What are Implants?
Implants have been around for many years and have gained wider and wider acceptance over time as they have proved a successful method for replacing missing teeth. They offer a way to have artificial teeth that look natural and feel secure.

The implant itself, often made of titanium, is used like an artificial root to support the false tooth or teeth. The dental surgeon, usually a periodontist (gum specialist) or an oral surgeon, places the implant into a hole made in the jawbone. A post can then be secured to this “artificial root” and can be used to secure a prosthetic device, such as a crown or bridge, above the gum. Implants can also be used in conjunction with a removable denture to create a more secure and stable base for the denture.

Why Implants?
Implants have some advantages over removable dentures. Because removable dentures are not permanently fixed in place, they can move around when you eat and speak. Additionally, over time the bone that supports the denture changes and shrinks, making it increasingly difficult to support a denture comfortably.

Implants also have some advantages over fixed bridges, especially when the teeth adjacent to the missing tooth or teeth are healthy. In order to create a fixed bridge, your CDA member dentist must usually place crowns on these adjacent teeth – as they are the support for the replacement tooth or teeth. If these teeth are free from decay and existing restorations, you may prefer to leave them in their natural state, rather than alter them to hold the necessary supporting restorations. Implants replace the missing tooth or teeth while leaving all adjacent teeth unaltered.

Healthy Gums

▪ Gums will be coral pink in color. ▪ Gums will hug the teeth tightly. ▪ Gums will not bleed on probing. ▪ Gums pocket all measure to a normal 3mm or less. ▪ No damage to the supporting bone in this stage.    Bone height will be normal.

Gingivitis

▪ A mild inflammation of the gums caused by plaque build-up. ▪ Gums may be red and/or sore. Bleed upon probing. ▪ Gums will bleed while brushing or during probing. ▪ Inflamed, sensitive gums ▪ Possible bad breath/taste. ▪ Bleeding gums when measured, puffy in appearance and pockets    no greater than 3mm. ▪ No damage to the supporting bone in this stage.

Early Periodontitis

If left untreated, the gum infection damages the bone and supporting tissues. Your gum separates from the tooth and the bone level deteriorates. ▪ More pronounced gingival bleeding, swelling ▪ Gums may begin to pull away from teeth ▪ Bad breath/taste ▪ Pocket depth measure slightly more than normal at up to    5mm deep

Moderate Periodontitis

▪ Bleeding and swollen gums with pockets that will measure up    to 6mm and more. ▪ Teeth may look longer due to gum recession. ▪ Recession of bone beginning to appear-moderate bone loss. ▪ Gum boils or abscesses may develop. ▪ Bad breath, bad taste. ▪ Teeth may begin to drift and show spaces.

Advanced Periodontitis

Your gums recede farther and separate. Pus may develop, bone loss continues, and your teeth may loosen or fall out. ▪ Teeth may become mobile or loose. ▪ Constant bad breath and bad taste. ▪ Teeth becomes sensitive to hot and cold temperature changes     due to exposed roots. ▪ Pockets > 6mm deep. ▪ Some teeth may be extracted (pulled). ▪ Severe bone loss evidently visible.

Implants by Jacqueline Wong, D.M.D., M.M.Sc.

Periodontics is the branch of dentistry concerned with the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting the gums and supporting structures of the teeth. Without healthy gum tissue and supporting structures, other treatments of the oral cavity may not be possible (Imagine a pyramid without a good foundation). For this reason, I value patient education and early prevention of disease. Since my own father has been through extensive periodontal and implant therapy, I always listen to my patients and ensure that they are comfortable. From a technical standpoint, I truly have a passion for all aspects of the specialty, and the beauty of the field lies within the variety of treatment modalities to yield good results.

Implants by Robert H. Brandes, D.D.S.

Periodontics is the branch of dentistry concerned with the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting the gums and supporting structures of the teeth. Implant Dentistry is the area of oral health concerned with restoring natural form and function to areas where teeth have been lost. I am focused with not only restoring the mouth to a healthy condition, but also in developing a plan to minimize future treatment needs. I have been performing periodontal and dental implant surgeries for over twenty three years, providing patients with a combination of experience and state of the art treatment. Patient comfort is my highest priority and I have experience in providing many options to assist patients, including sedation. I am a life long Bay Area native and feel very fortunate to practice close to where I grew up. Excellent oral health is an important part in the quality of all of our lives.

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