Charleston Smiles 2018

www.chsdentists.com | www.HealthLinksCharleston.com CS 5 | 37 “When you place an implant, it stimulates the bone and you’ll quit losing bone. And implants don’t decay,” he said. Both dentists pointed out that an implant is not nearly as pain- ful as it might seem. Using either sedation or a local anesthetic, the doctor prepares the site with a drill to make a space for the implant and then places the implant, a procedure that takes only an hour to an hour-and-a-half for one implant. The surgical site heals in about two weeks, but, underneath, the implant contin- ues to fuse to the bone, for around three months in the lower jaw and in approximately four months in the upper jaw, accord- ing to Dr. Gardner. Dr. Vinson said she usually gives the processs six months. During that time, especially if a front tooth is being replaced with an implant, the dentist might fit the patient with a remov- able partial denture that can be worn during the day and taken out at night – or a temporary tooth could be attached to the implant itself the day of the surgery. The patient then returns so the dentist can begin making the final crown for the implant, which includes a permanent crown and abutment that is screwed into the implant. Other options besides implants include a bridge that is con- nected to the teeth on one or both sides of the missing tooth or full or partial removable dentures. Dr. Gardner said the average life of a bridge is only around 10 years, while Dr. Vinson pointed out that recurrent decay sometimes develops around bridges because they are harder to keep clean. DENTAL IMPLANTS By the Numbers More than 35 MILLION Americans are missing teeth in one or both jaws. – American Academy of Implant Dentistry 69 PERCENT of adults between the ages of 35 and 44 have lost at least one tooth. – Dental Products Report The dental implant and prosthetic market in the United States is projected to reach $6.4 BILLION by 2018. – American Academy of Implant Dentistry By age 74, 26 PERCENT of adults will have lost all their permanent teeth. – Dental Economics The success rate of dental implants has been reported in scientific literature as 98 PERCENT. – American Academy of Implant Dentistry 3 MILLION Americans have implants, and the number is growing by 500,000 a year. – American Academy of Implant Dentistry