Aesthetic Implants

So what does it take to make an implant look just like a real tooth?

If an implant is to be positioned in the aesthetic zone of the mouth (usually the front part of the mouth where teeth are clearly visible during smiling and talking), its important that it look natural and aesthetic. The trick is to make it look so that it blends in with the other teeth, and does not stick out.

So how is this accomplished?
The most concise answer is planning. Every aspect of the implant procedure must be preplanned and the doctor must have a clear vision of how the implant needs to look like before they start any procedures. This required experience to know what to look for, and to avoid potential pitfalls.

In the aesthetic zone the surgeon only has one shot at getting it right. If things don't go according to plan, or if there are complications then it becomes very difficult if not impossible to correct the situation.

I see a number of patients in my practice for second opinions to repair or correct implants that were not placed correctly, and in most situations the errors could have been prevented by proper planing.

What do dental implants cost?

The cost of dental implants are dependent on multiple factors some of which include:

• The complexity of the case
• The position of the implant in your mouth
• The type and brand of implant used
• The skill level and experience of the doctor
• The geographic location of the doctor

Lets look at each one of these factors individually. The more complicated a case is the more expensive the procedure will be. Factors that can complicate a dental implant treatment include, lack of adequate bone in the area which will require bone reconstruction, the presence of soft tissue defects (not enough gum tissue), the angulation of the jaw bone, presence of anatomical landmarks etc. All of these factors increase treatment time which will increase treatment costs.
The position of the implant in the mouth can also be a factor when calculating costs. An implant placed in the front part of the mouth requires a lot more skill and attention to make it look aesthetically pleasing (look like a real tooth), than one in the back of the mouth. So the aesthetic implants will cost more than the other ones.

The brand of the implant can also play a factor in the fee. Like any other product, there are various brands of implants. Some brands have 30 plus years of research and multi-million dollar companies behind them, and some others are newer to the market and have a "mom and pop" style company behind them. The more reputable brands of implants can cost five times as much as the other ones so when a doctor uses brand implants the patient will pay slightly more for the implant (it is usually only a bit more, most reputable doctors absorb the additional cost of the good brand implants in order to have the peace of mind that comes with it).
The skill and experience level also may play a role. An experienced doctor may charge a bit more for his services. But on the other hand an experienced doctor can save you money by doing the procedures more efficiently and reducing complications. The physical location of the dental practice can also play a role. For example doctors tend to charge more in Manhattan, than in Atlanta.

So what are the average fees for implants around the country you ask....
Well remember dental implants have three components:

• the implant itself which is a substitute for the root of the tooth
• The abutment - this is a second post that connects the crown to the implant
  
• The crown - this is the part that shows and is used to bite with

Please click here for an illustration www.beverlyhillsperio.com/dental-implants.html
the implant can range from $1500 to $3000
The abutment can range from $400 to $800
The crown can range from $800 to $2000

These fees are per implant, so to replace a tooth it can cost from as low as $2700 to $5800 depending on the situation, the brand of the implant and where you live. These fees do not include bone or gum grafting if those are needed.



/*

Dental Implants – The perfect solution for replacing lost teeth

Dental implants have revolutionized the practice of dentistry and are now considered the treatment of choice for the replacement of missing teeth or teeth that are going to be lost to decay, fracture or gum disease. A dental implant is a small titanium cylinder that is placed in the jaw bone to replace the root of the missing tooth. Once restored the implant looks and feels as natural as the original tooth. Dental implants have many advantages over traditional bridges or partials, but the main two advantages are preservation of the jaw bone (which helps maintain the facial muscles, preventing premature wrinkles) and implants do not damage adjacent teeth. Dental implants can be used to replace a single or multiple missing teeth. Dental implant therapy is extremely predictable with success rates as high as 98%. The entire process is surprisingly gentle and painless.

Dr. Madison maintains a practice limited to periodontics and dental implants in Beverly Hills, CA

He may be reached at 310 553-2940, or you may visit his website at www.beverlyhillsperio.com

Oral Cancer

Mouth and throat cancers will hit more than 30,000 Americans this year, making the disease the sixth most common cancer, just ahead of cervical cancer and melanoma of skin. In the U.S.

Like many other cancers, early detection can improve the chances of successful treatment, and one person dies form oral cancer every hour! Currently only half of all patients diagnosed with oral cancer survive more than five years. In most cases, the disease will strike people over the age of forty, and males are twice as likely to get oral cancer than females, according to reports.regular dental check-ups, including an examination of the entire mouth, are essential in the early detection of cancerous and pre-cancerous conditions. You may have a very small, but dangerous, oral spot or sore and not be aware of it. As part of a regular examination dentists should routinely check your oral tissues for signs of cancerous or pre-cancerous lesions. Dentists carefully examine all areas of your mouth (as well as the lymph nodes around your neck and jaws). In about 10% of patients, we may notice a flat, painless, white or red spot or a small sore in the mouth. Although most of these are harmless, some are not.

Harmful oral spots or sores often look identical to those that are harmless - testing can tell them apart.

