Dr. Giorgio Petricca
BSc, MSc, DMD, Dip. Perio. MSC, FRCD(C)
Certified Specialist in Periodontics
Dental Implants in Nanaimo: To Graft or Not to Graft?
If you’re missing one or more teeth, there are potential implications such as compromised esthetics, compromised chewing function, and less support for neighboring teeth. Seeing a Periodontist BEFORE a tooth is extracted may benefit towards minimizing the effects of tooth, bone and gum loss for the tooth to be lost and neighbouring teeth. By coming to the Periodontal & Implant Clinic for dental implants in Nanaimo, Dr. Petricca can provide you with treatment options which best suite your esthetic and functional needs. For more information, please feel free to read the supplementary information we’ve provided or give us a call.
shrinkage of socket as early as 2 months following extraction with resultant concavity
Contour Augmentation results in a convex profile to the overlying soft and underlying hard tissue (like a natural tooth)
Contour Augmentation
This phrase was first described by Professor Daniel Buser (Oral Maxillofacial Surgeon, Berne, Switzerland), and it involves thickening the outer wall of bone (seen facing a patient). The purpose augmentation is to provide stability to the thickness of bone on the face of an implant. Since bone supports the tissue/gum, having stable thickness will prevent or minimize the risk of your gums receding around your implant over time (years after your implant is restored). Augmentation may also involve incorporation of a connective tissue graft (to thicken the gum around the neck of your implant crown), again to create a thickness to better "stand the test of time."
Does it Matter What Type of Implant I Get?
There are literally hundreds of different types of implants available in the market. Larger dental companies commonly buy out smaller ones such that the technology of many dental implant companies remains stagnant as a result. Dr. Petricca happens to use a dental implant brand/company that does all of its own research.
The main difference between different implants is a patented process and which lies in:
- The surface – Some implants are not pure titanium. Titanium, when exposed to the air becomes oxidized and titanium oxide is hydrophobic (water repellant – blood is like water). An implant made without exposure to oxygen is hydrophilic (attracts water/blood). Since every wound starts with formation of a blood clot, this design improves the speed of healing, which may prove beneficial in a compromised site or patient.
- Thread design – Some thread designs have an aggressive pitch such that excessive lateral forces may present to the crest of bone at the shoulder of the implant causing bone loss during healing.
- Connection between the crown and implant – How intimate the two fit together can affect flexure of the crown off the shoulder of the implant. If there is significant flexure, this can create a pumping action of fluid in and out of the implant, which can cause inflammation and in turn bone loss.
Choosing implants vs a bridge
Implants to support dentures
Implants to support teeth
