Are You A Candidate For Dental Implants?

Did you know that dental implants are frequently the best treatment option for replacing missing teeth? Rather than resting on the gum line like removable dentures, or using adjacent teeth as anchors like fixed bridges, dental implants are long-term replacements that your Mortenson Family dentist, with the help of your oral and maxillofacial surgeon surgically places in the jawbone.

A Solution of Choice for Replacing Missing Teeth

Statistics show that 69% of adults ages 35 to 44 have lost at least one permanent tooth to an accident, gum disease, a failed root canal or tooth decay. Furthermore, by age 74, 26% of adults have lost all of their permanent teeth.

Twenty years ago, these patients would have had no alternative but to employ a fixed bridge or removable denture to restore their ability to eat, speak clearly and smile. Fixed bridges and removable dentures, however, are not the perfect solution and often bring with them a number of other problems. Removable dentures may slip or cause embarrassing clicking sounds while eating or speaking. Of even greater concern, fixed bridges often affect adjacent healthy teeth, and removable dentures may lead to bone loss in the area where the tooth or teeth are missing. Recurrent decay, periodontal (gum) disease and other factors often doom fixed bridgework to early failure. For these reasons, fixed bridges and removable dentures usually need to be replaced every seven to 15 years.

Today there is another option for patients who are missing permanent teeth. Rather than resting on the gum line like removable dentures, or using adjacent teeth as anchors like fixed bridges, dental implants are long-term replacements that your oral and maxillofacial surgeon surgically places in the jawbone. Composed of titanium metal that "fuses" with the jawbone through a process called "osseointegration," dental implants never slip or make embarrassing noises that advertise the fact that you have "false teeth," and never decay like teeth anchoring fixed bridges. Because dental implants fuse with the jawbone, bone loss is generally not a problem.

After more than 20 years of service, the vast majority of dental implants first placed by oral and maxillofacial surgeons in the United States continue to still function at peak performance. More importantly, the recipients of those early dental implants are still satisfied they made the right choice. If properly cared for, dental implants can last a lifetime.

Anatomy of a Dental Implant

A dental implant designed to replace a single tooth is composed of three parts: the titanium implant that fuses with the jawbone; the abutment, which fits over the portion of the implant that protrudes from the gum line; and the crown, which is created by a prosthodontist or restorative dentist and fitted onto the abutment for a natural appearance.

Many people who are missing a single tooth opt for a fixed bridge; but a bridge may require the cutting down of healthy, adjacent teeth that may or may not need to be restored in the future. Then there is the additional cost of possibly having to replace the bridge once, twice or more over the course of a lifetime. Similarly, a removable partial denture may contribute to the loss of adjacent teeth. Studies show that within five to seven years there is a failure rate of up to 30% in teeth located next to a fixed bridge or removable partial denture.

If you are missing several teeth in the same area of your mouth, you may still enjoy the confidence and lifestyle benefits that come with dental implants. Your oral and maxillofacial surgeon will place two or more dental implants, depending on the number of teeth that are missing. Your replacement teeth will be attached to the implants to allow excellent function and prevent bone loss. The implants will serve as a stable support that tightly locks into your replacement teeth and dentures to prevent slipping and bone loss.

With an overall success rate of about 95% and almost 50 years of clinical research to back them up, dental implants are frequently the best treatment option for replacing missing teeth.

Dental Implants vs. Conventional Dentures


Implants can be used to replace one missing tooth so that the replacement looks and feels natural. Also, two or more implants can serve as a stable support for the replacement of many teeth.

Many patients who have selected dental implants describe a quality of life that is much more comfortable and secure than the lifestyle endured by those with fixed bridges or removable dentures. Dentures often make a person feel and look older than they are, cause embarrassment in social situations when they slip and click, and restrict the everyday pleasure of eating comfortably.

When they count the benefits they enjoy as a result of their dental implants, patients say their implants eliminate the day-to-day frustrations and discomfort of ill-fitting dentures. They allow people to enjoy a healthy and varied diet without the restrictions many denture wearers face. With a sense of renewed self-confidence, many people rediscover the excitement of an active lifestyle shared with family and friends and the chance to speak clearly and comfortably with co-workers. For all these reasons, people with dental implants often say they feel better... they look better... they live better.

Dental Implants are a Team Effort

Dental implants combine the best of modern science and technology, including a team approach spanning several disciplines.

A successful implant requires that all parties involved — the patient; your Mortenson Family dentist, who makes the crown for the implant; and the oral and maxillofacial surgeon, who surgically places the implant, follow a careful plan of treatment. All members of the implant team stay in close contact with each other to make sure everyone clearly understands what needs to be done to meet the patient's expectations.

The team is organized as soon as the decision for placing a dental implant is reached. Following an evaluation that includes a comprehensive examination, x-rays and a consultation with the patient and members of the implant team, the oral and maxillofacial surgeon surgically places the posts, or implants, in the patient's jaw.

When the implants have stabilized in the jaw, the restorative dentist prepares an impression of the upper and lower jaws. This impression is used to make the model from which the dentures or crowns are created.

