Dental Implants

Dental Implants in Minneapolis

What if I don't meet implant health requirements?

The state of the patient's general health and oral health can be greatly improved to prepare for dental implants.

Improving general health for dental implants

Good general health can be improved by removing the bacteria, plague and calculus (tartar) that can plague teeth. This is espectially true if one has gum disease. Like any disease in the body, gum disease requires the body's immune system to be constantly fighting infection, draining it of strength and vitality. By removing the bacteria, plague and calculus causing gum disease through a procedure known as deep cleaning, the source of infection is removed, giving the body one less problem to deal with.

Achieving healthy gums for dental implants

The three main ways to keep gums heathy and improve their health for implants are:

Proper brushing techniques and a good brush

Daily flossing

Regular hygiene cleaning

We help you learn about the first of these two. As simple as it may sound, flossing and learning how to properly brush can be the most important things you do to have a healthy mouth. The brush clears away food and bacteria from the exposed areas of the teeth, and flossing gets where a brush cannot. Its just that simple. Really.

It is equally important to note, however, that what "proper" brushing and flossing techniques are, however, is not so obvious. So, that's why we teach you how. Need a "brush up" course on this? Just ask!

In any case, most of the time one can see immediate results in the health of the gums and teeth.

Sufficient support bone for dental implants

When sufficient bone does not exist to support a dental implant, all is not lost! By doing a bone graft in the affected area, bone can be regenerated in many patients, making them candidates for a dental implant.

Time commitment for dental implants

Because doing a dental implant requires surgery, the mouth must heal before an implant can be finalized. Also, the bone surrounding the implant must grow around the implant's anchor to adequate support the implant, and this normally six months is required to allow for this. Consequently, the overall length of time needed to complete an implant is extensive.

The dental implant surgery

Placing the anchor of the implant requires dental surgery that we do not perform in our office; rather we refer our patients out to arguably one of the best dental surgeons in the city.

After dental implant surgery

The surgery involved is only the first step in doing a dental implant, however. After the surgery is complete, we care for and finalize the implant by:

Monitoring the surgery and state of the implant

Hygiene to keep the implant clean and healthy

The capping of the implant with the actual tooth