Implants

I’ve been having a lot of trouble with my dentures lately. They seem to need to be re-fitted constantly, and yet they still cause me pain. Is there anything I can do?

When teeth are lost, the lack of stimulation to the residual jaw bone causes a decrease in width, then height of the bone. There is a 25 percent decrease in width of bone during just the first year after a tooth is lost! This decrease in bone volume is the main reason people wearing removable dentures or partial dentures experience more problems as time goes on. Additionally, the pressure added just by wearing dentures accelerates shrinkage of the jaw bone. Each year, 45 million packages of denture adhesives are sold in the United States to people trying to keep their dentures in place. Patients put up with unpleasant taste, need for repeated applications of adhesives, and embarrassing circumstances in a futile attempt to regain the comfort and function that they previously enjoyed. These problems can be alleviated with implant-supported dental restorations. Here are just some of the advantages of dental implant-supported restorations:

• Preservation of the jaw bone
• Preservation of the appearance of the face
• Improved psychological health
• Reduced bulk of dental restorations
• Improved function
• Improved speech
• Better comfort
• Increased confidence and satisfaction

I read that people with poor bone structure in their jaws may not be able to get dental implants. My jawbone has receded slightly, according to my dentist. Do I have any hope of successful dental implantation?

It is impossible to determine who is eligible for any procedure prior to their first consultation. Drs. Newell and Clarkson must sit down and speak with you and examine your mouth before making any sort of decision. However, we do offer patients several different implant options, and thanks to modern procedures and technologies, nearly everyone is a potential candidate for dental implants!

In many cases, we utilize computerized tomography (CAT-Scan) to produce a 3-D image of your jawbone. This allows us to determine exactly how much bone structure there is to work with. During your initial consultation, we will determine whether or not CAT-Scan imaging will be beneficial for your particular situation.

For patients seeking to permanently replace missing teeth, we offer a variety of solutions. These include single tooth replacement, multiple tooth replacement, and even full mouth replacement. Due to recent advancements, it is now possible to help the jaw regrow bone which has been lost. Nearly everyone who desires implant supported teeth is a candidate for dental implants.

I’m pretty sure that I want dental implants, but every dentist I’ve seen needs to refer me to an oral surgeon a town away to have the actual implants done. I don’t need the extra hassle of keeping appointments in several locations.

At our office in Virginia Beach, we offer our patients both implant placement and restoration. Dr. Newell has been extensively trained in implant surgery and implant prosthetics, and thanks to his education and years of experience holds fellowship status with the International Congress of Oral Implantologists.

Drs. Clarkson and Newell will help you decide which type of permanent teeth you would like and what treatment options will be best for you. You can then have your implants and restorations placed in our office without having to travel to a separate office. The same doctors that place and restore your implants will also be there to provide follow-up care to ensure that you have many years of satisfactory service.