A Message From Dr. Ian Gray

Originally, implants were exclusively utilized to help secure a denture. In the last 20 years, implants have been used to replace an individual missing tooth. Implants function like your natural teeth allowing you to chew normally. They also look and feel very natural. In general implant treatment is 90-95% successful.

The first requirement for implant treatment is a CBCT. (CBCT is a 3 dimensional x-ray). The CBCT allows us to see the bone volume present. Think of an implant like a titanium drywall plug. There needs to be adequate height and width of bone for the implant to be placed. If the CBCT indicates there is not enough bone for implant placement, then there are ways to increase the bone.

Prior to implant placement, a surgical guide is fabricated. This guide is made from the CBCT and merged with an impression of the area. The guide then gives us the ideal position to place the implant at the time of surgery.

If there is a tooth to be extracted first, then there are 2 treatments options. First option is extract the tooth and possibly the bone. Then 3months waiting time is required, before implant placement. The bone from the extracted site must heal before implant placement.

Second option is to extract the tooth and place the implant immediately. This immediate placement used to be considered likely, but know it is done routinely in the right circumstances. Immediate implants are just as successful as the 1st method now. We always evaluate if immediate placement is a viable option. The advantages to immediate implant placement is only one surgery is involved and there is less waiting time.

At the time of implant placement, there is a healing collar (which holds the tissue away from the implant and is an ideal shape) sticking through the gums. The implant requires approximately 3 months to fully integrating to the bone. After three months the implant is tested for stability. While you are waiting for the implant to fully integrate, a temporary prosthesis can be fabricated for cosmetically reasons. Once the implant is fully integrated a post/crown can be inserted. The final insertion requires no freezing. The implant then functions like any of your natural teeth.


Sincerely, 
Dr. Ian Gray