The teamwork continues long after the implant and crown have been placed. Follow-up examinations with the oral and maxillofacial surgeon and your Mortenson Family dentist are critical, and progress is carefully charted. Both the oral and maxillofacial surgeon and your Mortenson Family dentist continue to work together to provide the highest level of aftercare.

Are You a Candidate for Dental Implants?
Whether you are a young, middle-aged or older adult; whether you need to replace one tooth, several teeth, or all your teeth, there is a dental implant solution for you. With the exception of growing children, dental implants are the solution of choice for people of all ages, even those with the following health concerns:

Existing Medical Conditions: If you can have routine dental treatment, you can generally have an implant placed. While precautions are advisable for certain conditions, patients with such chronic diseases as high blood pressure and diabetes are usually successful candidates for dental implant treatment.

Gum Disease or Problem Teeth: Almost all implants placed in patients who have lost their teeth to periodontal disease or decay have been successful.

Currently Wearing Partials or Dentures: Implants can replace removable bridges or dentures, or they can be used to stabilize and secure the denture, making it much more comfortable.

Smokers: Although smoking lowers the success rate of implants, it doesn't eliminate the possibility of getting them.

Bone Loss: Bone loss is not uncommon for people who have lost teeth or had periodontal disease. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are trained and experienced in grafting bone to safely and permanently secure the implant.

Implant tooth replacement in children is usually deferred until their jaw growth is complete. There are, however, some instances when a dental implant may be appropriate, such as when it is part of the child's orthodontic treatment plan. Your Mortenson Family dentist or BracesBracesBraces orthodontist can guide you in this instance.

If you are interested in dental implants, please give us a call at 502-244-9595 for a free consultation at a Mortenson Family Dental office near you. Everyone deserves a beautiful, healthy smile!

Cosmetic Veneers - What They Are & How They Create A Perfect Smile

Dental veneers are custom-designed shells of tooth-like ceramic material that, when applied over the surface of a tooth, can cover worn tooth enamel, uneven tooth alignment or spacing, and chips or cracks.

Dental veneers fall into the category of cosmetic dentistry because they create a bright, white smile with beautifully aligned, shapely teeth. Even better, the translucent ceramic quality of today's veneers provides a more natural look than what's been available in the past.

Regardless of what causes unattractive teeth, dental veneers may solve most or even all of your cosmetic dental issues, including:

Worn enamel: Over time, the thin, hard white substance covering your teeth (enamel) may become worn, dulled, and discolored. Such wear and discoloration may be natural or the result of a genetic predisposition; however, it is often a result of your habits (soft drink, tea, or coffee consumption, smoking, medication use, etc.).

Wear and tear: Teeth naturally wear down as people age. Aged teeth are more likely to have chips, cracks or a generally uneven appearance.
Genetics: Certain people may be born with abnormal spacing between the teeth that grows wider as they age.

Uneven teeth: Uneven teeth can result from tooth grinding or general wear and tear.

If you are interested in how veneers may be able to improve your smile, keep following us this week on Facebook and give us a call at 502-244-9595 or visit us on the web at www.mortensonfamilydental.com to schedule a free consultation at a Mortenson Family Dental near you!

Funtastic Friday Trivia!

Our Funtastic Friday Trivia Question is (drum-roll, please).................

"What % of systemic diseases have oral manifestations?" ALSO - In your own words, give an example of a systemic disease.

Everybody that posts an answer to the question by today at 6:30 p.m. will be entered in a drawing for a gift certificate to PURE Salon and Spa! Use it for yourself, or give it to someone that you love. I'll announce the winner at 7:00 p.m.

As always, if you need dental care we are here for you. Give us a call at 502-244-9595, visit our "locations" page on our website at www.mortensonfamilydental.com and we're always here for you on Facebook!

We're Giving Back To Our Patients, Fans, Tweeps & Friends

Every month, Mortenson Family Dental is giving back to it's patients, friends, Fans, Tweeps, and Blog followers by giving away a FANtastic prize or two. This month, we're giving away an AWESOME 32" flat screen television. You can keep it for yourself, or give it as a gift for the upcoming holiday season!

Okay, so you want it of course, we all do! So how do you get it? A Facebook Fan, Tweep or Blog follower will win it for free, just by going to our Facebook Fan Page, our Twitter page or our Blog page, telling us what makes you smile and attaching a picture of your pearly whites. So get started today! Your post should look like this:

"I'm smiling because (tell us why)___________". A picture of your beautiful smile should be attached to the post. You can even get creative and post a short (1 minute) video if you like. Not sure how attach pictures or video to a post? No worries! Email me at bgreen@mfdc.net and I'll help you!

Each person that submits an entry will be placed in the drawing to win the TV. The drawing will take place September 30th at 6:00 p.m EST. Official contest rules can be found on our Facebook Fan Page on the "Notes" tab. If you need assistance finding them, please email me at bgreen@mfdc.net.

We can't wait to hear and see what makes you smile so brilliantly!

Betheny Green
Social Media & Reputation Equity Manager
Mortenson Family Dental
bgreen@mfdc.net