Dental Implants
in Lehigh Valley

Dental Implants

Dental implants have revolutionized the way dentistry is practiced.  Whether you’re missing one tooth or multiple teeth, dental implants can be the best solution for you.  Dental implants offer fixed replacement of your teeth.  That means no need for a “flipper” or denture that you have to remove from your mouth.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are small titanium posts that replace the roots of teeth.  The special quality of titanium allows bone to grow completely around a dental implant and keep it stable.  Once the bone has stabilized the dental implant, a tooth or denture can be attached to the implant.  Now the replacement tooth can function just like a normal, natural tooth

Zygomatic Dental Implants

Jawbone deterioration is a common side effect of tooth loss, especially after losing one or more teeth. Oftentimes, this means that patients must somehow restore that jawbone before getting dental implants, whether it’s through a bone graft or donated material. But through the expertise of an oral and maxillofacial surgeon like Dr. Chaudhry, patients like you can have zygomatic implants placed.

Zygomatic implants extend to the zygomatic bone in the upper part of the jaw, allowing the implant to be secured without the need for an invasive bone graft. With these lengthier implants, you can have a complete set of permanent teeth within 24 hours at Lehigh Valley Oral Surgery and Implant Center.

The Surgical Procedure

For some patients, this may seem like an intimidating procedure, but Dr. Chaudhry’s patients usually have a single dental implant placed in less than one hour with almost no pain or discomfort.  The procedure can be performed either with local anesthesia or with IV sedation.

Utilizing the newest, proper sterile technique, your procedure will be performed in a relaxed, comfortable surgical suite.  If you choose IV sedation, a small IV will be started in your arm and you will enter a twilight sedation.  When you wake up your dental implant will be in place and soon afterwards you will be ready to go home.

If you choose to do the procedure under local anesthesia, you will be completely numbed in the area of the implant.  All you will feel is a little pressure and vibration while the implant site is prepared and the implant is placed.

The entire procedure will usually take less than one hour.

If a “Two-Stage” implant is placed, you will return several months later to have the dental implant uncovered.  This involves anesthetizing the area and exposing the implant.  A small healing abutment is placed which protrudes through the gum tissue a few millimeters.  This will allow your gum tissue to heal properly around the implant.

About two weeks later,  you will be ready for a final impression by your general dentist.  Once your crown is fabricated it will be placed permanantly in your mouth.

Surgical Advances

Surgical advances in the field of dental implants allow Dr. Chaudhry to now place some implants in a “single-stage” procedure.  The implant is placed and a healing abutment attached at the same time.  This allows a quicker healing time and tooth replacement several months quicker than the traditional method

Ask Dr. Chaudhry if this method is right in your situation

What Types Of Prosthesis Are Available?

From missing a single tooth to all your teeth, dental implants can be the right solution for you.  If you are missing a single tooth, your dentist may have offered you a traditional bridge or partial denture as a replacement option.  However, both of those solutions have serious drawbacks.  With a bridge, adjacent teeth to the missing tooth have to be ground down to fit the bridge.  With a partial denture, it needs to be removed and cleaned every day.

Dental implants replace single teeth without disturbing the adjacent teeth.  The dental implants serves as the anchor and a crown is attached to the dental implant.

If you are missing several teeth, dental implants can serve as the foundation for a bridge or partial denture.

If you are missing all of your teeth, there are several options for replacing your teeth.  Two dental implants can support an “implant supported overdenture” which will add retention to a loose denture.  A ball and socket type attachment usually secures the denture to the implants.  These type of dentures still need to be removed and cleaned every day.

Placing four implants in the lower jaw can usually give a patient a fixed prosthesis that does not have to be removed from the mouth.  Four implants provide enough support to handle this type of fixed replacement.  In the upper jaw, usually 4-5 implants are required for the same type of prosthesis.

Why Dental Implants?

Dental implants are a way to merge the latest technology with the function and esthetics you desire in your smile.  The success rate of implants is over 90% and in many cases close to 100%.  At Lehigh Valley Oral Surgery and Implant Center, you can rest assured that we stand behind all of our work.

Why Select Dental Implants Over More Traditional Types Of Restorations?

There are several reasons: Why sacrifice the structure of surrounding good teeth to bridge a space? In addition, removing a denture or a “partial” at night may be inconvenient, not to mention that dentures that slip can be uncomfortable and rather embarrassing.

Are You A Candidate For Implants?

If you are considering implants, your mouth must be examined thoroughly and your medical and dental history reviewed. If your mouth is not ideal for implants, ways of improving outcome, such as bone grafting, may be recommended.

What Type Of Anesthesia Is Used?

The majority of dental implants and bone graft can be performed in the office under local anesthesia, with or without general anesthesia.

Do Implants Need Special Care?

Once the implants are in place, they will serve you well for many years if you take care of them and keep your mouth healthy. This means taking the time for good oral hygiene (brushing and flossing) and keeping regular appointments with your dental specialists.

Continuing Cost of Bridges and Dentures

While Bridges and Dentures are less expensive at the outset, you should consider that both options have sometimes considerable continuing expenses. Bridges, by their structure, cut down the neighboring abutment teeth – which can lead to weakness and repeated treatments. Dentures cannot preserve the jaw bone the way Dental Implants can, so the jaw shrinks as the bone is resorbed, leading to ill-fitting Dentures and repeated rounds of re-fitting and re-placing. Over a lifetime, Dental Implants can be the cost-effective as well as esthetic choice.

Financing for Dental Implants

First, check with your dental insurance carrier to see what portion, if any, of dental implants they cover.  Care Credit offers no-interest and low-interest loans for medical procedures including dental implants.  Dental Implants are an investment in your health as well as your appearance. A full set of teeth makes eating a pleasure again, making it easier to eat a balanced, healthy diet. A full set of teeth also preserves the contours of the face, keeping you from looking old before your time.

You’ll want to discuss all your options with your dentist and oral surgeon [or periodontist], but don’t let the initial cost discourage you from getting Dental Implants.