When selecting the best implant dentist for your smile, there are several factors to consider. Experience, of course, is a major determining factor. Additionally, reviews and bedside manner also have an impact on your choice. Something patients often fail to consider, though, is the technology they use. In general, dentists should possess a passion for their craft and a commitment to expanding their dental knowledge. When new technologies emerge, healthcare providers should adapt to provide the best care currently possible! Using a CBCT machine, while not required by law, is highly encouraged for dental implant placement. Without this innovative technology, your dentist runs the risk of complications and an increased chance of implant failure! Fortunately, the team at Brockley Dental Center is determined to provide the best quality care available and to use a CBCT X-ray for all of our implant cases.
Understanding the CBCT X-Ray
Unlike a traditional X-ray, a CBCT X-ray takes a full, 3D image of your mouth.
CBCT stands for “Cone Beam Computed Tomography”, referring to the cone beam of radiation that captures incredibly detailed images of your jaw. This machine gently spins around your head, taking X-ray images at all angles. Then, after digitally compiling these images, a CBCT forms a digital 3D model of your smile!
By moving the model around, we can easily assess the quality of your jaw and identify any other potential oral health issues. With this image in place, our dentists will determine if you have enough jawbone structure to support a dental implant. However, because Brockley Dental Center uses mini dental implants, patients usually do qualify for implant treatment!
Where conventional implants require ample jawbone for support, mini implants typically secure in minimal bone, reducing the need for additional procedures to rebuild lost jaw structure. In most cases, we use our CBCT X-ray machine to find that patients are eligible for mini-implant procedures.
Planning Your Implant Placement
Once we determine you are a candidate for mini dental implants, your journey to a full smile can begin!
Using the 3D image of your bone, we’re able to plan where each implant will go in your jaw. This planning process is crucial, as it enables us to evenly distribute the pressure of your bite and determine the optimal placement of each titanium post.
Some areas of your bone may be too thin or soft to support a mini implant. In that case, we can place the titanium post in a stronger section of bone, creating a more stable connection! With your treatment plan secured, we’ll begin the minimally invasive mini implant placement process.
The Mini Implant Process
The mini dental implant placement method is quite simple.
Thanks to the intricate imaging capabilities of the CBCT machine, we’re able to plan exactly where to place your implants to provide optimal support for your restoration. With this plan in mind, we’ll schedule your placement appointment.
During this visit, we’ll use a local anesthetic to keep you comfortable. Then, we’ll create a small pilot hole in your gums and jaw, and gently screw the post in place. Instantly upon placement, your implants will begin to stabilize, becoming secure enough to support a temporary restoration that same day! In one appointment, you can visit Brockley Dental Center with missing teeth and leave with a full smile.
Afterwards, you may experience some mild discomfort, which is easily managed with over-the-counter medications. Then, in just a few weeks, your implant will be secure enough to anchor a final crown, bridge, or denture restoration in place!
Book a CBCT Scan at Brockley Dental Center Today!
At Brockley Dental Center, we take pride in delivering the highest quality care available. In doing so, we stay up-to-date with the latest technologies and treatments that benefit patients, including mini dental implants. Using the innovative CBCT machine, we help determine your eligibility for implants and strategically place your titanium posts to provide you with the best results available.
Book a consultation at Brockley Dental Center in Butler, PA, today!
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