Dental Implants
Tooth Implants in Courtenay
If you need tooth implants in Courtenay, Acreview Dental Clinic can help. Implants in dentistry have developed significantly over recent years around the world and in our practice. Dr. Burry and Dr. Karamanis began restoring dental implants in 1994 and surgically placing implants in 2001. Since then, they have successfully reconstructed the bite of many patients throughout the years. Implant dentistry in our practice is as commonplace a treatment as the most simple procedure that we perform.
Implants provide a stable, functional replacement for a single missing tooth or multiple missing teeth. A dental implant is a metal cylinder that is surgically placed in the bone of the upper or lower jaw to replace the tooth's root. Dental implants may also be used as the support for full upper or lower dentures (implant-supported dentures).
An implant consists of an anchor, an abutment, and a prosthetic tooth or appliance. The anchor is a cylindrical piece of metal that is surgically implanted in the bone. Due to the high biocompatibility of titanium with bone tissue, implants are often made of this metal. The abutment connects the anchor with the restored prosthetic appliance and is attached after proper healing (osseointegration or bone fusion around an implant) of the anchor to the bone. The prosthetic tooth or appliance can consist of a crown (single tooth implant), bridge (multiple teeth implants) or a full upper or lower denture (implant supported dentures). Nobel Biocare, Astra, and Straumann are the major supplier of implants for Dr. Karamanis and Dr. Burry. Visit the Straumann and the Nobel Biocare websites for more information.
Our practice believes that in some cases, implants should be completed with the cooperative co-treatment with oral surgeons. We have wonderful, long-standing professional relationships with oral surgeons who can surgically place the implant body (root replacement). We have restored countless cases using this cooperative effort. Our dentists work in close relationship with the surgeons and reconstruct the tooth with proper cosmetics and function once bone healing has been completed. The end result is consistent with Dr. Burry and Dr. Karamanis’ routine technical excellence, providing both comfort and function for the dental patient requiring this type of service.
Single Tooth Implants
This type of dental restoration is often referred to as a composite restoration. Composite restorations are a mixture of glass or quartz filler in a resin medium that is bonded to the remaining structure of a tooth when a portion of the tooth has been damaged by injury, fracture or decay. Composite restorations provide durability and resistance to fracture in small-to-mid-size loss of tooth structure that is required to withstand moderate chewing pressure. Since their inception in the late 1960s, composite restorations have undergone continual improvements in colour, stability, durability, and aesthetic properties. They are available in a variety of shades and can be matched to your individual tooth colour. Tooth-coloured restorations (composite resins) are available for use in both anterior (front) and posterior (back) teeth.
Multiple Tooth Implants
One of the main advantages of a single tooth implant is the fact that a missing tooth can be replaced without sacrificing the health of the adjacent teeth. The other alternative to replace a single tooth is a fixed bridge which involves preparation of the teeth on either side of the missing tooth. Often times, the adjacent teeth have not been restored and can remain untouched when a single tooth implant becomes the desired method of treatment.
Implant-Supported Dentures
When a dental patient is missing all of their teeth in one or more arches, an implant supported denture is one of the options for replacement of these teeth. An implant-supported denture is a type of overdenture that is supported by and attached to implants. This type of denture has special attachments that snap onto attachments on the implants. Several advantages exist when considering the use of implant-supported dentures. They are often more comfortable and stable than conventional dentures, they help preserve bone in the dental arch, and they provide enhanced function and better aesthetics than conventional dentures.
Patient Selection
When dental implants are a consideration, Dr. Karamanis and Dr. Burry perform a comprehensive dental examination and a careful screening. This includes radiographs (X-rays), study models, and careful risk assessment. For each step, we take into consideration each patient's oral condition and general medical health.
The oral examination includes evaluation of the adequacy of bone present in the areas that the implants might be placed. Dr. Burry and Dr. Karamanis may collaborate with oral surgeons, utilizing them as co-therapists during the assessment phase. Treatment planning may include bone grafting to augment the proposed implant site. The health of each patient's peridontium (gum and bone) must be sound and free of disease prior to any type of implant procedure. Dr. Karamanis and Dr. Burry carefully communicate with these specialists to coordinate the treatment sequence.
The patient considering dental implants must be free of systemic conditions that might interfere with healing and affect implant acceptance. Examples of these conditions might include recent radiation therapy to the oral cavity, uncontrolled systemic conditions like diabetes, and some types of immunosuppressive disease. The risk for implant failure has been shown to be higher in cigarette smokers than in non-smokers. At times, consultation with medical health professionals is necessary. Careful evaluation is completed prior to any type of implant treatment.
Care of Implants
Supervision of each patient's oral hygiene begins prior to the surgical phase and continues through treatment and beyond. Detailed instruction is given to our patients, specific to their individual case. Physiotherapy aids (toothbrushes, dental floss, interdental cleaners, etc.) are selected to prevent damage to the titanium implant as well as the supporting tissues. Immaculate oral hygiene influences the long-term success of an implant. Routine supervision of the patient with dental implants is essential. This includes re-care evaluations that are individually established and careful examination at these set intervals.
Feel free to contact our office if you feel you might be a candidate for dental implants. Upon examination, Dr. Burry and Dr. Karamanis will carefully assess your individual condition and recommend treatment accordingly.