By Michelle Bibeau, DDS
One of the greatest pleasures in my daily work life is being able to tell patients
who are facing the loss of teeth—or have already lost them—about the recent
breakthroughs that have occurred in the field of implant dentistry.
Most people are already aware of dental implants as an alternative to bridges
or dentures. Surgically implanted in the jawbone, these titanium posts support
artificial teeth that, if carefully created, are indistinguishable from natural incisors,
bicuspids, cuspids, and molars. Moreover, implants actually maintain
the health of the jawbone just as natural teeth do. That’s important because
when teeth are lost and bone atrophy occurs, one’s appearance can be drastically
altered. Dentures may no longer fit well, and pain and functional problems
follow.
Patients often assume that implant treatment requires months of office
visits, including invasive surgery and a painful recovery. Although this was true
in the past, modern implant treatment is now delivered with a minimum amount
of discomfort, time and office visits. Modern technological and medical
innovations have led to significant breakthroughs utilizing sophisticated
techniques first developed for surgeons operating on the delicate tissues
of the brain. These techniques have been adapted to modern dentistry,
enabling dentists to view detailed, three dimensional images of the jaw.
This allows nerve pathways, jawbone contour, and bone density to be evaluated.
Traditional X-rays provide only a flat, two-dimensional, incomplete picture of these
structures. Previously, dentists placing implants have had to create large incisions
to ensure proper placement. In our Prescott office, we’re pleased to
be able to offer this CAT-scan technology to examine bone contours without
disturbing the tissue. After employing the CAT-scan machine, we load the 3-D
images into a computer using sophisticated oftware to plan the surgery. The
software allows me to predetermine the final placement of the implant-supported
teeth. I then create a surgical guide which allows placement of the implants exactly
as planned on the computer. Tiny holes drilled through gum tissue and bone are
all that’s required. Recovery from the surgery is almost immediate, with virtually
no swelling or pain. I can be confident that the implants will quickly fuse
with the bone and serve my patients well for decades.
Many patients leave my office on the day of their implant surgery wearing
functional implant-supported teeth, an option all but unimaginable even 10
years ago. More complex dental problems may require more detailed treat