The evolution of an implant.

The evolution of an implant.

#1 Somehow acquire a bad tooth.

Break it off at the gums, have a root canal that fails, etc.

(example of tooth broken off at gums)

#2 Get the tooth extracted and then place the implant.

#3 Attach a post to the implant.

This will serve as a platform on which to place the crown.

#4 Place a crown on the post and you are back to full function.

This entire project took about 3 months to complete.

The patient is very happy with the results.

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Implant case

Wrapped up this case on Friday of last week.

Patient broke off half of her tooth.

The break was severe and extended down under the gums.

Patient did not want a bridge so an implant was chosen.

(Digital picture of tooth)

(X-Ray of tooth)

After the extraction both root sockets were examined and it was

determined that the socket farthest back would work best for the implant.

The implant was placed.

Bone grafting material was placed in the front most socket.

The spot was then stitched shut.

The implant is at bone level and the outcome for this case is extremely favorable.

The patient will now wait for about 6 weeks to make sure

that the implant site heals completely.

After that a tooth will be attached to the implant

and she will be back to her old self.

There are certain situations in which they don't work

but for the most part implants are wonderful.

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Implant case from yesterday.

Just finished up a nice implant case.

Patient came in with one of his four front teeth broken off at the gum line.

(Pictured here)

The big problem was that he already had bridges on both sides of the broken tooth.

Since he didn't want to destroy a good bridge he went for the implant.

We extracted the tooth, placed the implant, and placed a temporary on it the same day.

The patient returned in 8 weeks to receive the final crown.

He is very happy with the result.

(Pictured below)

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Painless tooth replacement.

"Painless tooth replacement"

"Teeth in a day"

We have all heard these claims and typically they are accompanied by promises that the doctor can,

almost magically, take out all of your teeth, put implants in, and place crowns on the teeth

with little to no pain, in just one day.

They may even show the patient biting into an apple right after the procedure.

In very rare and unique circumstances this MAY be the case. But for the other 99.7% of us, its not.

anytime you have surgery of ANY kind you need to heal.

The picture below shows a site where a tooth was recently extracted.

This site will be very tender for several days while the body heals.

That's just the way it works. Blood will rush to the site of any injury thus

creating inflammation (swelling) and moderate discomfort.

If implants are placed that too will cause some type of discomfort.

To say that teeth can be extracted and implants placed and that you can begin

eating right away with no pain whatsoever is just not true. What is typically

happening is that these people are trying to suck you in and then sell you on something else.

Simply do lots and lots of homework before letting these places touch your mouth.

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Missing tooth and peg lateral case.

Kristi is a patient that came to our office with a couple of problems.

First off, one of her four front teeth was missing.

The tooth never came in.

Secondly, the matching tooth on the other side did not form completely.

It is what we call a peg lateral.

We did a couple of things for Kristi.

We placed an implant in the spot where the one tooth was missing.

After that healed we placed crowns on both the implant and the small tooth.

Here are the before and after pictures and x-rays.

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Tongue Piercing = Bad Idea

Tongue Piercing

You see it all the time.

People with barbells sticking out their tongue.

You may even have one yourself.

But is it safe?

In a word...... NO!

Can you feel a stray hair on your arm? Probably not.

Can you feel a stray hair on your leg? Again, probably not.

Can you feel a hair in your mouth? Absolutely.

The reason for this is because the tongue has more nerves contained in it then almost any other part of your entire body. It is very sensitive and very precise. Therefore, ramming a large steel rod through it will certainly damage these nerves. Piercing the tongue can lead to a loss in ability to feel your tongue and ability to taste food.

Besides loss of taste and feel there are also other dangers.

Since the mouth can not be kept sterile, as other parts you may pierce,

the chance of infection is greater. The above picture is a very nicely infected tongue.

Cracking your teeth on a tongue ring is also a very real concern. I have treated many cracked teeth from people biting down on tongue rings.

Want another reason?

How about this one.

If you catch your tongue ring on something. You can actually pull it out of your tongue and cause, this......

Look Fun????

My suggestion, DON'T DO IT!!!

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