Missing teeth?... Let Dr. Adler fill the gaps!

Dental implants have been a part of restorative dental procedures for about 30 years. Through the years, the dental profession has seen incredible progress in all aspects of implants, from placement techniques to the implant materials to the longevity and the esthetic quality. Originally invented in Sweden, dental implants are made of ultra-strong titanium and looks like a large screw.

Before	After

Dental implants are for situations where a single tooth, several teeth or a whole arch of teeth are missing. Implants not only stabilize the restoration that sits on top of it, but also stimulate bone growth around the implant. If a tooth is missing, the gums and bone it was attached to are no longer stimulated by the blood supply and activity of that tooth. Therefore, with the tooth gone, the surrounding bone and gums may resorb or melt away. Furthermore, the opposing tooth (on the opposite jaw) no longer has something to bite against, and may grow towards the space created by the missing tooth.

Implants are placed during a surgical procedure, directly in the jawbone and under the gums. The number of implants required depends on each person's individual situation. The surgical site with the implants are then left (under the gums) to allow the bone to grow around the implant and "osseo-integrate". Four to six months after the first surgery, the implant is uncovered from under the gums. An "abutment" or implant post is then connected to it, and the gums are given time to heal around this abutment. About a month later, a final tooth restoration is custom-made to fit onto the abutment. This final restoration could be a crown, bridge or denture.

Before	After
Actual Adler Patient

There seems to be a common misconception that implants will continually hurt as long as they are in. The fact is that this is not the case if the implant is properly placed. Naturally, there is some discomfort immediately after surgery. However, advancements in medication for dentistry can address the pain. As the site quickly heals, post surgical pain subsides.