Implant Dentistry
Dental implants can replace any or all of your teeth. The implant becomes integrated with the bone and acts like a "root" which will ultimately support a new tooth. Implants can also be used to support and hold in a loose denture. The advantages of implants for patients with dentures are denture stability, increased patient comfort, and confidence. When replacing a single tooth, implants allow us to avoid involving adjacent teeth in a fixed bridge replacement. Implant-supported teeth have actually been shown to last longer than other forms of tooth replacement. Implants represent a longer and more natural solution than dentures, partials, and even fixed bridgework. If you follow a regular routine of dental care and oral hygiene, they should last for many years, particularly if you have an "ideal" case. Independent surveys of implant patients show that they felt the investment was worth every penny and would do it again!
Why Choose DiBona Dental Group?
The DiBona Dental practice has been placing dental implants on the seacoast of New Hampshire since 1976, beginning with Dr. Mark DiBona, who was a pioneer in the field of implant dentistry.
At the DiBona Dental Group, you can get the implant and the crown (or hybrid) all at the same practice, no need to travel to different offices. In many patients, we perform “Same Day Teeth”, where you can walk out with a new set of implant-supported teeth, all while under the care of our nurse anesthesiologists. This process is known as “All-on-X”, “Teeth in a day”, or “Same Day Smile”.
The DiBona Dental Group has extensive training in both the placement and the restoration of dental implants. Dr. Elizabeth DiBona has reached the status of Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, as well as attained Associate Fellow status of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. These titles are achieved by experienced dental surgeons who pass written and oral exams, as well as present numerous implant cases to a panel at the AAID in Chicago. Similarly, Dr. Mark DiBona has attained Diplomate status from the American Board of Oral Implantology/Implant Dentistry and the International College of Oral Implantologists, a Fellowship in the International College of Oral Implantologists, and a Fellowship in the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. Dr. Mark DiBona has placed thousands of dental implants in the past 40 years.
Our office has surgically placed and restored thousands of dental implants. The placement of the dental implant, the tooth that goes on top, and the maintenance of your dental implant are all important factors when choosing a dental practice. Ten, fifteen, or twenty years after your implant is placed, you
may need repairs or parts replaced, and our team is well-versed in many different implant systems, we use USA lab technicians who have decades worth of experience with dental implants as well.
Our Implantologists
Elizabeth DiBona, DMD, is an Implant Diplomate, certified by the American Board of Oral Implantology. She has been surgically placing and restoring dental implants since 2008, and her practice, the DiBona Dental Group, has been placing dental implants since 1976.
Nicholas Koren, DMD, has completed extensive post-doctorate implant training at an Implant Fellowship program at Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine where he received comprehensive training in all aspects of implant dentistry from site preparation and surgical placement to
complex implant restorative treatment.
Kateryna Latypova, DMD, received her certificate in Implantology and Periodontology from Tufts University in 2005 and is a diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology.
What are Dental Implants?
Think of dental implants like an artificial tooth root, made of titanium, that is placed into the jawbone. Dental implants provide a stable foundation for the
replacement of teeth, whether it’s one tooth or all your teeth. Some people need dental implants after losing a tooth due to a large cavity, others might
need them due to gum disease or congenitally missing teeth.
How do Dental Implants Work?
The titanium material of the implant fuses with your jawbone through a process called osseointegration. This is performed in the office, most of the time under local anesthesia (but often with nitrous oxide/laughing gas or IV sedation).
A healing period of about 3-6 months takes place, and your body’s natural bone heals and strengthens around the threads of the implant to stabilize the artificial tooth root, so that a tooth may be placed on top.
Impressions are made (digital or regular) of the implant and sent to our lab, where a dental crown, bridge, or hybrid denture is fabricated and returned to be custom fit to your mouth.
Maintenance protocols are an important part of maintaining dental implant health, and your dental hygienist will review this with you.
Advantages of Dental Implants
- Stability: once the bone matures and heals around the titanium implant,
the artificial tooth provides a stable chewing surface. - Durability: with proper care, dental implants can last longer than most
tooth replacement options, making them a good long-term option for
tooth replacement. - Natural appearance: they look and feel like your natural teeth
- Improved speech: implants can be used to stabilize loose dentures, and
improve the ability to speak. - Bone Health: dental implants help preserve jaw bone, similar to the way
weight lifting is good for your bones. Pressure from chewing on the - implant provides stimulation to the bone and prevents the atrophy of the bone.
- Preserve your natural teeth adjacent to the missing tooth: no need to alter
your healthy teeth to make a traditional bridge.
Additional Information
We believe that implants are the "standard of care" for the replacement of teeth. They are cost-effective and have a better long-term survival rate than many alternative treatments, such as root canals and conventional bridges. For additional information, please visit the American Academy of Implant Dentistry at www.aaid-implant.org or the International College of Oral Implantologists at www.icoi.org.
