Dental Implants

Dental implants are changing the way people live. After 50 years of research and over 20 years of successful clinical use, dental implants are the best option for the replacement of missing teeth. They are designed to provide a foundation for replacement teeth that look, feel, and function like your natural teeth. The person who has lost teeth regains the ability to eat virtually anything, knowing that teeth appear natural and that facial contours will be preserved. Patients with dental implants can smile with confidence.

Dr. Boerman founded the New England Center for Dental Implants to provide you with state of the art implant surgery completed comfortably in a AAAHC accredited surgicenter. Dr. Boerman’s twenty years of experience with placing implants coupled with his trained staff and modern facility ensure quality results when you need implant replacement of teeth.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are titanium posts placed in the jaws to replace the roots of teeth. They can be used as anchors or foundations for replacing single tooth crowns, multiple tooth bridges, or removeable dentures.

Implants also help preserve facial structure, preventing bone deterioration that occurs when teeth are missing. The titanium posts are surgically placed in the bone of the upper or lower jaw during a brief outpatient procedure. In most situations your restorative dentist does not add the crown until the implant and jawbone have fused (two to six months). In some cases where aesthetics is of concern a temporary crown may be placed on the same day as the implant surgery. Dr. Boerman and your dentist can tell you if this procedure is right for you.

The Surgical Procedure

Traditionally the placement of dental implants involves two surgical procedures. At the first stage surgery, after you are comfortably anesthetized, implants are placed within your jawbone. After a small incision in the gum, one precisely measured hole is prepared in the bone where each implant will be inserted. The gum is repositioned over the implants and sutures are placed. For the first three to six months following surgery, the implants are beneath the surface of the gums gradually bonding with the jawbone. You should be able to wear temporary dentures and eat a soft diet during this time. Most patients report that the implant surgery and recovery are similar to or easier than having a tooth removed.

After the implant has bonded to the jawbone, the second phase begins. Dr. Boerman will uncover the implants and attach small posts that protrude through the gums and will act as anchors for the artificial teeth. When the artificial teeth are placed, these posts will not be seen. The entire procedure usually takes three to six months. Most patients experience minimal disruption in their daily life.

Dr. Boerman performs in-office implant surgery in a hospital-style operating suite, thus optimizing the level of sterility. Operating suites at the New England Center for Dental Implants also allow for treatment of patients who have special medical or anesthetic needs or for those who need extensive bone grafting from the jaw, hip or tibia. In most instances patients can have their surgical procedures completed in our special facilities without the need for hospitalization.

Surgical Advances

At the New England Center for Dental Implants, Dr. Boerman is able to place “single stage” implants using the most recent advances in dental implant technology. These implants do not require a second procedure to uncover them, but do require a minimum of eight weeks of healing time before artificial teeth are placed. There are even situations where the implants can be placed at the same time as a tooth extraction – further minimizing the number of surgical procedures. Advances in dental implant technology have made it possible, in select cases, to extract teeth and place implants with crowns at one visit. This “immediate loading” procedure requires excellent bone quality to ensure initial stability of the implant.

Implants are a team effort between an oral and maxillofacial surgeon and a restorative dentist. While Dr. Boerman performs the initial tooth extractions, bone grafting if necessary, and actual implant surgery your restorative dentist makes and fits the permanent prosthesis (crowns, bridges, or dentures). Your dentist will also make any temporary prosthesis needed during the implant process.

What Types Of Prosthesis Are Available?

A single prosthesis (crown) is used to replace one missing tooth – each prosthetic tooth attaches to its own implant. A partial prosthesis (fixed bridge) can replace two or more teeth and may require two or three implants. The number of implants varies depending upon which type of complete prosthesis (removable or fixed) is recommended. A removable prosthesis (over denture) attaches to a bar or ball in socket attachments, whereas a fixed prosthesis is permanent and removable only by the dentist.

Why Dental Implants?

Dental implants provide unique quality of life benefits. Not only do dental implants look, feel, and perform like your healthy natural teeth, they help protect your oral health by reducing the bone loss that often accompanies the use of conventional dentures that rest on the gum. Dental implants enable you to eat and enjoy foods you crave without restriction and allow you to speak clearly and confidently without embarrassing clicking noises or slipping dentures. For single tooth replacement the implant restoration offers improved hygiene and longevity compared to traditional bridgework.

Dental implants can be your doorway to renewed self-confidence and peace of mind.

A Swedish scientist and orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Per-Ingvar Branemark, developed this concept for oral rehabilitation more than 35 years ago. With his pioneering research, Dr. Branemark opened the door to a lifetime of renewed comfort and self-confidence for millions of individuals facing the frustration and embarrassment of tooth loss.

Why Select Dental Implants Over More Traditional Types Of Restorations?

There are several reasons:

• Implants aid in the prevention of bone loss preserving facial form and function.
• Using implants to support restorations avoids injury to healthy adjacent teeth.
• Implants provide the most natural looking, long lasting restorations available giving you self-assurance and confidence.

Are You A Candidate For Implants?

If you are considering implants, your mouth must be examined thoroughly and your medical and dental history reviewed. If your mouth is not ideal for implants, ways of improving outcome, such as bone grafting, may be recommended. After a clinical and radiographic exam and consultation, Dr. Boerman in concert with your restorative dentist can tell you if you are a good candidate.

What Type Of Anesthesia Is Used?

The majority of dental implants and bone grafts can be performed in the office under local anesthesia, intravenous sedation, or general anesthesia. Our goal at the New England Center for Dental Implants is to give you the most pleasant surgical experience possible.

Do Implants Need Special Care?

Once the implants are in place, they will serve you well for many years if you take care of them and keep your mouth healthy. This means taking the time for good oral hygiene (brushing and flossing) and keeping regular appointments with your dental specialists.