Dental Implants

Dental Implants

Dental Implants are quickly becoming one of the most popular procedures in dentistry. With many advances in technology, teeth can be replaced with incredible accuracy. In many cases, teeth can be replaced in as little as one day! All implants are placed by our board-certified oral surgeon. One location, one dental team, one price! His expertise promises quality treatment for the foundation of your new tooth. Once a dental crown is placed, you can rest easy knowing you will be comfortable with your beautiful and strong tooth replacement.

Types of Dental Implant Solutions

A dental implant replaces the root of a lost tooth. Implants have come a long way since their beginnings in the early 1960s. Dr. P-I Brånemark created the first modern dental implants and developed what is the “Gold Standard” of Implantology. He founded Nobel Biocare, which is one of the systems Dr. Koeppel uses in his office today. Another notable company is Dentsply, which fabricates Astra Tech Implant System EV. This system has been proven to maintain bone surrounding implants, as well as providing an outstanding base for aesthetics, a critical attribute. Implantology has really become the most permanent way to replace missing teeth. Implants cannot decay like teeth because they are made of titanium and are built to last. There are many different shapes and sizes of implants and many different brands.

Long Island Dental Implants Specialist Dr. Koeppel has attachment pieces to every top brand out there; this is beneficial to patients because he is able to restore implants done outside of his office, as well.

Why Would I Need A Dental Implant?

Nothing compares to the endurance and support of dental implants when restoring dental function and maintaining jawbone and tissue integrity. Implants are a very crucial improvement to dentistry. We are now able to give people back what they have lost or what wasn’t there in the first place. Teeth that are so severely decayed that they cannot be saved can now be replaced! Implants are also used to anchor hybrid cosmetic dentures into place, anchor fixed bridges, reconstruct the smiles of trauma victims who have lost teeth, replace genetically missing laterals, and to fill spaces of missing teeth from numerous untreated extractions. Replacement of failed implants from previous treatments can also be done.

The bone and tissue structure in human jaws will resorb (dissolve away), if left untreated. Dr. Koeppel recommends the use of implant-supported devices to help counteract the process caused from untreated tooth loss or edentulous patients. When dentures are the final treatment plan for a patient Koeppel Dental Group can do 2 or more implants to anchor on the denture for most patients. This will stimulate jawbone tissue health, and make wearing dentures an enjoyable experience instead of a bother.

Surgical Guides for Implant Surgery

Surgical guides have changed the game in implantology. These devices have made implantology an exact science. Many new opportunities in the world of implantology for patients with compromised bone structure are available now.

In the past, bone structure could not be completely determined until the doctor uncovered the bone during surgery. This could clearly cause problems because surgeons were not sure what they were going in to. If a surgeon was to find that the bone was not adequate for the implant, he had two options: the first being closing the patient up and informing them there was a lack of bone or placing the implant anyway, and possibly causing an implant to fail or be restored inadequately, leading to massive issues in the future. When necessary, Dr. Koeppel uses these surgical guides because they allow for no surprise when the surgery takes place, as well as a 3D cone beam scanner.

Cone Beam CT Scanner

Dr. Koeppel uses the Ultra-Low Dose Planmeca ProMax 3D scanner to measure the width and height of bone mass previously unknown without this technology. This accuracy is unmatched by previous 2-D capabilities, such as a panoramic x-ray. Now patients can see their situations, understand, and comprehend the treatment being planned. With this critical imaging we can see accurate placing of nerve pathways, sinus cavities, bone masses, and the health of gum tissue surrounding the area, making the actual procedure safer than ever before. At Koeppel Dental Group – A Dental365 Company, safety is our main concern.

Implant Planning Software

Dr. Koeppel works with patients to create a treatment plan right for them, not only technically, but budget-wise as well. With all this modern technology the patient is actually able to influence their treatment plans by participating and understanding the selection of implant sizes, devices, and types of implant. With 3-D video imaging systems the whole procedure is run through virtually many times before it even begins, bringing ease to the patient. Koeppel Dental Group – A Dental365 Company can blue print and fine tune treatment exactly to that patient.

How Long Does Dental Implant Surgery Take?

The actual surgery should not take much longer than an hour. All planning is previously drawn out and completed on the computer. Bone grafts and bone augmentation are also completed at Koeppel Dental Group if needed, to assure in proper implant placement and success.

What to Expect During Recovery

Dr. Koeppel does everything possible to make sure his patients are totally comfortable and prepares them for a quick recovery. After the implants are placed, the patients are given immediate ice packs and explained home care instructions. Patients leave the office feeling totally confident in the implant and comfortable with the experience. With implants, the usual healing time is 3-6 months. This time is crucial so that the tissue can recover, and it prevents further trauma to the area. This also gives enough time for proper osseointegration (implant fusing to bone) to take place. During this interim process the patient will be wearing a healing abutment or cover screw. This not only allows for no bacteria to reach the implant, but also allows the tissue to be maintained in the exact position Dr. Koeppel prescribes. A space maintainer is also worn to hold the exact position of the space to give the implant-abutted crown or bridge enough room, and to allow us to give you a tooth with the exact dimensions of the tooth being lost. Sometimes “teeth in a day” cases can go home the day of surgery or 1-2 days later with teeth.

Dental Implant Restoration

Restoration is the process of creating an artificial tooth or teeth and attaching it to the implant. After 3-6 months, patients return to the office to be custom fitted for the implant supported device. Impressions are taken and a crown, bridge, partial or full denture is fabricated.

The healing abutment is removed, and a new custom abutment is placed on the implant. These custom abutments are then torqued in with a special torque wrench to prevent loosing of the screw. This custom abutment is a metal cylinder, or white cylinder that the restoration is cemented on.