A dental implant is a prosthetic device placed into the jaw bone. The
sole purpose of a dental implant is to act as an anchor for a dental prosthesis
such as a denture or a crown. The use of a dental implant allows us to replace
a missing tooth or several missing teeth with a stable, retentive prosthesis.
The dental implant must be placed in the bone in a very specific manner
in order to be of optimal value to you, the patient. Implants that are
incorrectly positioned can be useless in terms of supporting a prosthesis or
they can make it difficult to properly fashion the final restoration. If the
bone is damaged during the placement of an implant, the implant may not be
successful and the body will Areject@ it.
In most instances, when an implant is placed, there can be several
consequences of the surgical procedure. A certain degree of swelling and/or
black and blue are relatively normal for any surgical procedure. When surgery
is done, there is always the possibility of a post surgical infection which may
require additional treatment. Infections which do occur in the upper jaw may
involve the sinuses. Infections of the lower jaw may involve the soft tissues
of the floor of the mouth and the neck. Implants placed in the back part of the
lower jaw may cause damage to the nerve that accounts for sensations to the
chin and the lower lip causing either a temporary or permanent numbness.
It is possible for an implant to fracture within the bone. This might
necessitate removal of the implant and further damage could occur. The
prosthetic connection (the attachment of the false teeth to the implant) can
also fracture, but this would only necessitate replacement of prosthetic parts
and would not damage the implant.
Over the past Eleven years, the implant system used in this office has
proven to be safe and effective. The possible conditions mentioned above are
there to inform you of what could potentially happen when things go wrong.
Please feel free to ask any questions pertaining to your treatment and then
sign and date the bottom of this form so it may be included in your records.
Thank you....
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