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Dental Implants Specialist in Atlanta

Dental implants are a permanent solution to missing teeth. One or more missing teeth can cause bone loss and make it challenging for you to chew properly and speak clearly. Brett Langston, DMD and the staff at Dental Implant and Aesthetic Specialists of Atlanta in Brookhaven, Georgia, can improve the function of your bite, improve the aesthetics of your mouth, and give you a healthier smile with the help of implants.

A dental implant procedure can restore a single tooth, a full mouth, and everything in between. To learn more about dental implants, call the office or request an appointment online.

dentalimplants

Dental Implant Replacements

Dental implant replacements refer to removing a failed or problematic dental implant and placing a new one. Dental implants are artificial structures placed in the jawbone to support replacement teeth or bridges. They are considered a long-term solution for tooth loss but can sometimes fail or require replacement due to various reasons:

  • Implant Failure: Dental implants, known as osseointegration, can fail to integrate with the jawbone properly. This failure can occur soon after the implant surgery or years later and might be due to infection, insufficient bone density, or the patient’s health conditions.
  • Mechanical Problems: Components of the implant, such as the abutment or the crown, can sometimes break or become damaged, necessitating replacement of the part or the entire implant.
  • Infection: Peri-implantitis is an infection that can occur around the implant and the gums, leading to bone loss and the potential failure of the implant. Treatment might require removing the implant, treating the infection, and placing a new implant.
  • Aesthetic Concerns: An implant may need to be replaced for aesthetic reasons, such as improper alignment or dissatisfaction with the appearance.

Bone Loss: If there is significant bone loss around an implant, it may become loose and require replacement. In such cases, bone grafting might be necessary before a new implant can be placed.

How Dr. Langston’s Office Replaces an Implant

1. Removal of the Failed Implant

The first step is to carefully remove the failed implant to minimize damage to the surrounding bone.

2. Evaluation and Treatment of the Site

Once the implant is removed, the dentist evaluates the site for infection or bone loss. Treatment may include bone grafting or infection control.

3. Healing Period

After the removal and site preparation, a healing period is usually required to allow for bone growth and healing.

4. Placement of the New Implant

A new dental implant is placed once the site has healed sufficiently.

5. Restoration

After the new implant has integrated with the bone, it is topped with an abutment and a new crown or bridge.

The success of dental implant replacement depends on various factors, including the reason for the initial failure, the patient’s overall health, and the quality of post-procedural care. Regular dental check-ups and good oral hygiene are crucial for the longevity of the replacement implant.

Meet Our Dental Implant Providers and Surgeons in Atlanta

Dental implants are replacement teeth that are permanently fixed in your mouth. Implants have three main parts: a titanium screw, a connector, and a crown.

The titanium screw acts as a replacement for a natural tooth root. It’s surgically implanted into your jawbone, and the bone grows around it to secure it in place.

The connector sits on top of the artificial root and connects it to the crown. Because Dental Implant and Aesthetic Specialists of Atlanta custom-develops every dental implant, the artificial tooth blends in with the color, size, and shape of your other teeth.

Dental implants work because your jawbone fuses to the implant and creates a solid base for the crown. The implants are secure, making chewing, talking, and smiling feel comfortable and natural.

What Types of Dental Implants Are There?

Dental implants are a very flexible option in restorative dentistry. They can be used to restore a single tooth, several teeth, or even a full mouth.

Replacing even one missing tooth improves your oral health and mouth function greatly. However, everyone is different, and Dr. Langston and his team in Atlanta will personalize your implant recommendations for your mouth.

Implants can be useful in supporting or strengthening other oral appliances like bridges, as well as partial and full dentures. For some patients, hybrid dentures, or full-mouth permanent dentures with dental implants, are a good option.

What Can I Expect When I get a Dental Implant Treatment?

Getting a dental implant typically takes a few visits to the office, spread out over a number of months. Your first appointment includes a full oral exam, where Dr. Langston and the team take digital X-rays and discuss your treatment options. If you need a tooth extracted, they will coordinate with our onsite surgical team to have that tooth pulled. Most of the time, the surgical team can place the dental implant at the same time the tooth is extracted. However, sometimes the implant procedure will require another visit. The Oral Surgeon makes a small incision in your gum to reach your jawbone and drills a hole to insert the implant. After this appointment, you’ll need to wait for your bone and gums to heal before getting the crown attached.

Once you’ve healed from the oral surgery, you return to Dr. Langston’s office for your crown fitting. Depending on your treatment plan, you may get a single crown, an implant-supported bridge or dentures, or multiple crowns.

Implant Screw Rescue

Implant screw rescue addresses issues related to the loosening or fracturing of the screw that holds a dental implant’s components together. Dental implants consist of several parts: the implant post that integrates with the jawbone, the abutment (which connects the implant post to the replacement tooth), and the prosthetic tooth (such as a crown). A small screw typically holds these components together. When this screw becomes loose or breaks, it can compromise the stability and function of the implant, necessitating a rescue procedure.

Our Implant Screw Rescue Process:

  1. Diagnosis: The first step is identifying the issue, which usually involves clinical examination and possibly imaging studies to assess the integrity of the implant and the position of the screw.
  2. Access: The dentist or oral surgeon must carefully access the screw. This often involves removing the prosthetic crown or bridge to reach the screw that connects the abutment to the implant post.

  3. Removal: Using specialized tools, the dentist will attempt to remove the loose or broken screw. This step must be done with great care to avoid damaging the internal threading of the implant or the implant itself.
  4. Evaluation: Once the screw is removed, the dentist evaluates the implant, abutment, and prosthetic components for any damage. They also assess whether the internal threads of the implant are intact.
  5. Replacement: If the threads and components are undamaged, a new screw is typically inserted and tightened to the proper torque specifications. If there is damage to the threads or other components, further corrective procedures may be necessary.
  6. Reassembly: After addressing the screw issue, the abutment and the prosthetic tooth are reattached securely, ensuring that the implant’s functionality and aesthetics are restored.
  7. FollowUp: Regular follow-up appointments are crucial to monitor the stability of the implant and the integrity of the new screw placement.

Implant screw rescue procedures are vital for maintaining the longevity and functionality of dental implants. They address immediate problems while helping prevent potential complications, such as implant failure or infection. Given the complexity and precision required for such procedures, they should be performed by experienced dental professionals specializing in implant dentistry.

For the best in dental implants and restorative dentistry, visit Dental Implant and Aesthetic Specialists of Atlanta. Call our office in Brookhaven, GA at (404) 321-4588 to schedule an appointment!