If we find a sore with a likely cause, we may treat it and ask you to return for re-examination. If we ever notice a spot or sore that looks harmless but does not have a clear cause we may choose to perform a simple test, such as a brush biopsy (similar to a PAP smear), which usually is painless and can detect potentially dangerous cells when the disease is still at an early stage.

If we something that looks very suspicious and dangerous, a scalpel biopsy may be recommended. This usually requires local anesthesia, and an oral pathologist will evaluate the sample.

Adults also can take an active role in the early detection of oral cancer by doing self-examinations. This means looking into a mirror and checking the lips, gums, cheek lining, tongue as well as the throat, and floor and roof of the mouth for symptoms of the disease.

What you should know about oral cancer.

• Often starts as a tiny, unnoticed white or red spot or sore anywhere in the mouth.
• Occurs most often in those who use tobacco in any form. Alcohol use combined with smoking greatly increases risk.

Still, more than 25% of oral cancers occur in people who do not smoke and have no other risk factors.

Signs and symptoms to look for include:

• a sore that bleeds easily or does not heal;
• a color change of the oral tissue;
• a lump, thickening, rough spot, crust or small-eroded area;
• pain, tenderness or numbness anywhere in the mouth or on the lips;
• difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking or moving the jaw or tongue;
• a change in the way the teeth fit together;
• a lump or thickening in the cheek;
• a white or red patch on the gums, tongue, tonsil or lining of the mouth;
• loosening of the teeth or pain around the teeth or jaw; or
• swelling of the jaw.

If any of these signs or symptoms are noticed, contact us immediately for an evaluation.
In addition to age, other factors can increase the risk of developing oral cancer. As mentioned previously, oral cancers are more likely to occur among people who use tobacco products -- including cigarettes, cigars, pipes and smokeless varieties.

In fact smokers are six times more likely than nonsmokers to develop oral cancers. Smokeless tobacco (snuff or chewing tobacco) is associated with cancers of the cheek, gums and lining of the lips, increasing the risk by about 50 times.

The risk of developing oral cancer rises with increased alcohol consumption. According to the American Cancer Society, alcohol consumption strongly increases the risk of oral cancer. Approximately 75 percent to 80 percent of all patients with oral cancer frequently consume alcohol. Oral cancers are about six times more common in drinkers than in nondrinkers. People who smoke and drink alcohol have an even higher risk of cancer than those using alcohol or tobacco alone.

Adults also may be able to reduce the potential for oral cancer by adopting healthful eating habits. Some research suggests that a diet high in fruits and vegetables may help prevent the development of oral cancer lesions.

Knowing the risk factors and taking steps to prevent pre-cancerous lesions from developing can go a long way toward limiting the influence oral cancer can have on your life.

Risk of dental implants and Fosomax

Bisphosphonate Risks

There has been a lot of news coverage about bone-bolstering medications known as bisphosphonates. Such drugs go by the brand names Fosamax, Actonel, Boniva, Zometa and Aredia. Some are taken by pill, and others are injectable. They're designed to help people at risk for osteoporosis, a bone-thinning disease associated with aging, or to combat bone loss from the effects of cancer. More than 10 million American women take Fosamax alone.

But some reports claim that bisphosphonates, which remain in the bones for a long time, actually cause bone problems in some users by destroying bone in the jaw. The jawbone destruction is called osteonecrosis. The problem is usually encounterd afer invasive dental procedures such as extractions. Although not completely understood bisphosphonate drug may shut down the production of cells called osteoclasts, making it difficult for the bone to respond and recover if an infection sets in.

To date, the incidence of drug-induced jawbone disease remains rare. Researchers report fewer than 400 cases of the disease and the vast majority of these cases -- 94 percent -- are associated with the injectable form of the medicines taken by cancer patients.

Anyone who is using bisphosphonates or is considering using them would be wise to maintain their oral heath in an optimum state. We recommend having complete examinations done to ensure the health of your gums and teeth, and caution should be taken if invasive procedures such as extractions or surgery are planed.

To help prevent osteoporosis:
* Stop smoking.
* Reduce the use of alcohol.
* Exercise regularly.
* Eat a balanced diet with calcium.
* Ask your doctor if you need to take a calcium or vitamin D dietary supplement

Dental Implant Warning!

With the rise in popularity of dental implants, and the associated profitability of the dental implant business (of dental implant manufacturers) some of the dental implant companies are pushing to expand their business by "training" general dentists to surgically place the implants.

This training usually takes place over a weekend course of sometimes over several weekends. The unfortunate aspect of this type of training is that the dentist come out believing that they are fully trained to surgically manage a patient, but often find out in a middle of a case that their "mini" residency was woefully inadequate, and sometimes find themselves in big trouble.

Dental implant surgery can be easy and routine most of the time, but with most of the cases a high level of skill, expertise, and surgical know how is required to achieve complete success, and to reduce risks to the patient.

I firmly believe that university or hospital based surgical training is the only means to adequately prepare a dentist to become excellent implant surgeons. This type of training teaches you how to manage complications should they arise, which is the hallmark of a great practitioner.

Launch Of Implantology News

This is where you can get the latest news about dental implants both for the patient and the professional