Sandy Springs Dentist: Dental Implants are….

Your Natural Choice in Tooth Replacement.

Whenever a tooth is lost, if possible it should be replaced with an implant.  Failure to replace the tooth with an implant will ultimately contribute to the loss of facial bone structure.  Dental implants are essentially artificial tooth roots, eliminating the need for dentures or bridgework.  The advantages vary from patient to patient and type of restoration, but in addition to retained bone structure there may be improved chewing ability, better speech, a more secure fit of the restoration, greater comfort, and improved self-esteem.

The implant itself is made from Titanium and is surgically implanted in the jawbone to function in a similar way to a natural tooth root.  Depending on the individuals varying biological characteristics, it may be necessary for the implant to heal in the jawbone for a period of 3 to 6 months, allowing your bone to grow onto the implant in a process called Osseo-integration.

Once integrated, the implant is then exposed from the gum tissue, and a restoration consisting of one or more replacement teeth, is fabricated by the prosthodontist to fit on top of the implants.  In other cases it is possible to fit the teeth to the implants soon after implant placement, called immediate loading implants.

The restoration can be attached in several ways:

• Removable structure, using special bars and clips.

• Fixed or screw retained, using special screws and cement so that only your dentist can remove it, if necessary.

In the case of dentures, an implant-supported overdenture fits more securely than a conventional denture which rests on the gum tissue and offers no form of mechanical attachment.  The difference is the implants participate integrally in retaining bone structure in the jaw line.

Where a single tooth is lost, adjacent healthy teeth can remain intact and unaffected by an implant-supported restoration.  This is unlike conventional bridgework where healthy teeth are structurally altered to support the bridge.

Implants are usually placed under local anesthesia in the periodontist’s or oral surgeon’s office.  The procedure involved in placing the implants is generally not painful and usually requires minimal recovery time and post-operative medication.

Only your dentist can tell whether you’re a candidate for dental implants.  Certain health conditions (like uncontrolled diabetes) or risk factors (like smoking) may preclude your ability to undergo implant therapy.  In addition, appropriate hygiene must be established prior to implant therapy and must be maintained to ensure the long-term success of the implant.  As part of this growing trend, we are now placing implants in our office.  If we can be of assistance or answer any of your concerns or questions please feel free to contact our office.

Novy Scheinfeld, DDS, PC

290 Carpenter Drive, 200A

Atlanta (Sandy Springs), GA 30328

404-256-3620

www.rightsmilecenter.com

info@rightsmilecenter.com

Related articles

• Dentistry Sandy Springs - Considering Dental Implants? (therightsmile.wordpress.com)
• Dentist Sandy Springs - ADA Accredited Prosthodontist is Your Cosmetic Dentist (therightsmile.wordpress.com)
• Dentist Sandy Springs - Success Rates of Dental Implants (therightsmile.wordpress.com)
• Sandy Springs Periodontist: Considering Dental Implants? (therightsmile.wordpress.com)
• Sandy Springs Dentist Reviews : Metro Atlanta (therightsmile.wordpress.com)
• Implant Dentist in Sandy Springs (therightsmile.wordpress.com)
• What is a Prosthodontist? : Dr. Novy Scheinfeld : North Atlanta (therightsmile.wordpress.com)

Dentist Alpharetta: How much do dental implants cost?

If you are trying to figure out the ins and outs of  implants verses the older more conventional methods of tooth replacement, the cost of dental implants at first blush may appear high, and therefore, unaffordable to most people.  But appearances can be deceiving if you examine the beneficial differences and the time involved by your specialist.  While I have written on those issues before, let’s explore other aspects of price and how different dental implants may differ very significantly depending on different factors.

The real concern for the patient is ‘where and how’ to find a low cost quality dental implant, and is most likely the driven adjective ‘low cost’ a result of the perception by the patient that teeth are utilitarian to their daily life.  That’s really not the case, but to put the cost into perspective, all the while considering that your teeth aren’t really as appreciated as much as they should be, let’s examine what goes into the cost of a dental implant.

4 Factors that Drive the Cost of Dental Implants:

The Material:
The traditional materials – prices of cobalt-chromium alloy and titanium are not the same.  Implants from cobalt-chromium (CC) alloy rods are cheaper than comparable titanium implants, but when it comes to zirconium dioxide, then cost of a dental implant may appear to be cost prohibitive to the patient.  But, depending on where the implant is being placed, you may end up with a less than satisfactory result with the less expensive CC implant.

