Not All Teeth Need To Be Removed. Full Upper Implants, Keep Lower But Add Molars (A Video by Ramsey Amin DDS)

Full Upper Implants with Lower Molar Dental Implants X-ray

I want to walk you through a specific patient case to clear up some confusion about dental implant treatment planning. Some wonder if all teeth need to be removed. Others often ask what guides the decision to remove teeth and place implants. This case highlights a tailored, patient-focused approach. Patient Case: 70-Year-Old, Missing Molars and … Read more

I Can’t Get Under My Full Implant Bridge To Clean

Video transcript if you prefer to read: BUT THERE IS A FUNNY PART WHERE I STRUGGLE TO FLOSS MYSELF IN THE VIDEO! 🤣 Today’s topic is one I hear about all the time: “I can’t get under my (full implant) bridge to clean it.” This applies to both dental implant bridges and regular bridges. So, … Read more

“The Terminal Dentition”: When All Teeth Need To Be Extracted For Full Mouth Implants

3D x-ray showing patient with zygomatic implants

A patient might walk into my office with what I call a “terminal dentition” case. In this situation, all teeth need to be extracted for full mouth implants. Saving the teeth would not be a practical option in many situations. Sometimes the number of bad teeth outnumber the “good teeth.” Sometimes only the upper or … Read more

Fake Pink Gum Vs No Gums on Full Dental Implants

Dental implant bridge with pink gums and without pink gums

There is so much misinformation about having fake dental implants pink ceramic gums or having dental implants with no gums on a dental implant full arch bridge… AKA “all on 4″ /”all on 6” or “3 on 6” This video will provide a lot of information for you to understand the difference between the two. … Read more

Full Mouth Dental Implants for Seniors: My Mom/Dad Needs Dental Implants

Mom Dad Need Dental Implants

(updated October 2024) I love my parents. They made me who I am. My Mom and Dad mean the WORLD to me. They are seniors. If my parents needed (full mouth or full arch) dental implants I would want to be 100% certain that they would be treated with the best team and at the … Read more

Slow and Staged Dental Implants

Digital implant model

(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

What Dental Implants are the Best? (Video & Text)

What dental implants are best?

(updated October 2024) I’m often asked, “What dental implants are the best?” and frankly it’s a simple, yet complicated answer. The easy answer is that there isn’t one best dental implant. But there’s much more to it. There are hundreds of implant manufacturers. Yet, it’s not so much about the screw as it is about … Read more

How Do Dental Implants Work? (video & text)

how do dental implants work

(updated October 2024) Dental implants are artificial tooth roots. They usually look like screws and they go into the jaw bone on the upper or lower or as high as the cheekbone. Essentially they are artificial roots to anchor a missing tooth or a section of teeth or all of your teeth.  Once implanted, they … Read more

Will Dental Implants Cure Gum Disease? (Video & Text)

Will Dental Implants Cure Gum Disease - Video

(updated October 2024) Gum disease is the process where you lose bone and gum around your teeth. It’s caused by an infection known as periodontitis. What that means is your teeth will eventually loosen up and fall out; it can be one tooth, two teeth, or possibly all of your teeth falling out. In this … Read more

What Will My Dental Implant Teeth Look Like The Next Day?

Before/after dental implants

(updated October 2024) What does a dental implant look like the next day? What will you look like the next day after dental implant surgery? Will you be really swollen? Are the temporary teeth nice? That depends.   Allow me to take you through a case example of full mouth dental implants (All on 4, … Read more

Can Dental Implants be Removed? (Video & Text)

Can dental implants be removed or replaced?

(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

Why Do Dental Implants Fail? (video and text)

Why do dental implants fail? Video

(updated January 2025) About 30% of my practice is treating failing implants, removing them, rescuing them. Let’s talk about why, and why did your implant fail or why do they hurt?  There is no one reason why dental implants fail. Reasons can range from anatomical – not enough bone or gums – to problems with … Read more

Here’s Why You Have a Runny Nose After a Dental Implant

HERE’S WHY YOU HAVE A RUNNY NOSE AFTER A DENTAL IMPLANT

(updated January 2025) Recently a patient asked, “Why did I get a runny nose after my dental implant?” When you have an implant right in the front, the central incisor, lateral incisor teeth, those four teeth in the front, they’re close to the base of your nose. So, sometimes after having a dental implant in … Read more

Antibiotics for a Tooth Infection, Dental Implant, Bone Graft

Ramsey Amin video Antibiotics for a Tooth Infection, Dental Implant, Bone Graft… Do I Need Them? 

