Dental Implants - Willow Grove PA

 

Dental Implants

Why have Dental Implants become such a popular treatment option?

Statistics show that nearly 70% of adults may have lost at least one permanent tooth to periodontal disease, an accident, a failed root canal or tooth decay. Also, by age 75, approximately 25% of adults have lost all of their permanent teeth.
Dental implants are very frequently the best treatment option for replacing missing teeth. A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that is placed into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge. Instead of resting on the gum line like removable dentures, or using adjacent teeth as anchors like fixed bridges, dental implants are long term tooth replacements that Dr. Mueller surgically places in the jawbone. Dental implants never slip or make noises that would indicate that you have "false teeth," They never decay like teeth can that anchor fixed bridges. Dental Implants are generally composed of titanium metal, and that metal fuses with bone.


"How I utilize the placement of dental implants to benefit my patients is determined on an individual diagnosis and treatment basis.  For example, I will place a dental implant(s) to replace one or more individual teeth to complete the restoration of a partially complete dental arch.  However, the patient totally without teeth, or facing the removal of remaining teeth, may require dental implants to support and stabilize a removable denture.  A superior and patient-preferred utilization of implants in a similar case will incorporate several implants to secure an entire arch of teeth as a non-removable functional bridge.

By offering dental implants in my patient treatment plans, my patients benefit from what may be considered the most conservative and long-lasting treatment option available today. In most cases, state of the art i-CAT 3D imaging is also used to provide the most accurate placement of the implants.

With most of my implant patients, I include placing the implant(s)s only as a portion of the overall treatment plan.  I will often include implants in my treatment of gum disease, bone augmentation, misalignment of teeth, Root Canal Treatment, crown and bridge prosthetics, denture requirements, and elective cosmetic procedures as necessary."

                                                                                                                                                 - Dr. M


Many years ago, patients wouldn't have had any alternative but to use a fixed bridge or traditional removable denture to restore their tooth function and appearance.
Today dental implants are the superior option for patients who are missing permanent teeth. Removable dentures can slip and cause sounds while eating and speaking. Also, fixed bridges often can affect adjacent teeth, and removable dentures may lead to bone loss. Recurring tooth decay, periodontal disease and other factors frequently lead to fixed bridgework failure. Call our office today at (215)657-5700 to find out more about how dental implants can help you.




Are you a candidate for Dental Implants?

Whether you need to replace one tooth, several teeth, or all your teeth, there is a dental implant solution for you. With the obvious exception of children, dental implants are a great solution for people of all ages.

Dental implants can generally still be used successfully if a patient has:

Existing medical conditions... If you can have routine dental treatment, you can generally have an implant placed. While precautions are advisable for certain conditions, patients with such chronic diseases as high blood pressure and diabetes are usually successful candidates for dental implants.

Currently utilizing dentures or partials... Implants can replace removable bridges or dentures, and they can be used to stabilize and secure the denture, making it more comfortable to wear.

Problem teeth or periodontal disease... Almost all implants placed in patients who have lost their teeth to periodontal disease or decay have been successful.

Patients experiencing bone loss... Bone loss is not uncommon for people who have lost teeth or had periodontal disease. Dr. Mueller is trained and experienced in grafting bone to safely and permanently secure the implant.

Smokers... Smoking can lower the success rate of implants, it doesn't however eliminate the possibility of using them as part of your treatment plan.