• Dental implants are an option to replace a single, or multiple missing teeth, when the natural tooth or teeth cannot be saved. Dental implants are artificial roots that are surgically placed in your jawbone, under your gums. With adequate healing, they become fused to the bone and are able to have a crown attached to it that can help you chew, speak and smile with.
• Dental implants are the closest thing we have at this time in dentistry, that are designed to look, feel and function like your own teeth.
• Placement of dental implants is a minimally invasive procedure, which is performed routinely by periodontists who are trained specialists with this procedure.
• Dental implants can help keep neighboring or opposing teeth from moving or shifting and help keep bone in the area when a tooth is lost.
• Dental implants can provide you with a tooth or teeth that is/are not removable.

• Dental implants can also be placed to help hold a removable denture more securely in place.
• If there is not enough jawbone to place an implant, sometimes the bone can be regenerated.
• If you are considering having a dental implant because you anticipate losing a tooth, the area should be evaluated prior to removing the tooth, in order to plan accordingly.
• Proper planning will save you time and cost, for instance, if bone grafting is needed for an implant. Bone grafting performed after tooth removal is much more expensive and extensive.
• Dental implants can last for many years. However, risk factors must be assessed and discussed for every individual case, and good oral health is essential in maintaining implants.

Initial Consult

• After a clinical evaluation to evaluate your current overall health, oral health, bite, and other factors inside your mouth, including other teeth, gums and bone, Dr. Sasha will determine whether you are a good candidate for dental implants.
• She will also evaluate any recent radiographs that may have been forwarded on your behalf, take any necessary radiographs that are needed to assess the area, and in some cases, recommend that three dimensional imaging be performed (CBCT).
• Your options will be discussed including the risks, benefits, and timelines.
• Planning and coordination with your referring dentist is essential.
• A treatment plan, including estimated costs will be provided.
• If you are currently undergoing orthodontic treatment for future implant placement to replace a congenitally missing tooth or teeth, please consider having a surgical implant consultation, prior to having your braces removed to make sure you have enough space and bone volume for proper placement.

Placement of Dental Implants

• Once planning is complete, clear, and coordinated with you, your referring dentist, and our office, the process may begin.
• If a tooth needs to be removed, this will occur first. Sometimes, when indicated, a bone graft is placed at the time of removal.
• If there is insufficient bone, a bone graft may have to be performed in advance of implant placement.
• In some cases, a lack of supporting gums may also require gum grafting, to help protect your implant over the long term.
• Bone grafting may add an additional 6-9 months to your process, for healing purposes.
• If your tooth is already missing, and both your bone and gums are sufficient, a dental implant may be placed in a timely manner. Sometimes a surgical stent or guide is provided by your dentist to help communicate the ideal position with Dr. Sasha.
• Dental implant placement is routinely performed using local anesthetic alone.
• If you are very apprehensive about treatment, please discuss other options in advance with us.
• A few sutures will be placed in your mouth at the site of the implant, which are usually removed a couple of weeks later.
• Sometimes, an implant is placed, and months later, a second small surgical procedure is performed to uncover the implant and place a healing abutment. This is usually done in cases where a temporary removable tooth needs to be worn during the healing period.
• Once the implant is placed, your bone will grow into the threads and onto the surface of the implant over the next few months, which is called osseointegration.

Placing a Crown on your Dental Implant

• Once adequate healing has occurred (usually 3-6 months), and your implant has been deemed healthy and successful by Dr. Sasha, you will return to your referring dentist for them to take impressions for the tooth portion (crown and abutment).

Protecting your Dental Implant

• In order to protect your dental implant, and the crown on it so that you may enjoy it for years to come, in a healthy state, it is very important that you have regular cleanings and checkups.
• These cleanings may be recommended more frequently than you had previously, depending on your risk factors. The cleanings may be at your family dental office or may involve some alternating appointments with Stasko Perio.
• Once the crown or denture is placed on your implant(s), it is very important that your dentist demonstrates how to properly clean this site, which includes flossing when you are at home.
• If a removable night guard/splint was recommended in your case to protect your implant and natural teeth from the effects of grinding and clenching, it is very important that you wear it, as directed.
• Smoking is always discouraged. Smoking contributes to disease around implants and natural teeth and can lead to loss of dental implants, and natural teeth.

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