Are Dental Implants Safe?
Dental implants are safe and have been proven to be effective for replacing missing teeth when provided by an oral surgeon. Many people may have questions about the safety of the materials that make up the dental implant and the prosthetic, or replacement tooth. As you’ll learn in this blog post, not only is the dental implant surgery safe and predictable, but the materials that go into your dental implant are also strong, safe, and aesthetically pleasing.
The dental implant, the tiny post into which your prosthetic, or replacement tooth, is anchored, is made of titanium. Titanium is biocompatible, meaning the body accepts it without issue. Additionally, the titanium implant functions as a sturdy and durable foundation for the patient’s new teeth. The natural bone beneath the mouth’s surface fuses to the implant in a process called osseointegration. Osseointegration gives the new teeth a stable foundation so that they function just like natural teeth.
Dental implants are the strongest technology available to support teeth replacements. Dental implants allow replacement teeth to look, feel, and function just like natural teeth. Moreover, dental implants are the only method of restoration that stimulates the natural bone underneath the replaced tooth.
Dental implants are advanced technology that require a credentialed, experienced implant dentist or oral surgeon to achieve the best and safest results. Our oral surgeons are at the forefront of the dental implant field. In fact, Dr. Pikos is a renowned educator, sought out by dental implant professionals the world over for his skill and expertise in the area of dental implants. The Pikos Institute is a hub for dental implant clinicians from around the world to expand their skill set and learn from a true master in the field.
The Same Day Teeth® Protocol
Same Day Teeth® is a revolutionary protocol for dental implants which provides the same great results of traditional dental implants but without the waiting time—which can often be months-long—down to a single office visit. This makes a world of difference for patients, as they no longer have to wait between the placement of their implants at one surgical visit, and the insertion of their restorations at another; they go home with a new smile on the same day their implants are placed.
How is this efficiency achieved? For Same Day Teeth®, we use the same state-of-the-art technology we use for traditional dental implants to plan the surgical procedure with the greatest accuracy and precision. All procedures begin with a full imaging work-up using a 3D cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scan. This scan allows us to evaluate the underlying bone structure and plan for the optimal placement of the dental implants (the tiny metal posts inserted in the underlying bone). Equipped with these images, we then use a surgical planning software that develops the optimal treatment strategy and acts as a guide throughout the procedure.
Our computer-guided dental implant surgery uses the nSequence® proprietary protocol to find the optimal placement locations for the dental implants. Next, we place a bar-supported, immediate-load, full-arch restoration during the same visit as the implant placement surgery.
Our prosthodontist then creates the restoration. Our custom-designed prosthetics are milled from a solid block of polymathy methacrylate (PMMA) using impressions and computer images of the patient’s bite. PMMA is safe; it is non-toxic and highly biocompatible. Additionally, it is durable and is color matched to achieve the optimal functional and aesthetic results. With Same Day Teeth®, we can achieve immediate enhancement to the function and aesthetics of a patient’s bite.
If you are interested in dental implants, contact us today at 1-800-NEW-LOOK to learn more about Same Day Teeth® or traditional dental implants and to schedule your consultation. We have offices in the Tampa Bay area in Trinity, Palm Harbor, and Spring Hill, Florida.