Placing dental implants is a two-step process. First, the root form is surgically placed into the jawbone. After it has healed, that root form is then restored with a dental crown or some other type of tooth replacement.
Dr. Robert Thein has expertise in both phases of implant dentistry. He is surgically trained at the Misch Dental Implant Institute, regarded as the leading dental implant surgery training facility in the world. He is also a diplomate of the American Board of Oral Implantology, and a diplomate of the International College of Oral Implantologists.
There is a strong potential for things to go wrong in dental implant treatment. And the scary part is that the problems do not usually become apparent until long after the treatment is completed and the dental implants fail. For more information about this, please see our page on dental implant failure.
Things that Can Go Wrong with Dental Implant Surgery
The source of many problems in dental implant treatment is a breakdown in communication between the surgeon and the restorative dentist. The surgeon does not have sufficient restorative experience to know where to place the implants, so the restorative dentist is then faced with a less than ideal situation to restore. This won’t happen with Dr. Thein. He has the highest level of credentials for both the surgical placement of the implants and restoring them.
Another serious problem can be that the dental implants are placed where they interfere with nerves to the jaw, where they perforate into sinus cavities or other empty spaces, or in places where there is inadequate bone quality or quantity. Again, many of these errors won’t cause any problems for years, but they will lead to eventual failure of the case. Dr. Thein never begins a case without a three-dimensional CT scan that tells him exactly where all the structures are that he needs to avoid and where there is adequate bone to support the implants.
A Successful Dental Implants Case
Here is a photograph of one of Dr. Thein’s many successful dental implants cases. This patient is a singer who lost her teeth due to gum disease. She needed dental implants that would be stable and secure, so that her teeth would not fall out while she was on stage. They needed to be esthetic and functional. Incorrect placement could cause difficulties with singing.
Implant Surgery Shortcuts
Some practices are marketing shortened treatment times. We can also shorten the time between root form placement and placement of the new teeth. But you need an understanding of the possible long-term effects of shortening that healing time. Anytime the implants are restored before they are fully integrated into the bone there is a risk of later failure. Placing a load on the implant before it is completely stabilized will cause it to move slightly, which can affect long-term success.
Once people understand the risks of early loading of the implants, almost all of them will choose to be on the safe side and make sure that there is adequate healing time allowed after the dental implant surgery. Dr. Thein, in looking out for your best interests, will tell you what the long-term consequences will be for you with shortened healing times, so that you can make an informed decision about the amount of risk you are comfortable with.