Upper Jaw Implants
Whenever you lose teeth, bone tissue surrounding the empty area continually dissolves. In time, this gives your mouth an aged appearance as your lips collapse against the receding jaw bone. Dentures do nothing to stop this degradation of your jaw.
Implants in your upper jaw are an appropriate alternative if you just can't comfortably wear an upper denture. Implants are surgically-placed titanium cylinders that serve as artificial tooth roots in the bone of your jaw. The implants are connected w
ith a bar that anchors a modified, open-palate denture, The denture clips on to the bar, so you can easily remove it to clean the bar and the implants at home.
What happens during the procedure?
Replacing missing teeth with implants requires a great deal of experience, skill and expertise, as well as a relatively long time period. First, X-rays are taken to make sure you have adequate bone to support the titanium cylinders. Then models of you
r mouth are created so precise measurements can be made, and the exact location of the implant is pinpointed.
Next, the implant is placed. This usually requires two surgical procedures - one to place the titanium cylinders in your jaw, and another after the implants have healed completely to expose the implants and place the bar on the post. Treatment time, s
tart to finish, usually ranges from three to 12 months.
Will implants work for me?
You must be in good overall health, with healthy gums and proper bone structure, for the implants to anchor securely. If you have a systemic disease such as diabetes, a problem with clenching or grinding your teeth (called bruxism), or if you smoke or
drink alcohol frequently, it's likely that you are not a good candidate for implants.
Poor oral hygiene is one of the main reasons implants fail, so you must be willing to be meticulous about your dental home care, brushing and flossing daily and seeing us as often as four times a year for exams and cleanings, to make sure your gums st
ay healthy.