The Size:
This case is a significant factor.  The bigger the implant, the more material, the more it costs, but also the more it may do.  Also, special coatings applied to the surface of the implant, contribute to better osseo-integration with the bone, will affect the cost of the dental implant.

The Manufacturer:
Different manufacturers put different prices on similar rods made from the same material. Some manufacturers include some kind of an extra charge in the dental implant’s price for their brand name. This is a lot more esoteric and therefore harder to explain.   It’s like trying to explain the difference between Polo and Hanes T-shirts.

Finally, it may depend on where your dentist gets his implants from.  And this factor may be a function of how motivated your provider is in providing you with the best implant material for the least amount of cost to you.  Some of that may just end up being economies of scale by your provider.  Does your provider have contacts directly with manufactures in China or Israel, where the dental implant cost can be significantly reduced, while the indirect purchase of dental implants from U.S dental suppliers may ratchet up the price?

If the price is too good to be true?

The cost of an dental implant starts from around $1,500 up to $5,000.00 .  Anything less may be an indicator that you’re getting an inferior product or one not designed for a particular location in your mouth.  (Mini-plants, which I have discussed before, are the exception to the rule.)  Short term the implant device may appear to be fully functional.  But if we look at the cost and the cost of other materials for dental implants compared to their operational life, the difference may be likened to the difference between Toyo’s and Michelin tires.  Here again you may get what you pay for and the initial cost may appear affordable, but in the  long term you are going to get a better result with respect to how it functions and how long it lasts if your provider installs Michelins.

A lot of your choice and cost may depend on the choice of your provider.   It’s not to say the more you spend the better you will be.  Rather, a reputable practitioner, who is truly trained in the placement and restoration (and this may be two providers), may be a significant factor in what you end up with and what it costs.  Trust and reputation are the more difficult factors to define for the patient.

Novy Scheinfeld, DDS, PC

290 Carpenter Drive, 200A

Atlanta (Sandy Springs), GA 30328

404-256-3620

www.rightsmilecenter.com

info@rightsmilecenter.com

Related articles

·    Dentist Sandy Springs: Dental Emergency? Physician or Dentist? (therightsmile.wordpress.com)

·    Dentist Sandy Springs: What [5] Questions Do Patients Ask About Dental Implants? (therightsmile.wordpress.com)

·    Dentist Sandy Springs: Success Rates of Dental Implants (therightsmile.wordpress.com)

Dentist Atlanta: What [5] Questions Do Patients Ask About Dental Implants?

I read this article by Jim Du Molin and thought it might be interesting to readers and my patients.

We (I'm assuming Jim Du Molin) conducted a survey that asked dentists what questions dental patients ask when considering getting implants. It turns out that there’s a real difference between the questions dental implant patients do ask — and which questions they should be asking.

Dentists responded with the following . . .

The top 5 questions dental patients ask -                              

1.      How much do dental implants cost?

2.      How long do dental implants last?

3.      Are implants painful?

4.      How long will it take to get my new teeth?

5.      Does dental insurance cover implant surgery?

Versus . . .

The top 5 questions dentists want patients to ask -

1.      Am I a good candidate for implants?

2.      What are the potential complications of dental implant therapy?

3.      How much implant experience does the doctor have?

4.      What is the healing time for my implants?

5.      Can implants improve my appearance?

Many dental implant patients seem to have the same questions about dental implant therapy. Unfortunately, these questions aren’t necessarily the ones dentists think they should be asking.

The 2 main questions patients ask are -

1.      How much do dental implants cost?

2.      Will dental implant surgery be painful?

When dentists feel their very first question should be -

1.      Am I a good candidate for dental implants?

There is really a disconnect between the doctor and patient. This really is no surprise, since patients are thinking about how they are going to pay for the implants, and whether the procedure will be painful.

But doctors can’t afford not to address the primary concerns of the patient first: cost and pain.

One dentist wrote, “Long term, when the conditions are favorable, proper bone density, height and width, proper biomechanical considerations, proper occlusal load. A dental implant is more cost effective over a 3 unit bridge. However, when the above conditions are not meet — the 3 unit bridge (with sufficient ferule, impressions taken with custom made tray and properly impressioned, properly articulated, preprosthetic endodontic treatment performed by an endodontist, core-restoration — not in composite) will be more cost effective (for the patient).”

If you would like to learn more about implants and your candidacy please call or email your question.

