Dental Implants – You & Your Surgeon. Why That’s Best.

For some dental patients the idea of a ‘one stop shop’ might seem appealing, but before you make that decision, here are some things to think about:

1. “Specialists have a place in the dental community,” says Dr. Judith Ko, your Hemet Valley, CA Top Dentist in the Inland Empire. “While general dentists see a few patients a week or month needing specialized care, your dental specialist sees that type of patient every day and all day. Consequently, they are much better at handling the challenges that may arise.”

2. Implants are an amazing service provided to a patient to replace missing teeth. Generally speaking finding the right surgeon to work with your general dentist is the best option for you as a patient – it allows you to benefit from the surgeon who has significant experience placing implants and the general dentist who is the most appropriate to restore the implant. Also having two dentists discuss placement and agree on treatment is always in a patient’s best interest for a final outcome.

3. While many times the placement of an implant seems easy and straight forward, there is more to it than that. “Implants are often recommended to replace missing teeth that may have been lost due to damage or decay,” adds Dr. Ko. This means the implant site might have reduced bone due to infection. This presents a special challenge. When bone is lost, tissue may also be affected and so the need for bone and tissue grafting may become part of the treatment. Using a specialist who frequently handles tissue, means that they understand the desired outcome of a healthy smile and they know how to make that happen.

If you are considering an implant, call us today for a consultation and let us help you repair the smile you love.

Is The Dental Bridge Becoming Obsolete?

Well, maybe not obsolete, but certainly it is recommended less frequently as a first option than before.

Implants have come a long way. “We are seeing they provide a strong foundation for placing crowns, which makes them in most situations the optimal choice for restoring a missing tooth,” says Dr. Judith Ko from her Hemet Valley Dental Practice.

A dental bridge for a number of years was the only option for patients. Having a dental bridge meant that to replace a missing tooth for cosmetics or to restore chewing ability, the two teeth adjacent to the missing tooth would be modified and crowns would be placed over them with a pontic (false tooth) suspended between. “Bridges work, they are not bad, but they do impact the teeth on either side of the missing one,” adds Dr. Ko.

With implants you are able to restore the single tooth without impacting the ones surrounding it. “Initially the cost of a surgeon placing an implant made the difference in which option many patients chose, as the cost of an implant was slightly higher, but now that is no longer a factor.”

And many more people than once thought are candidates for implants. “We now have more options in the type of implants that can be placed and restored, which means more patients have an implant as an option.”

If you are wondering about implants, give us a call. We’d love to help you determine if an implant is right for you.

Re-Considering Dental Implants

Over the years, dental implants have gained in popularity. It’s easy to understand why. A dental implant is placed into bone and, once integrated, will provide stable support for individual teeth or even dentures. But for some they may have been told they were not candidates.

“Years ago, a number of contra-indications kept some patients from having access to dental implants,” says Dr. Judith Ko from her Hemet Valley, California Cosmetic and GeneralDental Practice, “but things have changed since then and perhaps it’s time to discuss dental implants with your dentist again.”

Recently there have been significant changes, not only to the implants themselves, but also in the techniques and designs that allow many patients previously unable to consider implants to enjoy the stability they provide. “If you once had thought about implants only to learn you were not a candidate, perhaps it’s time you revisit the issue with your dentist,” adds Dr. Ko, “You might find that a dental implant could be a possibility.”

For example, not long ago, diabetics were not considered good candidates for implants. Now the consensus is that controlled diabetics can many times find success with implants, as can patients who previously had radiation therapy and those who it was felt did not have enough bone to work with.

One of the best reasons to re-consider dental implants is the success rate of implants. “Dental implants can provide people with improved enjoyment of food, better digestive health and a lovely appearance,” says Dr. Ko. Find out today if you might now be a candidate for a dental implant.

Dental Implant or Dental Bridge?

Most often when a patient presents with a missing tooth, one of three recommendations will be made: 1.) Dental Implant,  2.) Dental Bridge, or 3.) Dental Implant and Dental Bridge.

Dental Implants are generally the best option when the teeth adjacent to the missing tooth are intact and have had no fillings or other dental care to restore them to health. When this is the case, the best option will most likely be a dental implant. "Dental implants allow your dentist to replace a single tooth without compromising any additional teeth," says Dr. Judith Ko from her Hemet Valley Dental Practice. "When this option is best, your general dentist will most likely refer you to a specialist who will surgically place the implant," Dr. Ko adds. When the implant is ready, a crown will be placed, restoring the space.

Sometimes a Dental Bridge is the better option. This is the case when the adjacent teeth are already compromised or are decaying. Dental Bridges rely on the adjacent teeth for support and then a pontic, or false tooth, is created to fill the gap.

The third option is generally used when the span of the missing teeth or the location creates a challenge. For example: when the missing tooth is the last one in the mouth or there are several missing teeth in one area.

If you are missing a tooth, check with your dentist to see what are your options.