A dental implant is an artificial tooth root replacement that is used in prosthetic dentistry to permanently support a crown, bridge, or denture. Implants are a great way to permanently replace missing teeth as they look, feel, and function like natural teeth. Dental implants also help to reduce oral bone loss, which is a risk for individuals who have missing teeth. If you think you might be interested in dental implants please review the information below as well as the implant videos that our provided on our site. 

Surgical planning
Dr. Bedddoe uses SimPlant® implant treatment planning software which provides three-dimensional information on the anatomy of your mouth: 

• The width and density of your jawbone 
• The exact location of neighboring tooth roots
• The location of the nerves
  

With this precise information, Dr. Beddoe can start planning the ideal location for your implants, reach the best outcome and show you how your new teeth will look ,even before treatment!

A personalized SurgiGuide® dental drill guide is used as a link between implant planning and actual treatment. It makes sure the procedure is performed safely and according to the plan. A SurgiGuide® dental drill guide fits in your mouth with unparalleled precision during implant treatment and is your guarantee for maximum comfort.

Basic procedure
The placement of a dental implant requires a preparation into the bone using highly regulated precision tools that safely open a space in the jaw bone to place the implant. The tool will be guided by a SurgiGuide® dental drill guied that has been personalized to fit your mouth using measurements from SimPlant® and an impression of your jaw. After a space is made in the bone, the implant is inserted, the area is sutured, and a cover is inserted while the bone heals around the implant. When healing is complete, your general dentist will place the crown, bridge, or denture. A single implant will function much like a natural tooth, as shown in the diagram below:
Healing time
The amount of time required for the implant to heal before placing a restoration varies. In general, Dr. Beddoe allows 3 months after placement of the implant for healing but this may change depending the individual. It is important to allow enough time for the gums and bone to heal in order to insure that your implant is completely stable.

More Information on Implants:

Implant Videos
Info on AAP Website
Avoiding Dentures (pdf)
Choosing Implants (pdf)
Need Implants? (pdf)

If left untreated, gum disease (gingivitis) will get worse and plaque can spread and grow below the gum line. Toxins produced by the bacteria in plaque irritate the gums. The toxins stimulate a chronic inflammatory response and the tissues and bone that support the teeth are broken down and destroyed. Gums will also begin to separate from the teeth, forming pockets (spaces between the teeth and gums). These pockets, along with the ridges formed by the destruction of bone tissue, serve to trap even more bacteria beneath the gum line. As the disease progresses, the pockets deepen and more gum tissue and bone are destroyed. Often, this destructive process has very mild symptoms and may go initially unnoticed but eventually, teeth can become loose and may have to be removed.

Osseous surgery is the process by which the bone is exposed and the bacteria below the gums is removed surgically. The bone is than reshaped to its original contour so that bacteria will no longer become trapped deep below the gum line. A procedure usually consists of the following steps:

More Information on Gum Disease and Osseous Surgery:
Info on AAP Website
Types of Gum Disease
Warning Signs
Gum Disease in Children (pdf)
Inflamation and Periodontal Disease (pdf) 

Gum recession as a result of gum disease causes the tooth root to become exposed, which can make teeth look long and can prematurely age a person. In fact, the phrase “long in the tooth”, used to describe the elderly, is derived from this very reason. A periodontist can fix this problem with a procedure called root coverage. During this procedure, tissue from the mouth’s palate, or other synthetic materials, are used to facilitate coverage of the exposed root.

Gingival Graft
A gingival graft is a dental procedure where a layer of tissue is removed from the palate of the patient's mouth and then relocated to the site on the gums. Dr. Beddoe utilizes this procedure to increase the thickness of very thin gum tissue. This is not a root coverage procedure, but it increases the zone of pink tissue on the gums. Increasing this area helps to decrease the sensitivity of the gum tissue during brushing.

Root Coverage

Dr. Beddoe performs root coverage procedures using an Alloderm® allograft. An allograft uses donated, medically-processed subepithelial tissue as a source for the graft. The advantage of this procedure is that there is no need for a palatal donor site. Covering exposed roots root surfaces helps in preventing further damage to the roots and decreases sensitivity to sweetness, hot, andcold.

More Information on Root Coverage:
Info on AAP Website
Your Smile (pdf)