Dental Implants
A dental implant offers the best replacement for lost teeth. A missing tooth can affect the way you eat, the way you speak, and the way you feel. We believe in giving you back a confident smile. Before placing a dental implant, bone strengthening procedures may be needed, and can vary from simple bone augmentation at the same time as your implant surgery to more advanced bone grafting prior to implant placement. Just like natural teeth, dental implants must be kept clean and cared for to prevent gum infections and bone loss (peri-mucositis and peri-implantitis). Our office specializes in maintaining dental implants long-term and treating dental implant infections.
treatments offered
Dental implant surgery
Treatment of infections around dental implants (peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis)
Simple and advanced bone reconstruction
Sinus bone augmentation
And other treatments as required
Dental implant surgery
Dental implants can replace one tooth, multiple missing teeth, and a full arch of teeth. There are two parts to an implant: the anchor (implant fixture) that is placed in the jaw bone and the crown portion (implant crown) that looks just like a tooth. Unlike traditional bridges, dental implants do not require damaging adjacent teeth by shaving them down. When used under partials or complete dentures, dental implants act as anchors that secure your denture in a fixed or removable fashion. Our doctors specialize in placing implant fixtures that will serve as the foundation of your dentist’s final implant crown, implant bridge, or implant supported denture.
Treatment of infections around dental implants (peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis)
Just like with teeth, dental implants can develop gum infections that can sometimes cause bone loss. Dr. Lam Watt and Dr. Hsu are experienced in managing peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis, saving dental implants, and replacing dental implants that need to come out.
Simple and advanced bone reconstruction
Often, teeth are lost because of gum disease, infection or trauma. These causes can also affect the jaw bone, which may need rebuilding with bone grafting prior to implant surgery. Our doctors can do bone reconstruction and implant placement the same day, which offers shorter healing time and less cost. With complex cases, advanced bone reconstruction can be undertaken first, and then after a bone growth period, the implant can be placed. Our doctors will use their extensive experience and patient knowledge to provide a timeline so you can anticipate each step before starting treatment.
Sinus bone augmentation
Sinus bone grafting increases the amount of bone available to anchor longer dental implants in the upper premolar and molar area. After losing a tooth in this region, the sinus tends to expand (pneumatize) and reduce the amount of bone available for dental implants. Our doctors use sinus bone grafting techniques and simultaneous implant placement and — in more severe bone loss cases — advanced sinus augmentation with delayed dental implants.