(updated October 2024) Most of the time my preference is for immediate extraction, implant and bone grafting simultaneously. In this case it is best to slowly stage each out into separate procedures with some time in between. This is because the bone loss is so bad it is much more predictable for the bone to … Read more
(updated October 2024) About 30% of what I do is actually remove and replace failing implants. There are a couple of different ways implants can be removed: can the whole implant be removed out of the bone? And, can the crown from an implant be removed? There’s a lot of work that goes into removing … Read more
(updated January 2024) My patient called me to ask what is that white thing there? In other words…is it normal that my extraction bone graft membrane (white) is showing? An extraction socket bone graft for dental implants that has a non-dissolvable membrane should look like this while it is healing. This procedure is done … Read more
A failing root canal caused this. The root canal was leaking and not done so well to begin with. This is a lower second molar #18. The opposite side would be tooth #31. This is typically the last molar in the mouth on the bottom jaw. Diagnosis: #18 molar pain when biting, crown loose, … Read more
Pressure from a removable temporary can cause “dehiscence” which is the incision line opening in the bone graft becoming exposed…YIKES!! This is the worst thing that can happen to any type of bone graft whether it be a sinus lift bone graft, block bone graft, GBR with membrane, socket extraction preservation graft. Types of fixed … Read more
Lower front teeth can be complex implants. Many dentists only focus on the upper front implants and there is not much talked about lower incisor immediate implants. They are usually complicated because the space is very tight. Natural lower teeth are very skinny and oftentimes people have crowding and or periodontal gum disease of these … Read more
This is a great example of a difficult center front tooth dental implant . The gum is thin and it is very scalloped. I restored this case with a cemented (rather than screw retained) custom zirconia abutment and porcelain crown. The white zirconia underneath the gum line prevents the gray show through that many front … Read more
Ramsey Amin DDS I don’t have complications too often but this is one worth sharing. I did a very large block bone graft in the front of the mouth for dental implants. The bone graft was both vertical and horizontal and gained a lot of volume. The block bone graft was held in by screws … Read more
(updated January 2024) My last molar was extracted… Do I need a dental implant? I have received this comment/question so many times that I decided to write a quick post about it! Missing Lower Second Molar –No bite support on Upper Molar after lower was lost Last Molars Are Not Always Needed To be clear, … Read more
It is not every day I see a case like this. This patient is going to lose her lower first molar which is the one that is second from the back typically if you are missing your wisdom teeth. It is the most common tooth to be pulled mostly because it has been in your … Read more
Can you take out your wisdom teeth and place an implant at the same time? I often hear this question. Yes!!! This is a common procedure for a younger patient who has a baby tooth well into their 20s. Oftentimes baby teeth cannot be saved and need to be replaced with a dental implant since … Read more
In this short, but highly informative video, I review some of the common truths and misconceptions about antibiotics in relationship to tooth infections, dental implants and bone grafting. Are Antibiotics Required For Implants? Use of antibiotics should be judicious and carefully thought out. Just because you have an “infection” in your tooth, it does not … Read more
Dental implants, especially in the front of the mouth, need to be placed with a high degree of accuracy. When an implant is placed too shallow or worse yet too deep in the front of the mouth it creates a cosmetic failure– a long tooth and sometimes black triangles. This is especially true on a … Read more
A bone graft for immediate single implants is often needed. Most immediate implants are for single rooted teeth like your front and middle back teeth (premolars.) In my Burbank dental implant practice, this type of bone graft is common. Most implants are round in shape. Most extraction sockets are oval or rectangular if they are … Read more
If you have a root canal and now need a dental implant there are some very important issues to be aware of. This is especially important if the tooth to be extracted is in the upper front area. It will have consequences on the final result and cosmetic appearance of the implant. A previous failed root … Read more
Upper Molar Implant Example Here is a nice basic case to follow from beginning to end. This man’s upper molars on one side were in bad shape: The teeth were extracted and replaced with three dental implants in my office in Burbank. He also had a deep cleaning. The color denotes the size of the implants. … Read more
Teeth are removed for several reasons, including periodontal (gum) disease, extreme decay, and for orthodontic reasons. Once a tooth is removed, the shape of the ridge (i.e., the supporting bone and gum in which the tooth was situated and retained) changes. If there has been extensive bone loss, or if the tooth needed to be … Read more
Orthodontic Dental Implants??? Yes you read that right…temporary dental implants to make braces go faster and easier! They are called “Temporary Anchorage Devices” or “TADS.” They are essentially tiny screws that are placed very shallow on the outside part of the jaw in between your teeth. Rubber bands or wires are attached to. TADS can … Read more
The absolute worst thing you can do is wait to pull a bad tooth. Many times a really bad tooth is painful, but then it gets better! You know and have been told that it needs to be extracted but you decide to wait because the pain is gone…for now. In the old days, "keep … Read more
The time to consider having a dental implant is before it is ever extracted. As soon as the tooth is extracted the bone will begin to shrink. You can not stop this from happening. For some it happens faster than others, but for most it only takes a couple of months to lose a lot … Read more
I treat many patients who take blood thinners on a regular basis. The concern with taking a blood thinner during implant treatment is continued bleeding. The most common blood thinners are Aspirin, Warfarin (Coumadin), and Plavix. These blood thinners are taken for a variety of cardiovascular reasons. Coumadin and Plavix are the stronger medications. Aspirin … Read more