Center for Implant Dentistry

Dental Implants in Clarkston, MI

Clarkston Family Dental is excited to introduce that we have joined Dr. Yuksel Erpardo in integrating a Center for Implant Dentistry into our practice. The benefit of having this center within our practice is that our patients no longer have to be referred to specialists outside the office for their specialty treatments, the specialists will now come to us!

Dental implants are changing the way we live. A dental implant is the best treatment provided today for the replacement of missing teeth. They look, feel, and function like natural teeth. They are esthetically pleasing, and you cannot tell by looking that you have a dental implant.  If you are someone who is missing a single tooth, or multiple teeth, a dental implant affords you to have the ability to live your life as you would if you had a full set of natural teeth, such as not needing to be conscientious of what you eat as you need to be with dentures and partials. Most importantly, dental implants will preserve the bone of your jaws from atrophying or deteriorating, which naturally occurs when you are missing teeth. By preserving the bone you will also preserve your facial structure and features. Having a dental implant(s) allows you, as a patient, to smile, laugh and eat with more confidence and will improve the quality of your life.

Dental Implant Therapy has a prosthetic component and a surgical component to it. Our new surgical suite is designed specifically for the Center for Implant Dentistry, to focus primarily on dental implants restorations, where patients can get their smiles back with implant therapy including the prosthetic and surgical portions done under one roof.

Why Should You Get Dental Implants?

Once you are completely informed about dental implants, you finally realize there is a way to improve the quality of your life.  When you are missing single or multiple teeth whether, it’s a new situation or something you have lived with for years.  Chances are you have never become fully accustomed to losing such a vital part of yourself.

Why Select Dental Implants Over More Traditional Types Of Restorations?

There are several reasons: Why sacrifice the structure of surrounding good teeth to bridge a space? In addition, removing a denture or a partial at night may be inconvenient, not to mention that dentures that slip can be uncomfortable and rather embarrassing.

What Are Dental Implants?

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that is placed into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge. The implants themselves are tiny titanium posts that can be surgically placed in the areas where you have missing teeth. The bone fuses to the implant creating a strong foundation for your tooth/crown.
Natural teeth consist of the crown and the root.
An implant has commonly three parts:

  • the implant device itself (which is inserted directly into the bone)
  • the abutment - the piece that connects the implant device to the third part
  • the overlying crown or denture

What is the Implant Process?

For most patients, the placement of dental implants involves one surgical procedure. First, the implant(s) are placed within your jawbone. Dr. Erpardo performs in-office implant surgery in a hospital-style operating suite, thus optimizing the level of sterility.  Inpatient/outpatient hospital implant surgery is for patients who have special medical or anesthetic needs or for those who need extensive bone grafting from the hip or tibia.
You will have a two to three-month healing period following surgery. This healing time allows the implant(s) to fuse strongly to the bone. In most cases you will be able to wear a temporary prosthesis/ denture, which allows you to never have to be without your teeth. You will need to be on a soft diet during this time.

After two-three months of healing has passed and the implant has integrated into the bone, the second phase begins and your restorative dentist will attach small posts/abutment(s) that the artificial tooth/teeth will be seated down upon. When the artificial tooth/teeth are placed, these posts/abutment(s) will not be seen.

Once the implants have had a chance to heal and have been tested for successful integration, the final restorative step takes place. This stage consists of fabricating a crown/bridge or connecting the implant to a denture.

The entire process usually takes three to six months. Most patients experience minimal disruption in their daily life.

Can You Get Immediate Implant Placement After Extraction?

If you are a candidate, in some cases an immediate implant can be placed simultaneously with a tooth extraction – further minimizing the number of surgical procedures and expediting your healing time.

Dental implant placement is a team effort between an oral and maxillofacial surgeon and a restorative dentist.  While Dr. Erpardo performs the actual implant surgery, initial tooth extractions, and sinus or bone grafting if necessary, the restorative dentist, (your dentist), fits and makes the permanent crown/tooth. Your dentist will also make any temporary prosthesis needed during the implant process.

What is Bone Grafting?

If there is inadequate bone available to provide sufficient foundation to support implants, we can rebuild the bone with various bone grafting techniques. We utilize either cadaver bone or the patient’s bone, or a combination of both. In some cases, synthetic bone may also be used.

What Types Of Prosthesis Are Available?

A single crown/tooth is used to replace one missing tooth – each crown/tooth attaches to its own implant.  A fixed bridge can replace two or more teeth and may require only two or three implants.  A complete dental prosthesis/denture replaces all the teeth in your upper and/or lower jaw.  The number of implants varies depending upon which type of complete prosthesis, removable or fixed is recommended.  A removable prosthesis/over- denture, attaches to a bar or retentive anchors, whereas a fixed prosthesis is permanent and can only be removed by your dentist.

Is Oral Sedation Available?

Dr. Erpardo is highly trained and experienced in the area of Sedation Dentistry. There is no reason that any patient should feel anxiety over the idea of implant surgery.

The majority of dental implants, bone grafting and adjunctive procedures can be performed in an office setting under local anesthesia or with local anesthesia or Oral Sedation.

Are You A Candidate For Implants?

If you are considering implants, your mouth must be examined thoroughly and your medical and dental history reviewed.  If you are not initially a candidate for implants there are many adjunctive procedures such as bone grafting, etc., that can be performed to make you an ideal candidate and may be recommended at the time of your consult.

Do Implants Need Special Care?

Once the implants are in place, they will serve you well for many years if you take care of them and keep your mouth healthy.  This means taking the time for good oral hygiene brushing, flossing and keeping regular appointments with your dentist.

Yuksel Erpardo DDS, PhD
Director of Center for Implant Dentistry

If you are interested in dental implants with Clarkston Family Dental,
call our office located in Clarkston, MI at (248) 625-2424 to schedule your appointment!

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