Dental Implants in honolulu & aiea
Statistics show that 69% of adults ages 35 to 44 have lost at least one permanent tooth to an accident, gum disease, a failed root canal, or tooth decay. By age 74, 26% of adults have lost all of their permanent teeth. While these statistics may be alarming, dental implant surgery in Honolulu offers a solution that replaces missing teeth with beautiful, functional restorations that protect your oral health and restore your smile. Drs. Haynes, Lung, Pampalon or Lim offers a number of oral surgery treatments that can keep your mouth healthy and your smile beautiful. Contact us today!Ready to Schedule a Consultation?
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are the only permanent solution for missing teeth. The implants are titanium screws or posts. They are surgically placed in the jawbone to replace the roots of missing teeth. Over time, the implants fuse with the jawbone. This fusion provides a stable foundation for dental restorations, such as crowns, fixed bridges, or full-arch replacement teeth. These restorations are fabricated and attached by a general dentist or prosthodontist.
Are Dental Implants Right for You?
Dental implants may be right for you if you are missing one or more teeth. Implants are versatile and appropriate for most healthy adults. With the exception of growing children, they are the solution of choice for people of all ages, including those with the following health concerns:
- If you can undergo routine dental treatment, you can generally receive an implant. For certain conditions, your provider will take additional precautions. Patients with chronic diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes usually become successful candidates for dental implant treatment.
- Most patients who lose teeth due to periodontal disease or tooth decay can receive successful implants.
- Implants can replace removable bridges or dentures or stabilize and secure dentures, making them much more comfortable.
- Although smoking lowers the success rate, you can still receive implants.
- Bone loss is common among people who lose teeth or develop periodontal disease. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons graft bone to anchor implants securely and permanently.
Types of Dental Implant Solutions We Offer
Single Tooth Dental Implants
If you lose or knock out a single tooth, our dental team in Oahu can place a single implant between your natural teeth. Once you heal, we attach a custom crown that matches your surrounding teeth for a seamless appearance, eliminating the need to damage adjacent teeth.
Implant-Supported Bridges
In the past, a dental bridge had to be supported by the remaining teeth on either side, necessitating the filing down of the natural teeth to place crowns over them. Problems included damage to otherwise healthy teeth and the deterioration of the jawbone where tooth roots were missing. Implant-supported bridges eliminate these issues by supporting the bridge with dental implants at either end, stimulating the jawbone, and eliminating the need to alter any remaining teeth.
Full-Arch Dental Implants
If you lose all of your upper or lower teeth, full-arch dental implants provide an ideal solution. Through thorough examination and digital imaging, we determine how many implants you need to securely support a full arch of replacement teeth.
Advanced Technology for Precise Implant Placement
Dental implant surgery in Oahu demands precision and accuracy. Our dental implant specialists in Honolulu leverage advanced technologies, including 3D cone beam imaging and guided implant surgery. With these tools, we place each implant in the optimal position. We set each implant at a precise angle to maximize stability and support for dental restorations.
Bone Grafting & Implant Site Preparation
If you have been looking for dental implants near you and have been told that you don’t have enough jawbone to support them, don’t despair. Our dental implant specialists in Honolulu are experts in bone grafting and implant site preparation, with years of experience working with “high-risk” patients who were previously considered not candidates. Our board-certified surgeons have successfully provided implants that last for decades.
The Dental Implant Process
At your initial consultation, your oral surgeon will evaluate your gums and any remaining teeth. They will take 3D digital images using our cone beam CT scanner. Your surgeon will also discuss your implant options. We will coordinate with the restorative dentist who will make your dental restorations and create a customized treatment plan.
On the day of surgery, we numb the area and provide an appropriate level of sedation for your comfort. Some patients choose IV sedation. This puts you into a state of semi-consciousness, sometimes called “twilight sleep.” You will not feel any pain or anxiety. Most patients do not recall anything about their surgery afterward.
We surgically  place the implants in the jaw using a surgical guide to ensure proper placement. The gums are then sutured closed. Over the next 3 to 4 months, the titanium implant will fuse with the surrounding bone, creating a stable foundation for a permanent restoration. During this time, you can wear a temporary restoration and eat a soft diet to allow time for healing.
Once healing is complete, your restoration dentist removes the temporary crown or prosthetic and then permanently attaches your final, custom restoration. In many cases, these last a lifetime with proper care.
The teamwork continues long after placement of the implant and crown. Your oral and maxillofacial surgeon and restorative dentist conduct critical follow-up examinations and carefully chart your progress during these visits. Both specialists collaborate to provide the highest level of aftercare.
Comfort-Focused Implant Surgery
Anxiety and fear of the unknown are common when faced with surgery. The best way to reduce anxiety is to make certain you know what to expect during and after surgery. As with most anxiety-producing situations, the more you know, the less you have to be anxious about. Prior to surgery, your oral surgeon will review the type of anesthetic to be used, as well as the way you’re likely to feel during and after the operation. This is the time to discuss any concerns you may have about any facet of the operation.
Your comfort during dental implant surgery is important to us. As oral surgeons, we have trained extensively in the use of all methods of pain relief and anesthesia. We always use a local anesthetic to prevent pain during surgery. In addition, we offer sedation options, including nitrous oxide, IV sedation, and, in some cases, general anesthesia, for our patients undergoing dental implant surgery in Honolulu. The result is a comfortable, anxiety-free procedure every time.
Your Trusted Dental Implant Specialists in Honolulu
Call us today at Honolulu Office Phone Number (808) 973-3747 to schedule a consultation to find out if dental implants are the right option for you