Dental Implants

For thousands of people, missing teeth can result in problems with eating, speaking, or being able to smile with confidence. If you are one of these individuals, you should know that there is safe and effective treatment available to help you with these problems. Dental Implants! Today, dental implants represent one of the best solutions available to give you back your missing teeth. Whether you've lost one tooth, several teeth, or are missing all of your teeth, dental implants can return you to chewing well and looking and feeling your very best.

What Are Dental Implants

The dental implants that we use most commonly today are threaded post made of titanium.They are approximately the size of the original tooth roots that they replace. These "artificial roots" areplaced into the bones of theupper or lower jaws using a very gentle surgical process. The procedure is typically much more easily tolerated by you thanwhen your original teeth were removed. This means that you can expect much less discomfort and swelling. Research conducted over more than 40 years has shown that these implants are well accepted by our bodies without the risk of allergic reaction. Once in place in the jaws, the bone grows around the implants locking them securely into place. This is a process we call "osseointegration".

After a period of healing, the replacement teeth are then made. These teeth are commonly made using either porcelain or a synthetic resin. This process is very much like the crown and bridgework that Dentistry has used for many years to fit to your own natural teeth. These new teeth can then be attached to the implants allowing you to chew while giving you the look and feel of natural teeth.

Commonly Asked Questions

How long does it take before I get my implant teeth?
Once the implants are placed into the jawbone, it takes a number of weeks for nature to lock the implants into place. We once thought that this "locking process" took up to 6 months. More recent research studies (some of which we ourselves have conducted) have shown that the locking process may now be as short as 2 months. During this waiting period, we typically place "temporary teeth" so that you don't have to do without. Afterwards, several appointments are needed to make the final teeth. Treatment needs do vary from person to person though so an exam by one of our doctors is needed to determine what the best treatment for you is.

Will my implant teeth look like real teeth?
Implant teeth can have the look and feel that rivals natural teeth. And for some individuals with problems with their teeth, the implant teeth can look much better.

Am I too old for implants?
No! Definitely not! We treat patients in all age categories. We have successfully treated patients as young as 18 and others in their middle 90's. The question really isn't, "am I too old", but rather, "what do I want out of my life". If you really want to have the ability to chew well while having your smile look it's best, then implants are for you.

I have a history of health problems and take a number of medications. Does this mean I can't have implants?
Many of our patients are under treatment for diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, or other health problems. Usually, if your health problem is well controlled by you physician through medications and/or lifestyle changes, then you can have dental implant treatment.

Do I have to stay overnight in the hospital for the implant surgery?
Not at all. We perform all of the procedures in an outpatient setting in our offices. The implant placement surgery is done using a local anesthetic to numb the site needing treatment. This is the same anesthetic your dentist uses to place a filling in your tooth. If you are anxious, we can use medications that will relax you. We can even put you to sleep if you prefer. But no matter what approach makes you most comfortable, you'll be alert and able to go home the same day that you receive your implants.

I've been told that since I lost my teeth, my jaw bone has shrunk. Does this mean that I can not have implants?
While it is true that when a tooth is removed, the bone of the jaw shrinks sometimes considerably, we have many effective techniques that can be used to rebuild lost bone and still obtain excellent results with implants.

If you or anyone you know suffers from missing teeth, our implant team is ready to serve you. Dr. Toljanic is The Cheif of University of Chicago Hospital's Dental Department . He is the head of our implant team and is a world renowned authority on implant restorations.