Novy Scheinfeld, DDS, PC

290 Carpenter Drive, 200A

Atlanta (Sandy Springs), GA 30328

404-256-3620

www.rightsmilecenter.com

info@rightsmilecenter.com

Pasted from <http://www.thewealthydentist.com/blog/1509/survey-what-questions-do-patients-ask-about-dental-implants/>

Related articles

• 9 Important Facts about Dental Implants (therightsmile.wordpress.com)
• Mini Dental Implants (therightsmile.wordpress.com)
• So much information - about dental implants (therightsmile.wordpress.com)
• The future of Implant Dentistry is here now. (therightsmile.wordpress.com)



Dentist Roswell: The Mercury Filling Controversy

Whenever I hear a patient ask about amalgam restorations (usually referred to as mercury fillings), I wonder why this question refuses to go away.  For decades, amalgams have been considered the primary restorative material for posterior teeth (the ones in the back) because of their long time success.  After enormous amounts of study the World Health Organization, the FDI World Dental Federation, and the American Dental Association continue to endorse the use of amalgam to restore teeth.   Yet it continues to be demonized by the public, in particular in urban legends over the internet.

As a result the trend is towards the less and less use of amalgams and the greater use of composite resins to restore posterior teeth.  One of our consultants, Tom Limoli of Limoli and Associates notes that US third-party payment data reflects that 65% of direct posterior restorations last year were resin-based composite, while 35% were amalgam.  So regardless of the empirical evidence to the contrary, the patient pool is demanding composite restorations.

Every dentist will need an alternative material to use in the restoration of posterior teeth as this trend continues.  The challenge for the dentist is that composite resins only have a life expectancy of 5 to 8 years.  Given the patient’s desire to be rid of the potential or theoretical health hazards that have been formulated in recent years, amalgam restorations will ultimately be eliminated by the slow and natural death of attrition.  While amalgam has been the material of choice for decades and still remains the primary source of teaching in dental schools today, it may not be in the future.  Given the patient demand for composite restorations and what appears to be the dentist’s propensity to capitulate, we are going to need a better solution to posterior restorations if we want to achieve the same longevity that is achieved through amalgam restorations.

The internet has continued to create an uncertainty on the part of the lay public about amalgams similar to the controversy that surrounds cell phones and brain tumors.  It is interesting to note the dilemma faced by dentists today, when we know that amalgam is the better choice for the restoration, but the popular demand or path of least resistance is a composite restoration.  This disconnect creates some interesting food for thought.[1]

Novy Scheinfeld, DDS, PC

290 Carpenter Drive, 200A

Atlanta (Sandy Springs), GA 30328

404-256-3620

info@rightsmilecenter.com

www.rightsmilecenter.com

Related articles

·    Dentist Sandy Springs: How much do dental fillings cost? and Why? (therightsmile.wordpress.com)

·    Dentist Sandy Springs: Dental Emergency? Physician or Dentist? (therightsmile.wordpress.com)

·    Dentist Sandy Springs: A Beautiful Smile Is Precious And Priceless (therightsmile.wordpress.com)

·    Dentist Sandy Springs: Why you might be better off seeing a Prosthodontist (therightsmile.wordpress.com)

·    Dentist Sandy Springs: What [5] Questions Do Patients Ask About Dental Implants? (therightsmile.wordpress.com)

·    Dentist Sandy Springs - Myth #1: Root Canal Therapy Is Painful, Wrong! (therightsmile.wordpress.com)

Dentist in Sandy Springs named 'America's Top Dentist' in 2011 (therightsmile.wordpress.com)

---

[1] Additional sources of information came from Gordon J. Christensen, DDS, James F. Simon, DDS, and Howard E. Strassler, DMD. Compendium of Continuing Education in Dentistry, July/August, 2011.

Dentist Acworth: Success Rates of Dental Implants

Dental implants are among the most successful procedures in dentistry. However, there are no guarantees that an implant procedure will be successful.  Given the complexity of the procedure, there are many variables that can play into the success rate.  The studies show a five-year success rate of 95 percent for lower jaw implants and 90 percent for upper jaw implants.  The success rate for upper jaw implants is lower because the upper jaw is less dense than the lower jaw, making the success of implantation and osseointegration slightly more difficult to achieve.  The lower posterior implantation has the highest success rate for all dental implants because of the density of the bone, there’s more to work with.

Other factors that have an impact on success are pre-existing dental or general health conditions or the position of the replaced tooth.  Dental implants may fail for a number of reasons, but the most come reason is the failure of the implant device to properly osseo-integrate.  The actual failure of the implant may be the result of poor positioning or over torqueing in the bone.  Although infrequent, dental implants may break or become infected or crowns may become loose the same way your natural teeth become loose.

