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*Implants:* Dental implants have been around for hundreds of years. The technique we are using today enjoys an amazingly high success rate. A dental implant is nothing more than a replacement for a missing root. The implant root form is placed where there is a missing tooth. The bone heals to the implant and stabilizes it. The healing time will vary. Now, in some instances, it is even possible to place an implant and put a tooth on it immediately. Many people have been suffering with missing teeth and dentures for a long time. Implants can make for a better lifestyle. New materials and grafting procedures allow for the replacement of missing teeth, where it was never before thought possible. There are a multitude of different design possibilities to help you regain your function, support, and cosmetics. At our office we help coordinate the treatment plan and work with many different surgeons, all over the world, who are experts at the placement of implants. Then, once the implant has healed, we make the teeth. Today, we have such a variety of different parts available that allow for the most natural, functional and cosmetically pleasing results. Why don't we place the implant? It's difficult to be an expert at more than one area of specialty. We prefer the team approach. Steven H. Feit, D.M.D., P.A. 240 West Palmetto Park Road Suite 220 Boca Raton, FL 33432 Phone: (561) 338-7535 Fax: (561) 368-2981 feit@stevenfeit.com Copyright © 2000 by Steven H. Feit, D.M.D. All Rights Reserved
	IMPLANT SUPPORTED TEETH: "Permanent Implant supported Teeth" The "Permanent" teeth: A custom set of teeth are made to fit each implant in a most precise manner. Of course you can't get decay on the implants, but you can get the same gum problems as with natural teeth. You must keep up with your cleaning appointments and you must keep everything clean at home. Please understand, food may get caught around the teeth, under the teeth, and around the implants. This is why we have a toothbrush, Waterpik etc... It gives you the ability to gain access to the implants to properly clean. UPPER: the roof of your mouth doesn't get covered like with a denture. The procedures are not difficult to go through. Usually, it requires only 4-8 appointments. Treatment time is generally 7-12 weeks. The teeth are "permanent" to you, yet I can remove it by removing the screws etc.... The implants are placed by the surgeon. The procedure is a routine office procedure. After the appropriate amount of healing time passes (this amount of time varies from person to person) the implants are then ready for use. You will need to wear a "temporary" while the implants heal. The healing time is needed to allow the bone to grow and attach to the implant. It is similar to a broken bone needing time to heal. The healing time is a factor of your bone quality and quantity, your immune system, and if you are following the post-operative instructions. Now I can begin the steps necessary to make your "teeth". It is routine to have a "break-in" period just after having the new teeth placed in your mouth. This is routine.The following may happen cheek biting, soreness of the gums, the bite may require adjustment, teeth can chip, the screws holding the bar to the implant can loosen. You will need to have some of the screws replaced from time to time. Another design available for you: IMPLANT SUPPORTED TEETH: CLIP-BAR OVER-DENTURE The clip-bar Over-denture: This design offers many advantages. A custom bar is made to fit each implant in a most precise manner, just to fit your implants in your mouth. The teeth are made to attach to the bar. You can't see or touch the bar when the teeth are in place. The teeth sleeve over the bar and will hold onto the bar for support. We will also use some to your gums to support and stabilize the teeth, this will take some of the pressure off the implants. You will want and need to remove the teeth from the bar to clean the implants. You must keep up with your cleaning appointments and you must keep everything clean at home. By making the teeth removable you will have the necessary access to clean. If it's for the upper, the roof of your mouth doesn't get covered much. The procedures are not difficult to go through. It requires only 4-8 appointments. Treatment time is generally 7-12 weeks. Once the case is made, both the bar and the teeth are placed in your mouth at the same visit Now we are finished with the fabrication stage. "Problems" may begin to appear; cheek biting, soreness of the gums, the bite may require adjustment, teeth can chip, the screws holding the bar to the implant can loosen. Don't worry, this is no surprise. These problems don't happen very often. The third phase is the after-treatment maintenance phase. This is the most important phase. You will need to have some of the clips and other attachments replaced from time to time. Look at it like an oil change for your car. It is considered routine maintenance. (There is a fee for the new "parts".) It varies. On average, the clips and attachments need to be changed once a year. Some people every six months, while others every two-five years.