periodontist dental implants Archives - Atlanta Dental Implants

Will I Need Bone Grafting for Dental Implants?

Posted on February 14, 2024 by AllSmiles.

I think I will need bone grafting for dental implants. I lost most of Although my family dentist says he can do the implants, I am not confident that he has enough experience. I am not comfortable. How will a dentist determine if I am a candidate for bone grafting? Thank you. Rochelle

Rochelle,

Thank you for your inquiry. Your decision to get dental implants will improve your oral health. You are wise to be cautious when choosing an implant dentist.

Will You Need Bone Grafting for Dental Implants?

You will need bone grafting for dental implants if your teeth have been missing for years and you do not have enough bone volume to support implants. Your dentist must take a CT scan to measure your bone volume.

What Is Dental Implant Bone Grafting?

Dental implant bone grafting is a procedure that builds up jawbone volume. When your teeth are missing, your body takes minerals from your jawbone in those areas and uses them elsewhere. As your jawbone shrinks, it will become challenging to support dental implants.

Whether you need implants to replace individual teeth or to support a denture, bone grafting may be required to give implants enough support. The bone grafts need to heal before your dentist places implants.

Bone sources for dental implant grafting

Bone grafting for dental implants can come from your bone—perhaps your hip or below your knee. Other bone sources included a tissue bank or artificial bone.

Are You a Candidate for Dental Implant Bone Grafting?

A dental implant with components labeled - crown, abutment, implant screw

Schedule a consultation with a periodontist for bone grafting

An implant dentist must take x-rays and a CT scan to reveal your oral anatomy, bone volume, and bone health. But you are probably a candidate for implant bone grafting if the following is true:

Good oral health
Good overall health, including free of gum disease
A non-smoker

Consult a Periodontist

Schedule a consultation with two periodontists—specialists with years of post-graduate training in gum disease and dental implants. You can prepare questions and take notes to compare the specialists’ qualifications and whether you liked their interaction with you.

Best wishes.

Dr. David Pumphrey, an Atlanta periodontist, sponsors this post.

I’m an Adult with Permanent Teeth and Baby Teeth

Posted on December 26, 2022 by AllSmiles.

My adult teeth grew behind baby teeth that never fell out. I’m 25 with an extra set of upper and lower teeth. I am so self-conscious. My mom could never afford to get my teeth fixed. Now I can do something about it myself. What can I expect? Will I need braces, teeth pulled out, or both? Thank you. Justyce from SC

Justyce,

Thank you for contacting Dr. Pumphrey’s office. He would need to examine your teeth and take x-rays to determine the condition and position of your primary and permanent teeth.

What Is the Treatment When Permanent Teeth Grow Behind Primary Teeth?

The treatment depends on the situation when permanent teeth grow behind primary teeth. A few scenarios are below:

A dental implant with the crown, abutment, and implant screw labeled

Resolving permanent teeth that grew behind primary teeth may require some extractions and dental implants

All your permanent teeth are present – A dentist or periodontist may remove all your primary teeth.
Your teeth are crowded – Some permanent teeth may require extraction to prevent crowding in your mouth. You may need braces, too.
Some permanent teeth are in the wrong position – Primary teeth guide permanent teeth into place, but if your primary teeth never fell out, crowded teeth may need braces for alignment.
Some permanent teeth are missing – After removing the primary teeth, a periodontist (gum and teeth specialist) can replace missing permanent teeth with dental implants. A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that a specialist places in your jawbone. After your jawbone and the dental implant fuse, a dentist will attach a crown to the implant. The implants will look like natural teeth emerging through your gums.

How to Prevent Crowding When Primary Teeth Do Not Fall Out

When primary teeth do not fall out, the best practice is to remove them. Otherwise, permanent teeth will erupt in an incorrect position. A proactive approach can minimize crowding and the need for braces later in life.

We recommend scheduling an evaluation with a dentist to determine which specialists can help you restore your smile.

Dr. David Pumphrey, an Atlanta periodontist, sponsors this post. A periodontist is a specialist with two years of post-graduate training in gum and jawbone health. Dr. Pumphrey offers high-quality, affordable implant dentures.

Bumps in My Mouth After Getting Dental Implants

Posted on December 20, 2022 by AllSmiles.

I got three dental implants in late October, and since that time, I’ve had bumps on the same side of my mouth as the implants. My dentist says the bumps, itching, and tingling are not unusual, but something is wrong. This dentist’s fees were $800 less than three other dentists I checked with, so I may have gotten a bad deal. Could I be having an allergic reaction to the implants? Thanks. Chad from Long Beach, CA

Chad,

Thank you for your question. Your concerns about your dental implants are understandable. We encourage our readers to thoroughly research dental implant providers’ credentials before selecting a dentist or specialist based on their low fees. Although Dr. Pumphrey would need to examine your implants and gums and take a 3-D x-ray to determine their condition, we will provide general information.

Can You Have an Allergic Reaction to Dental Implants?

