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Dental Implants Defined
Which tooth is the implant?
What are Dental Implants?
The first root form implants were developed in Sweden by an orthodpedic surgeon name Per-Ingvar Branemark, who was perfoming experiments on wound healing. Somewhat by accident, Dr. Branemark discovered that a titanium window implanted into an animal's leg was extremely difficult to remove after a few months of observation. In a matter of years Dr. Branemark applied this finding to patients seeking replacement of their missing teeth. He created a screw shaped dental implant that could easily be placed in the bone, and upon healing would allow restoration of missing teeth with implant supported crowns or dentures.

Since the development of the first dental implants in the 1960s vast advances have been made in the field of implant dentistry. Today, implant surfaces allow a much more predictable healing process to occur, and implant body designs allow us to achieve impressive esthetic and functional outcomes for our patients. Occasionally, more a more predictable esthetic outcome may be achieved with a tooth supported bridge instead of a single implant tooth replacement. The images below highlight preparation of the adjacent teeth for a tooth supported bridge. In comparison, a single tooth implant does not require preparation of healthy natural teeth, but requires an ideal tooth space to appear natural.

Placement of dental implants is conducted with local anesthesia, just like most other dental procedures. During the procedure, the implant is placed, a healing cap is placed on top of the implant and the gum tissue is sutured around the healing cap. Our patients report mild dull soreness or even no pain during only the first few days after dental implant placement! After placement of the implant a healing period of approximately 6 weeks to 3 months allows bone cells to attach to the titanium surface. Over time a firm integration occurs between the titanium surface and bone and the implant becomes completely immobile.

Tooth supported bridge

Single tooth implant

Once the implant is integrated, the dental implant may be used as a firm anchor to support a new crown, bridge or denture. Typically at 3 months, our patients come back to the office, and an impression of the implant is made. The impression allows the laboratory team to carefully handcraft your replacement teeth. During the last visit your teeth are placed in your mouth! Patients should keep in mind that after the initial healing process, most procedures are completed without the need for local anesthesia or needles!

Dental implant in position
At The Laudenbach Group, we have selected an implant system that does not require a second surgical procedure to uncover the implant! This allows our team to replace teeth for our patients in a timely manner with fewer procedures.

Quite simply, dental implants allow us to give back our patients ability to chew and smile without embarrassment. Dental implants are now the gold standard for the replacement of missing teeth! So what are you waiting for, call us today for an evaluation so we can restore your smile.

See below for a few examples of single and multiple tooth replacement with dental implants. Also, please take a moment to visit http://dental1.org and view the "Reason To Smile" video. The video showcases dental implant patients discussing their experiences before, during and after treatment.

Single missing tooth replaced with an implant and crown
Multiple missing teeth replaced with implants and crowns
Implants and a permanent bridge replacing all missing teeth
Implants stabilizing a removable denture replacing all missing teeth

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