If you’ve considered dental implants to secure your dentures, but you don’t qualify because your jawbone has weakened over time, a bone graft may improve your candidacy. For patients who live in or near Atlanta, oral & facial surgery specialists Drs. Andrew Aiken and Drew Shessel offer all aspects of dental implant placement and restoration.
In today’s blog, you’ll learn:
How dental implants improve quality of life
Benefits of dental implants
Implant candidacy
Why to choose Oral Surgery Specialists of Atlanta for implants
Bone grafting
Implant surgery
Next steps - schedule your consultation
Dental Implants Improve Quality of Life
A dental implant can replace a single tooth, and multiple implants can hold a bridge, partial, or denture securely in place. Our doctors also perform a procedure known as All-on-Four, which uses four implants, strategically placed in the front of the jaw, to secure a full denture.
Because dental implant restorations rest on imitation teeth roots (implant posts), they won’t slip or wobble, so you’ll never again feel self-conscious about eating in public. Implant-retained dentures remain secure, even when chewing sticky or dense foods, and they can be made removable or non-removable. A non-removable implant-supported denture is a common choice for patients with cognitive disabilities, like demential or Alzheimer’s disease.
With implant-retained dentures, you will smile with confidence, knowing all your teeth are pearly white and beautiful. Modern dentures look like natural teeth! No one but you and your dentist will know you have a denture.
Benefits of Dental Implants for Dentures
Help retain jawbone density
Won’t slip, wobble, or fall out
Implants can last beyond 20 years
Improve patient’s self-confidence
Paitent can consume hard, chewy foods easily
No dietary restrictions
Boosted self-confidence
Implant Candidacy
Excellent dental implant candidates have a strong jawbone, no oral infections, and overall good health. Certain medications, treatments, and medical conditions may prevent a paitent from qualifying for dental implants. If you take any of the following medicaitons or have these conditions, talk with the dentist about your concerns. In some cases, using alternative medication can improve candidacy.
Medications and conditions that could interfere with healing or implant success:
Heartburn medication
Beta-blockers
Bisphophonates
Blood thinners
Anti-depressants
NSAIDs
Antibiotics
Diabetes (not in all cases)
Cancers
Blood clotting disorders
Immune system issues
Bruxism
Also, the patient must be old enough that his or her jaw is no longer growing. For women, this age is around 16 years and for men it’s 17-20 years. There is no upper age for candidacy.
If you’ve worn dentures for some time, your jawbone may have become brittle and weak. You see, our teeth’s roots stimulate the jaw triggering the body to deliver nutrients to the bone. When no roots are in the jaw (when teeth are missing), the jawbone doesn’t receive adequate nutrients. Phosphorus and calcium keep our bones strong, so without these important nutrients, the jaw weakens. A weak jaw isn’t sufficient to support dental implants. However, a bone graft can resolidify the jawbone and improve a patient’s candidacy for implants.
Once implants are placed, they’ll stimulate the jawbone so that nutrients will be delivered and the bone can remain strong and healthy.
In Altanata, oral & facial surgery specialists Drs. Aiken and Shessel offer dental implant candidacy analysis, case planning, surgery, and restoration. They also porform bone grafts in qualifying patients.
Why Choose Oral Surgery Speacialists of Atlanta?
At our Atlanta oral & facial surgery center, we employ 3D imaging for precision case planning. Patients can opt for various levels of anesthesia, and we take great pride in helping patients feel comfortable and well cared for.
Our patients enjoy access to:
Full-service implant placement and restoration
All-on-Four procedure
Experienced dentists
Anesthesia options
Non-opiod pain medication
Bone grafting
Insurance filing
Low- and no-interest financing
Education and Board Certification
Dr. Andrew Aiken is an Atlanta native, and he completed his undergraduate education at the University of Georgia and his doctorate in dental medicine at Georgia Regents University. He earned his MD at the University of California San Francisco School of Medicine. In addition, Dr. Aiken completed a general surgery internship and residency in oral and maxillofacial surgery. He holds board certification by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.
Dr. Drew Schessel’s father and grandfather were Atlanta doctors, and Dr. Shessel is proud to have followed in their footsteps. He grew up in Buckhead and Sandy Srings, then completed his undergraduate degree at the Univerisy of Georgia and his doctorate in medical dentistry at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. Dr. Shessel served his internship in oral and maxillofacial surgery at Louisiana Health Sciences Center in New Orleans, then his residency was completed at Broward Health Medical Center and Nova Southeastern University. He holds board certification by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.
Bone Grafting
Should you have low-density bone in your jaw, your oral surgeon may suggest a bone graft to improve your candidacy for dental implants. The graft will be purchased from a tissue bank or taken from the roof of the patient’s mouth. Artificial bone is also available.
A bone graft procedure involves acquiring the tissue, then surgically placing it on weakened bone. Over three to six months, the jawbone tissue matures as it integrates the graft to solidify the bone. Once the patient’s mouth is fully healed, he or she may be a good candidate for dental implants.
Implant Surgery
The process of placing dental implants requires a few outpatient surgeries. Patients who struggle with dental fear or phobia should talk with the oral surgeon about anesthesia options. Our goal is to help patients enjoy a smooth surgery and recovery, with minimal discomfort.
After your initial consultation, if you’re a good implant candidate, the doctor will explain what you can expect moving forward. Briefly, the process involves:
Any prerequisite procedures, like bone grafting or periodontal therapy
Placement of dental implants (outpatient surgery)
Osseointegration (bone integrates with implants over about nine months)
Brief surgery to uncover implant heads from beneath gums
Secure abutments to implant heads
Place the prosthetic (crown, bridge, partial, or denture)
Follow-up oral exam
Attend regular checkups and cleanings
Practice excellent oral hygiene at home
Schedule Your Consutlation with Atlanta Oral & Facial Surgery Specialists
To learn more about dental implants, oral surgery, and All-on-Four, or to schedule an appointment to review your candidacy for implants, call us today at 404-351-5335. Our front office team can file your insurance and we accept CareCredit financing. We welcome new patients!
Our beautiful oral surgery office is located at 3280 Howell Mill Rd. NW, Suite 240 - West Wing, in Atlanta, GA, 30327. We’re open at 8am, Monday through Friday.