You can have an allergic reaction to dental implants, although titanium dental implants are biocompatible and reactions are rare. Estimates are that 0.6 percent of people have titanium allergies. Research shows that dental implants have a long-term survival rate of 94 to 99 percent. Still, some titanium dental implants contain trace metals or other impurities that can provoke a reaction.

What Are the Symptoms of a Reaction to Dental implants?

Symptoms of a reaction to dental implants include:

Bad odor around the implants
Hives
Irritation in your oral tissue
Loose implants
Persistent pain
Rash
Swelling in your gums around the implants
Tingling

How Do You Know If You Are Allergic to Titanium?

You can determine whether you are allergic to titanium by getting allergy testing. Memory Lymphocyte Immunostimulation Assay (MELISA) tests small blood samples for hypersensitivity to metals and environmental toxins.

What If You Are Allergic to Your Dental Implants?

If you are allergic to your dental implants, your dentist must do the following:

Remove the implants
Consider whether you are eligible for an alternative, such as zirconia implants
Determine how much healing time you need before getting new implants
Determine whether you need bone grafting to support new implants
Explain other tooth replacement options if you cannot get new implants

We recommend getting a second opinion from a dentist with a periodontist to discuss your oral health status and options.

Do All-on-4 Implants Rock or Loosen?

Posted on November 26, 2022 by AllSmiles.

I am considering All-on-4 implants instead of an upper removable denture. I understand All-on-4 can take the force of chewing, but I am concerned about whether the implants will loosen with time. I don’t want to invest tons of money in a denture product that I will need to replace every few years. How long does All-on-4 remain stable? Thank you. Sterling from Annapolis, MD

Sterling,

Thank you for your question. Your concerns are valid, and we encourage you to keep gathering information to help you confidently decide if you want implant overdentures. Implant dentures are an efficient way to improve denture function and help your prosthesis (replacement teeth) last longer.

Will All-on-4 Implants Rock or Loosen?

All-on-4 dental implants

Quality, accurately placed All-on-4 dental implants will not rock or loosen. We encourage you to select a credentialed doctor with advanced implant training to get predictable results. A periodontist (teeth, gums, and implant specialist) will use a 3-D cone beam CT scan to identify the optimal location for each implant. The specialist will place your implants in adequate bone and at precise angles to stabilize your denture. Careful placement and high-quality implants prevent the implants from rocking or loosening.

What Are All-On-4 Dental Implants?

All-on-4 dental implants are fixed implant dentures. Implant screws fuse with your jawbone, and your dentist will screw your custom denture onto the implants. Unlike a removable denture, All-on-4 dental implants absorb the forces of biting and chewing. They improve denture function and your quality of life with dentures. You can socialize comfortably and enjoy eating your favorite foods again.

How Long Do All-on-4 Dental Implants Last?

The dental implant screws that support your denture can last 20 years or more—even a lifetime. As your denture wears out, you will need to replace it. The quality of your denture and how well your dentist attaches it to your implants can affect how long the denture lasts.

Schedule a consultation with a periodontist to get thorough answers about All-on-4 dental implants.

Are All-On-4 Implants Removable?

Posted on April 21, 2022 by AllSmiles.

I had consultations with two dentists who recommend All-on-4 implants. Recently, I saw a third dentist who recommended six to eight implants because I would get better coverage for bone stimulation, and my denture would be locked in place. But more implants might mean that I need a bone graft and have more healing time. If I choose All-on-4 but change my mind, can I get the implants removed and switched to six or eight? – Thank you. Nathan from Augusta

Nathan,

Thank you for your question. You deserve detailed answers that Dr. Pumphrey could provide only after an examination and reviewing the 3-D CT scan of your oral anatomy. We recommend that you ask each implant dentist for more details about their proposed treatment. However, we will answer your question in general.

Are All-on-4 Implants Removable?

All-on-4 implants are a fixed overdenture attached to four dental implants. Only a periodontist or specialist can remove the denture. And only a periodontist or specialist can remove the implants. A periodontist or specialist can review your 3-D CT scan and explain options for increasing the number of implants to support your denture. But you do not want a doctor to remove healthy implants. And you will not need to remove All-on-4 implants to increase to six or eight implants.

Increasing from All-on-4 to All-on-6 or 8

If you want to increase from All-on-4 to six or eight implants, a specialist will review your 3-D CT scan to determine whether you have enough bone volume to support implants. If you do not, the periodontist will recommend bone grafting. A bone graft can take three to six months to heal before it is ready to support implants.

Before choosing how many implants you want to support a denture, consult with a periodontist, and ask questions about what it would take to place six to eight implants now versus later. Also, ask about implant stability with four versus six to eight implants.

The following factors may affect your decision:

You may need bone grafting before you can get more implants.
You will have three to six months of healing after bone grafting and three to four months of recovery after implant surgery.
After surgery to get more implants, you must resume a soft-food diet again.
If you decide to get six to eight implants, delaying the process will cost more time and money.

Please write down your questions and concerns before a consultation with a periodontist and take the time to weigh them carefully.

Dr. David Pumphrey, an Atlanta periodontist, sponsors this post.