Dental Implants for Non-Dentists
Q: Do all dentists do dental implants? Why do I need to find a special implant dentist? -- Jose Q. A: Dental implants act like natural teeth roots. There are some subtle differences. One of them is that dental implants are not movable once osseointegration (bone healing around the implant) has occurred. Another difference is that dental implants … [Read more...]
Q: My lower denture has always been loose and it is painful when chewing on it. My dentist recommends implant supported overdenture on the lower jaw. Can you tell me how many implants are needed and where they are placed? -- James J. A: After wearing a denture for a long time, the jaw bone resorbs (bone withers away), and it becomes harder to … [Read more...]
Q: What is a socket preservation, and how do I know if I need one? - Stephen L. A: Socket preservation is a type of bone grafting procedure that helps preserve the integrity of the jaw bone ridge after a tooth extraction. Some people experience severe bone loss and consequent collapse of the jaw bone ridge after a tooth extraction. This … [Read more...]
Q: Dental implant bridges? What are they? When and how are they used? -- Alex R. Dental Implant Bridge: When to Use. A: Implant bridges are just like dental bridges except that they are placed on dental implants. Let's consider a dental bridge. When there is a missing tooth, two teeth next to the missing area are used as abutments for a … [Read more...]
Q: My dentist recommends a dental implant for my missing back tooth. I know that dental implants are great alternatives to dentures and bridges. What are some problems that I can expect from dental implants? -- Albert R. A: Dental implants are used in place of dentures and dental bridges. Dental implants are not immune from problems, … [Read more...]
Nerve Injury from Dental Implant: What to do. Q: I think I have a nerve injury from dental implant surgery of last week. What should I do? My dentist tells me that I should wait another week to confirm that it is a nerve injury from the recent dental implant surgery. A: Nerve injuries from dental implant usually occur in the lower jaw when … [Read more...]
Implant Fracture Q: My implant fractured a few months ago. That is what I was told by my dentist. What should I do? Do I need to have it taken out like my dentist recommends? --Heart broken. A: I am sorry to hear that your implant fractured. When the screw that connects the abutment to the implant is fractured, the screw alone can … [Read more...]
Dry Socket Q: I had a tooth extracted last week. My dentist told me not to spit the blood, but I did. I am worried if I am going to have a dry socket. Right now I don't have pain. Will dry socket prevent me from having a dental implant later on? -- Worried about dry socket. A: One of the symptoms of dry socket is severe pain. Since … [Read more...]
Q: I had an extraction of a molar and a bone graft yesterday. Tonight I felt that the swelling is more than this morning. The swelling site has an increased temperature than the rest of my face. I am worried that there might be an infection. I am taking Amoxicillin 500mg tid and motrin 600mg q6h. Is this normal to have increase in swelling and the … [Read more...]
Q: What are zirconia dental implants? Are they better than titanium dental implants? A: Zirconia dental implants are one piece dental implants. They are made of zirconia. Clinical and histological researches have shown good osseointegration (implant and bone forming a tight connection) with zirconia dental implants. Most titanium … [Read more...]
