Dental Implants for Tooth Replacement and Denture Anchorage

Your teeth were designed to last a lifetime, but sometimes they don't! Replacing missing teeth is important to your general health and to the health of your other teeth. Not only do you lose chewing ability when a tooth is lost, but unreplaced teeth can cause other teeth to be lost, tipped or crowded and create subsequent problems.

Also, there are the obvious problems of poor appearance and loss of self-esteem caused by one or more missing teeth.  Dental implants should always be considered as an option to replace a failing or missing tooth. Replacement of lost teeth with dental implants has been used for treating missing teeth for more than 50 years and is recognized as an effective treatment choice. Dental Implants are considered more predictable than bridgework, resin bonded bridges and root canal treatment.  It is now the standard of care for single tooth replacement and anchoring lower dentures.   Not only do implants replace the missing tooth structure, they help preserve the surrounding bone as well.

As a patient, you face a difficult decision in choosing dental implants to replace one or more missing teeth.  We are very knowledgeable about dental implants and are here to answer any questions you have.  Below are some of the more common questions patients ask.

What are dental implants?

Dental implants are substitutes for the roots of missing teeth. They act as an anchor for a replacement tooth or crown, or a set of replacement teeth such as dentures.  Dental implants are among the most successful treatments dentists provide.

Am I a candidate for implants?

Implant patients are of all ages and implants may be the right choice for anyone missing one or more teeth due to injury, disease or decay. They are especially practical for patients who have a difficult time wearing removable dentures. Dr. Crosby can determine if you are a candidate for dental implants after a thorough evaluation of your dental and medical history.

Are dental implants painful?

Generally all that is needed for placement of implants is a local anesthetic.  Once the area is numb it is a relatively painless procedure.  Oral sedation is available for apprehensive patients.   Afterward, it is rare for a patient to need anything stronger than an over the counter pain medication such as Advil or Tylenol.

How long will implants last?

Dental implants are among the most conservative and successful services that we provide.  The long term success rates exceed that of bridgework and other tooth replacement methods. 

Will this take a long time?

Treatment time can vary greatly depending on your needs.  In some cases the replacement tooth or teeth are put on the implant the day the implants are placed.  Other cases require a few months of healing time prior to the placement of the teeth on the implants.  In such cases temporary teeth will be provided so you do not have to go without teeth.  Each situation is unique and Dr Crosby will be able to give you an approximate timetable. 

What will this cost?

Fees will vary depending on the number and type of implants to be used.  Other factors such as bone grafting and complex prosthetics can affect the cost.  Fees for the replacement of one tooth are comparable to fees for bridgework.  Fees for anchoring dentures are very reasonable considering the improvement in the quality of life that they provide.  Dental insurance generally pays a percentage for the teeth that go on the implant, but seldom for the placement of the implant.  The only way to know what implants will cost is to make an appointment for an exam.  A treatment plan will be devised detailing all fees.

How much implant experience does the doctor have?

Dr. Crosby is a member of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry.  After having placed and restored hundreds of dental implants, Dr. Crosby elected to advance his training and techniques by attending a comprehensive course in implant dentistry.  He recently completed the AAID Dental Implant MaxiCourse given by the Medical College of Georgia.  This was a ten month, 40 day, 300+ hour continuing education program covering all aspects of implant dentistry. The AAID MaxiCourse is among the most respected and comprehensive training programs in implant dentistry. After completion of the program, Dr Crosby met the educational and experiential requirements to apply for an Associate Fellowship with the American Academy of Implant Dentistry.  In December of 2011, Dr Crosby took and passed the written exam.  This is the first step of a two step process to achieve fellowship status.  In May of 2012, Dr Crosby will travel to the AAID headquaters in Chicago for part 2 of the Fellowship process.  This will involve an oral examination and the presentation of 3 implant cases completed by Dr Crosby that meet certain specified criteria.  This will be done before a panal of implantology examiners.   While there is no specialty in implant dentistry, these credentials substantiate a proficiency and expertise in implant dentistry.  More information can be obtained about this program through the AAID website.

For more information click on the AAID logo below: