Is the concept of dental implants a new one?
Interestingly, dental implants have been performed for thousands of years.  Egyptian mummies have been found with gold wire implants in the jawbones.  Pre-Columbian skeletal remains exhibit dental implants made of semi-precious stones.  Recently, a Roman soldier was unearthed in Europe with an iron dental implant in his jawbone.  In the Middle East, implants made of ivory have been discovered in skeletons from the Middle Ages.
Modern implantology began in the United States at the beginning of the 20th century.  However, popularity really grew in the 1980’s with the increased success of the titanium cylinder.  Since then, many brand name implants with minor variations have been approved.

Are there any age limitations for dental implants?
No.  Any person at any age can have dental implants as long as there is enough bone available in which to place the implants.

What is a smile makeover?
A smile makeover is when the appearance of the teeth and gums are cosmetically improved. This will look better and improve health and function also.

What is a Veneer?
Veneers are thin porcelain laminates. Veneers are custom made to bond over the front visible surface of teeth, like a thin contact over your eye. Veneers are made from very strong and aesthetic porcelain.

What’s the difference between conventional dentures and immediate dentures?
Conventional dentures are made when all the teeth are missing and the gums have had time to shrink and remodel. Immediate dentures are inserted immediately after the removal of the remaining teeth. To make this possible, Dr. Bekhit takes measurements and makes the models of the patient’s jaws during a preliminary visit. An advantage of immediate dentures is that the wearer does not have to be without teeth during the healing period. However, bones and gums can shrink over time, especially during the period of healing in the first six months after the removal of teeth. When gums shrink, immediate dentures may require rebasing or relining to fit properly. A conventional denture can then be made once the tissues have healed. Healing may take at least 6-8 weeks.

What is an overdenture?
An overdenture fits over a small number of remaining natural teeth or dental implants. The natural teeth must be prepared to provide stability and support for the denture. An overdenture has more stability and retention than a conventional or immediate denture.

What will dentures feel like?
New dentures may feel awkward at first, until you become accustomed to them. The dentures may feel loose while the muscles of your cheek and tongue learn to keep them in place. It is not unusual to experience minor irritation or soreness. You may find that saliva flow temporarily increases. As your mouth becomes accustomed to the dentures, these problems should diminish.