be a factor. Although, smoking, diseases such as diabetes and radiation therapy to the area have been known to lower the success rate of implant placements. X-Rays will be taken before hand to ensure you are the right candidate.

Implant placement– The procedure to place an implant takes 30 to 60 minutes for one implant and only 2 to 3 hours for multiple implants. The number of appointments and time required vary from patient to patient. The surgeon will bring great precision and attention to the details of your case.

Full dental implant surgery– Depending upon the number of implants to be placed, it may be possible to eliminate the need for covering the roof of your mouth with a complete denture. This option allows you to fully taste your food and gives you a better sense of its temperature. Your denture will feel more natural. You will still have a removable denture, which makes cleaning the support bar and denture much easier.

Dental Implant Inland Empire Bone raftBone grafting for Implants– After tooth extraction, if the walls of the socket are very thick, they will usually fill naturally with bone in two to three months. However, when the walls of your socket are very thin (such as in your upper and lower front teeth), this type of healing will not be as predictable. In these situations, a bone graft is often placed at the time of tooth extraction to help your body fill in the empty socket with bone. This step will maintain the width and volume of bone you will need for implant placement several months later. You may also need bone grafting if the sinus cavities in your upper jaw are very large, or very low, and extend into the tooth-bearing areas. This often occurs when teeth in the back of a person’s upper jaw have been removed many years before, and the amount of bone available for implant placement is limited.

Bar attachment denture- Bar Attachment Denture is a contemporary restoration that has revolutionized the way surgeons and dentists think of replacing a full set of teeth. Standard dentures are unsecured prostheses with inherent limitations. Modern dentistry can help with Bar Attachment Denture implant supported dentures. The Bar Attachment Denture treatment concept replaces your missing teeth with a full dental bridge supported by only four dental implants. With fewer implants needed, overall treatment time and cost is reduced.

Teeth-in-an-hour– is a revolutionary concept providing patients with fully functioning teeth on dental implants in a single procedure that takes about an hour. The process begins when a CAT scan is taken of the patient’s jawbone. This CAT scan allows for the generation of a three-dimensional model of the jawbone that can then be used with virtual reality software to plan the implant placement without the presence of the patient. The results are a more accurate implant placement and less chair time for the patient.

Dental implants can be your doorway to renewed self-confidence and peace of mind.

A Swedish scientist and orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Per-Ingvar Branemark, developed this concept for oral rehabilitation more than thirty-five years ago. With his pioneering research, Dr. Branemark opened the door to a lifetime of renewed comfort and self-confidence for millions of individuals facing the frustration and embarrassment of tooth loss.

Why would you select dental implants over more traditional types of restorations?

There are several reasons: Why sacrifice the structure of surrounding good teeth to bridge a space? In addition, removing a denture or a partial at night may be inconvenient, not to mention that dentures that slip can be uncomfortable and rather embarrassing.

Are you a candidate for implants?

If you are considering implants, your mouth must be examined thoroughly and your medical and dental history reviewed. If you mouth is not ideal for implants, ways of improving outcome, such as bone grafting, may be recommended.

What type of anesthesia is used?

The majority of dental implants and bone grafts can be performed in the office under local anesthesia, with or without general anesthesia.

Do Implants need special care?

Once the implants are in place, they will serve you well for many years if you take care of them and keep your mouth healthy. This means taking the time for good oral hygiene (brushing and flossing) and keeping regular appointments with your dental specialists.