Dental Implants

Implant Dentistry is a perfect blend of art, science, and surgery that provides a challenging reward of my skills and abilities, yet a pleasure to provide for many patients.

Ted Reese, DDS, Fellow of Am. Academy of Implant Dentistry since 1994

Dr. Reese has been providing the surgical and restorative phases of Implant Dentistry for over 24 yrs. He is an accredited FELLOW AMERICAN OF IMPLANT DENTISTRY, which required extensive training and testing of his expertise in a field that is continuing providing new and improved techniques to the benefit of patients seeking alternatives to permanent tooth replacement. Dr. Reese is also a Fellow and former President, Midwest Implant Institute, where he has also lectured and taught surgical placement techniques.

Dental Implants are made of the same biocompatible metal (Titanium) that hip and knee implants are fabricated. They can be used for replacement of a single missing tooth, or multiple implants may be placed to avoid a removable partial or full denture.

Implants not only replace missing teeth, but they:

…replace the comfort that was once lost from chewing with previously secure teeth
…offer security and confidence to speak and chew in social settings
…when placed, positioned, and restored by a trained and experienced clinician can restore the natural smile once thought to be lost.

Dental implants are used as:

…a replacement ‘root’ for a missing single tooth.
…a series of anchors to secure a fixed bridge, or segment of teeth without the need for unsightly and bothersome metal ‘clasps’.
…a means to hold a loose and uncomfortable denture in place
…a means to replace a removable denture with an entire arch of teeth that don’t come out!
…the means to remove the acrylic that covers the roof of the mouth in a conventional upper denture.

Dental Implants allow the replacement of a single tooth or multiple teeth without relying on any adjacent teeth for strength or support. Implants are generally considered, the first alternative to bridges, partials, or dentures. Of the many benefits dental implants afford, the ability to replace teeth without affecting or altering the adjacent teeth is the most obvious benefit.

What are the benefits of Implants?

…Conservation of natural teeth.

Traditional dentistry has replaced a missing tooth via a ‘fixed bridge’. This involves preparing the adjacent teeth for crowns to cement or bond the bridge into place. If the adjacent teeth are broken down, and weak from large ‘fillings’ this is a reasonable option, but not when the adjacent teeth are fine. Implants allow replacement of just the missing tooth and no alteration of the adjacent teeth.

…Lower maintenance

This does not imply implants are ‘bionic’. Everything in life requires maintenance and implants are no different. Since Implants are metal, they have can not decay, they have no nerve to abscess, or become painful, and don’t interfere with adjacent teeth that could cause food entrapment. Implants do require ongoing gingival care such as periodic cleaning from the hygienist, and daily home care to avoid infection occurring around the gums.

…Security and Confidence

Especially for those who have struggled trying to live and eat with loose dentures and partials, this is the biggest benefit by far. No more irritating denture sore spots, no embarrassing slips while trying to eat or laugh, and no having to avoid difficult to chew foods in public. or struggling with speech problems associated with loose teeth.

…Restoration of a normal diet!

With the loss of natural teeth, the ability to chew effectively is diminished by as much as 80%. This is can essentially make many denture wearers a ‘dental cripple’ that not only reduces the enjoyment of eating and chewing, but also compromises the nutritional aspect of eating a proper diet.

…Conservation of gums and cheek support.

Loss of teeth is eventually accompanied by loss of gum structure and the ridges which once held the teeth in place. This eventually makes dentures less stable for chewing, more uncomfortable to keep in place, and less able to support the cheeks and lips for a normal appearance

Every need is different just as everyone’s solution may vary.

Dr. Reese and his staff will be happy to discuss different options all using dental implants. If you’ve had an opinion or recommendation that was too expensive or involved for your comfort, we may be able to offer some alternatives, that less experienced or less trained practitioners can offer. Having the years of experience and training, the options of dental implants, conventional bridge therapy, and cosmetic procedures may require a combined therapy to achieve your particular needs and desires. Dr. Reese is uniquely qualified to not only place the implants, but more importantly, review your needs to plan your treatment to fit into your budget and expectations!

Experience the difference!

Options within Dental Implant therapy:

• Same day removal of nonrestorable teeth, with surgical placement of the implant and ‘temporization’ of an acrylic tooth to eliminate gaps in your smile.
• Same day mini implant placement and denture retention to secure your existing dentures.
• In-office, intravenous sedation in our own surgery suites to avoid hospital costs, yet allow you to safely sleep through the surgical procedures.
• Bone grafting to replace the missing jaw bone required for implant placement after years of tooth loss.
• Gum grafting to replace the shrunken gum tissue negatively affecting smile results in front tooth replacement.
• Sinus bone grafting to provide the required jaw bone for implant placement in the upper jaw.
• Some implants can be placed without the need for incisions or sutures, which reduces any post surgical swelling or tenderness!

If you’ve been told you’re not a candidate for implants, contact our office for a second opinion. We’ve been able to help many patients, that were previously told they couldn’t be helped. We’d also be happy to offer you a complimentary second opinion and treatment plan to assist you in your decision making.

Below are some examples of mini-dental implants:

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. How do they work?

The implant can sometimes be placed at the time of tooth removal or more typically after the gum has healed after a tooth has been removed. There may need to be a gentle ‘peel back’ of the overlying gum tissue to allow a socket prepared in the jaw bone where the original tooth root was. After a healing period, the implant becomes rigidly fixed into place and supports a synthetic ‘crown’ or tooth to be permanently cemented on top for chewing and smiling.

2. Is it painful?

Most of our implant patients are surprised at the uneventful healing period after having an implant placed. “It was easier than having the tooth taken out!” is a common description. If several implants are needed to be placed, or you are anxious and intimidated about dental treatment we can discuss one of several anesthesia/sedation options for your appointment.

3. Can anyone receive dental implants?

Patients who have previously been told they are not a good candidate for dental implants need to have a second opinion. In many cases, we are able to place implants after grafting jaw bone back in place to provide the appropriate ‘bed’ for an implant to replace the tooth or teeth. Most dental implant patients are over 50 and 60 yrs. of age, but Dr. Reese has placed implants in patients as young as 17 and as youthful as 89! As with any surgery procedure, you must be in good or reasonable health, and the infection involved with gum disease must be controlled prior to implant placement.

4. What is the success rate for dental implants?

One of the earliest studies of dental implants found over 80% still in the mouth and functioning after 12 yrs. This study done in the 70’s and 80’s has seen improvement in techniques that have resulted in success rates of over 90% depending upon the conditions and maintenance of the teeth and mouth.

Various conditions affect the long term retention of implants. Your mouth, gums, and remaining teeth need to be examined and a treatment plan developed just for you to ensure a favorable outcome.

Dr. Reese has the advantage of placing and restoring the implant(s) all in his office. He has over 24 years of experience in implant therapy, and understands that the function, position, and restoration are all critical factors. Your expectations need to be understood so an appropriate treatment plan and design will meet your expectations. This is not always appreciated when one doctor places the implant and another doctor restores the teeth prior to discussing the outcome.

5. How long does the process take?

The actual implant placement typically takes less than one half hour. More time is needed if a ‘provisional’ crown must be custom made to replace the missing tooth, or more implants, grafting is needed, etc.

6. What is the cost of implants?

Since dental implants are more involved than traditional bridgework, they are typically more expensive, but often more affordable over the long run. Actual costs vary with the needs and conditions. Dr. Reese will examine and determine the appropriate treatment and cost with a complimentary xray to determine actual cost for your specific needs.