The implant is rarely rejected in healthy individuals regardless of age since the surrounding bone cells bond to the titanium surface of the implant. When a tooth is removed, the implant is placed into the bone from which the natural tooth root came. The implant will then integrate into the patient’s bone in a matter of weeks. The process of bone cells bonding to the titanium surface of the implant is called osseointegration. This process generally takes place between eight to twelve weeks. Once the healing is completed, the dentist will place an attachment piece to the top of the implant (the abutment) and then a crown on the attachment. These three units make up the final implant restoration.
Dr. Morrison is one of the few dentists in the region that has been trained to place the titanium implant into the bone as well as restore the implant with the abutment and crown. Unless the patient presents with complications all of the treatment is completed in his office.
In 2007 Dr. Morrison spent the year taking advanced training courses as a student with the Triangle Dental Institute in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. This is where he learned advanced training techniques in implant surgical and restorative treatment. Overall, he has spent several hundred hours in continuing education on dental implant treatment and has treated numerous patients with these procedures. In 2008, he earned a Fellowship in the International Congress of Oral Implantologists for his work in the field of dental implants.
Benefits for choosing dental implants:
- Avoidance of treatment to the adjacent teeth. By leaving the adjacent teeth alone you are helping to maintain the strength and integrity of those teeth.
- Dental implants can be flossed and brushed normally since they stand alone. This allows the mouth to be healthier than with bridges or removable partial dentures which can trap food, plaque, tartar, and bacteria under them.
- Unlike a dental bridge, implants do not rely on the health of a natural tooth. The natural tooth is completely removed which means the implant, abutment, and crown have a zero chance for tooth decay.
- If maintained properly, implants tend to last twice as long as other tooth replacement options.
- When dental implants are placed in vacant bone, natural bone loss that would normally occur in the area is prevented.
Not only do dental implants replace individual teeth by supporting crowns but they can also be used to support bridges, partial dentures, and full dentures in people with multiple missing teeth or those with no teeth at all. In these situations multiple implants are placed and utilized to support the chosen prosthesis.
Denture wearers benefit greatly from dental implants by gaining support, stability and retention of the denture. This is a wonderful way to keep a denture stable without using denture paste thus improving your eating ability and therefore your overall health.