New Treatment for Denture-Wearers: Mini Dental Implants

mini-implants

Hi everyone,

An estimated 37 million Americans are edentulous–without teeth in one or both arches. Despite this high number, however, many denture wearers can feel isolated and alone, suffering from self-consciousness and insecurity when socializing or eating due to fear of their dentures slipping out of place.

But now, we are offering denture patients in the metropolitan Detroit area a new treatment that can immediately increase denture stability in just 2-3 hours. Recently, I have become certified by 3M^TM in the placement of Mini dental implants (MDIs) which provide an affordable and minimally invasive way for denture-wearers to anchor their dentures in their mouths so they can regain confidence and feel comfortable eating, talking and smiling. [Read more…]

Bridge or Implant??

By Dr Langberg

Hey Everyone!

It has been a while since I last posted a blog so here it goes:

Recently I have had quite a few patients wrestle with having to choose between a fixed (non-removable) bridge or an implant to replace a missing tooth or teeth. Both choices can look and feel great and are not removable by the patient. They but both require consistent maintenance (brushing, flossing, water pik) at home and regular cleaning at our office. Both are great solutions to the problem of missing teeth and your choice will be dependant upon many factors. Typically I will review all the factors and help you make the most appropriate choice for you as an individual.

Factor 1: Amount of bone available to support an implant: One of the huge advantages of implants is that after an extraction an implant will slow the disappearance of the bone in the extraction site since the implant stimulates the body to maintain the bone levels locally. However if your teeth have been missing for a while so there is little bone left or the quantity or quality of bone is lacking then we must do a bone graft (surgery to add bone) before placing the implant. In addition, if the implant will be too close to your sinus or nerve canal then grafts need to be considered or a fixed bridge which doesn’t have the same bone requirements is indicated. Healthy patients with jaw bone which is wide and deep are great candidates for dental implants.

Factor 2: Quality of the neighboring teeth: A fixed bridge requires that the neighboring teeth support the replacement teeth. If the teeth on either side of the space are not strong enough to support a bridge (due to loss of bone from gum disease) then implants make more sense. However, if the neighboring teeth are sound enough but they have big fillings or existing crowns, then a bridge is a logical choice since the tooth (or teeth) can be replaced and the neighboring teeth re-restored in one step

Factor 3: Location of the missing teeth: Is the implant replacing a front or a back tooth? In the front of the mouth, sometimes gums are thin and the metal implant may show through the gums. If the papilla (the tiny triangular piece of gum that is in between the teeth) is missing then implants may leave a “dark triangle” between the teeth. Back teeth are much more forgiving esthetically when considering implants.

Factor 4: Cost: Typically you will spend more for implants than for a bridge. Replacing one tooth with a bridge can run $2700 to $3500 whereas implant replacement of a single tooth (includes the implant, abutment and crown) is closer to $4000. This difference in cost becomes more exaggerated the more teeth that are replaced (i.e., replacing 2 teeth with a bridge runs $3600 to $4800 whereas 2 implants (implants, abutments and crowns can approach $8000). Patients on a budget may need to choose a bridge.

Factor 5: Time considerations: Implants generally take 3-4 months after placement before teeth can be attached to them. If bone grafts are needed, this can add an additional 3-6 months. For certain patients and special situations, implants can be loaded immediately, but this doesn’t work most of the time. Bridges can be done immediately after extraction (typically we place a “provisional bridge” the day of the extraction to replace the tooth, then wait 3 months for healing before making the “final” bridge). If you are in a hurry, bridges are a better choice.

Factor 6: Personal preferences: Many patients have a strong aversion to surgery (even though is extremely straightforward and quick) and so are uncomfortable with implants. Other patients have a strong aversion to prepping adjacent teeth for crowns (especially teeth that have no previous restorations or fillings) and so are uncomfortable with bridges. Neither is “right” or “wrong”, it simply depends on individual choice and preference.

Summary: Many factors will weigh in when choosing between a bridge or an implant. These factors will usually determine the logical choice that is the superior option for that particular patient and the particular circumstances. There are no rules, but I encourage you to discuss your dental situation with me. I am experienced in both treatments and am always available to help you make the best possible choices for your best dental health.

That’s all for now, wishing you a joyous and healthy holiday season!

Mark W Langberg, DDS, MAGD

Placing Dental Implants

By Dr Langberg

Hi everyone!

This last Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, Laurie (my assistant) and I took an amazing and exciting class in the surgical placement of dental implants to replace missing teeth. The course was given by the Ladera Ranch Implant Institute ( www.laderaimplants.com ) and provided an opportunity for us to learn dental implant surgical placement techniques, first hand, under the direction of several top implant dentist mentors. It was a live “hands on” course that allowed us to spend two pre-surgery days learning strategies about safe and predictable implant placement, followed by an actual patient surgical procedure on day three. This was a mentoring approach to learning, and provided one mentor to every three attendees. The highly trained and skilled instructors assisted us one on one all the way through our pre-surgical work-up and step by step live surgery, and culminated in my safely and successfully placing an implant in a middle aged Ford engineer. The setting was a local “state-of-the-art” dental office,and the quality of the learning experience was awesome!

In the past, we have referred patients to implant surgical specialists to actually place the implants and have focused our efforts on restoring (attaching crowns) to the implants after they have “fused” (integrated) to the jaw. Up to now, this relationship has worked very well and we have become quite skillful in restoring implants as well as natural teeth. However, placing implants directly in our office will save patients the additional time, cost, and hassle of going to another doctor’s office and give me additional control over the restorative outcome that is unavailable when the surgery is referred out. In the beginning, we will focus on simpler and predictable cases and will continue to refer more complex or involved cases to more experienced specialists. Dental Implants are a great way to replace missing and hopeless teeth without relying on fixed bridges or removable teeth. I am really proud to incorporate dental implant placement into our practice and I am continually committed to improve my knowledge and skills so we will always be on the cutting edge of technology and service!

Gotta go, so until next time,

Mark Langberg, DDS, MAGD