If you are a heavy smoker, your dentist may advise you to give up smoking before undergoing the procedure because smokers statistically face a higher risk of implant failure. Given how expensive implants can be, one risks wasting money on dental implants if you can’t give up the habit. Other high risk candidates are patients with diabetes, hemophilia or immune deficiencies and rare instances, patients with chronic bruxism.

As I have noted in other articles the value of implants is significant with respect to bone retention and actual functionality, and they are not susceptible to the formation of cavities.  So as long as one engages in good oral hygiene, i.e. with brushing, flossing, and regular hygiene procedures, the chances of peri-implantitis (characterized by inflammation or swelling of the tissues surrounding the implant) should be avoidable.  This disease is similar to periodontitis around one natural tooth, and thus requires a similar approach to good oral hygiene.

Key factors in minimizing dental implant complications are the selection of an experienced prosthodontist and oral surgeon who specialize in implant dentistry, careful pre-operative treatment planning and proper after-care and oral hygiene. If you would like to know whether you are a candidate for implants please feel free to call for a free consultation.

Novy Scheinfeld, DDS, PC

5471 Bells Ferry Road, Suite 200

Acworth, GA 30102

770-928-7281

info@rightsmilecenter.com

www.rightsmileacworth.com

Related articles

·    Dentist Sandy Springs: What [5] Questions Do Patients Ask About Dental Implants? (therightsmile.wordpress.com)

·    Sandy Springs Dental: The future of Implant Dentistry is here now. (therightsmile.wordpress.com)

·    Dunwoody Dental: 9 Important Facts about Dental Implants (therightsmile.wordpress.com)

·    Dentist Buckhead: Too much information - about dental implants!! (therightsmile.wordpress.com)

Dentist Acworth, GA: What [5] Questions Do Patients Ask About Dental Implants?

I read this article by Jim Du Molin and thought it might be interesting to readers and my patients.

We (I'm assuming Jim Du Molin) conducted a survey that asked dentists what questions dental patients ask when considering getting implants. It turns out that there’s a real difference between the questions dental implant patients do ask — and which questions they should be asking.

Dentists responded with the following . . .

The top 5 questions dental patients ask -                              

1.      How much do dental implants cost?

2.      How long do dental implants last?

3.      Are implants painful?

4.      How long will it take to get my new teeth?

5.      Does dental insurance cover implant surgery?

Versus . . .

The top 5 questions dentists want patients to ask -

1.      Am I a good candidate for implants?

2.      What are the potential complications of dental implant therapy?

3.      How much implant experience does the doctor have?

4.      What is the healing time for my implants?

5.      Can implants improve my appearance?

Many dental implant patients seem to have the same questions about dental implant therapy. Unfortunately, these questions aren’t necessarily the ones dentists think they should be asking.

The 2 main questions patients ask are -

1.      How much do dental implants cost?

2.      Will dental implant surgery be painful?

When dentists feel their very first question should be -

1.      Am I a good candidate for dental implants?

There is really a disconnect between the doctor and patient. This really is no surprise, since patients are thinking about how they are going to pay for the implants, and whether the procedure will be painful.

But doctors can’t afford not to address the primary concerns of the patient first: cost and pain.

One dentist wrote, “Long term, when the conditions are favorable, proper bone density, height and width, proper biomechanical considerations, proper occlusal load. A dental implant is more cost effective over a 3 unit bridge. However, when the above conditions are not meet — the 3 unit bridge (with sufficient ferule, impressions taken with custom made tray and properly impressioned, properly articulated, preprosthetic endodontic treatment performed by an endodontist, core-restoration — not in composite) will be more cost effective (for the patient).”

If you would like to learn more about implants and your candidacy please call or email your question.

Novy Scheinfeld, DDS, PC

5471 Bells Ferry Road, 200

Acworth, GA 30102

770-928-7281

info@rightsmilecenter.com

www.rightsmileacworth.com

Pasted from <http://www.thewealthydentist.com/blog/1509/survey-what-questions-do-patients-ask-about-dental-implants/>

Related articles

• 9 Important Facts about Dental Implants (therightsmile.wordpress.com)
• Mini Dental Implants (therightsmile.wordpress.com)
• So much information - about dental implants (therightsmile.wordpress.com)
• The future of Implant Dentistry is here now. (therightsmile.wordpress.com)