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

Braces, Orthodontics and Front Teeth Missing From Birth…What You Need To Know Before Having A Dental Implant

Ramsey Amin video Braces, Orthodontics and Front Teeth Missing From Birth...What You Need To Know Before Having A Dental Implant

In this video I discuss the common things that I see with patients wanting front teeth dental implants when they have had braces at the same time. Unfortunately the all too common story: there is either too much room or too little room to place dental implants for teeth that are commonly missing from birth.  … Read more

Dental Implant is Too Deep, Tooth Looks Long

Dental Implant is Too Deep, Tooth Looks Long

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

Full Mouth Dental Implant Reconstruction -Audio Explanation With Burbank’s Ramsey Amin, DDS

Full mouth dental implants reconstruction

Full mouth dentistry with dental implants and crowns can get very complex.  I treated this patient in my Burbank office with nine dental implants and a total of more than 20 crowns. The full mouth dental reconstruction involved the upper and lower teeth and opening the bite to be taller. The three minute audio recording … Read more

Lifting, Moving Over-Denture…Leading Burbank Dental Implant Dentist Reviews Reasons Why. (3 min Video)

Dr Ramsey Amin of Burbank Dental Implants: Ramsey Amin DDS

Dentures lift and move and dental implant overdentures can too!  In this video shot in my Burbank office, I review some of the common problems that can lead to a denture supported with dental implants to lift up when you chew.  Your anatomy can also contribute to a denture that moves. Careful planning and an understanding of your unique … Read more

What is Sinus Expansion? Do I Need a Sinus Lift? Sinus is Big and Close…Burbank Dental Implant Expert Reviews

3D scan of sinus

Your sinuses are big hollow holes above your upper teeth.  The roots of your upper back teeth are really close to your sinus. In order to have dental implants in that area, sometimes a sinus lift bone graft is necessary to treat the expanded sinus.  Whether you live in Burbank ,Glendale or Los Angeles, all … Read more

11 Considerations for Full Porcelain Dental Implant Crown Materials –Review by Burbank’s Ramsey Amin, DDS

Porcelain dental implant crown

Full porcelain dental implant crowns (also referred to as porcelain teeth implants by some people) can be made of many materials.  All porcelain dental implant crowns can be zirconia, feldspathic, leucite, alumina, lithium disilicate (E.max) or several other types. Most of my Burbank patients usually tell me they thought there was only one type of … Read more

Thin Receding Gums And Dental Implants – What’s Important? Video by Ramsey Amin, DDS

After picture of gum graft on canine tooth #11

Thin gums area major cause of gum recession and can cause problems with dental implants too.  You are genetically given the thickness of your gums.  When it comes to dental implants…the thicker the gums the better.  This is also true for natural teeth.  This video explains some of the important issues. When someone has receding … Read more

Snap In Dentures on Dental Implants – Burbank Dental Implant Specialist

Lower implants for snap on dentures

Snap in dentures is a term some patients use when they come to see me for dental implant dentures in Burbank.  There is a product called the "snap on smile" that is not related to implant dentistry. Snap in dentures are dental implant overdentures. That means they go over dental implants.  The more implants you have … Read more

The “Void” Bone Graft for Immediate Single Implants – American Board Diplomate Explains

pre-molar-block-bone-graft-Ramsey-Amin-DDS-4-150x150

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

Burbank Implant Dentist Explains Titanium Mesh Bone Grafting for Dental Implants

Missing lateral upper teeth

Titanium mesh is one of many techniques I use in my Burbank dental implant practice to rebuild (graft) lost bone.  Titanium mesh is sometimes referred to as “ti-mesh.” It looks like a screen as shown in this picture. It acts as a barrier and physical support of the gums over the bone graft. I place … Read more

I Don’t Have Enough Bone For Dental Implants

Panoramic xray of no teeth

The main qualifier for having dental implants is having enough bone.  If you don’t have enough bone for dental implants, the bone can be rebuilt or I can use remotely placed implants such as pterygoid implants and zygomatic implants.  If you don’t have enough gum, that can be added back (with a gum graft), too. … Read more

Rationale and Costs –Immediate Same Day Extraction and Back Tooth Molar Implant vs.Waiting

Xray of back molar dental implant

Back molar teeth can have immediate implants!  This means that the same day a molar is extracted, an implant can be put in the socket.  When it is possible, this saves you money by avoiding the cost of a second procedure or bone graft.  Besides cost, it also saves you time because you don’t have to “extract, then let it heal for 2-4 months.”  You want your tooth as soon as possible!

In order to do an immediate implant for a back molar tooth a large, wide diameter implant must be used.

Super Wide Diameter Implants (6.0mm and larger)
-reduces or eliminates the need for bone grafting in back tooth extraction sites
-enables proper emergence contour of the final crown  Ramsey Amin Wide immediate dental implant

-reduces stress delivered to the implant-bone interface as well as throughout the rest of the implant

-Ideal for “rescuing” teeth implants where smaller-diameter implants have failed

Less invasive
-Shorter treatment time
-Prevents bone shrinkage.

-Following an extraction, bone width decreases 25%-40% in the first year!

Considerations
-Size of tooth being replaced.  The average measurements of back teeth indicate use of a 7.0mm implant. Tooth size varies by type of tooth as well as your genetics

-Nerve position is critical

Increased initial stability (tightness when first placed)
-When the diameter of the root is less than that of the implant, the resulting primary stability is greater. This is important for the

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Implant Bridges – Upper Back Teeth Case Example

Missing upper and lower molars

Many people lose all of their back teeth on the upper or the lower jaw. Implant fixed bridges can replace your back teeth. My patient had broken the teeth on her upper bridge.  When that happens, the whole bridge fails and the teeth need to be extracted. The other side had no teeth at all. … Read more

Immediate Dental Implant Video by Burbank’s Best Dentist 2010

Immediate Dental Implants

Immediate dental implants are amazing.  Your tooth can be replaced in about an hour. This patient found me from the Burbank Leader Newspaper Best of Burbank issue (Best Dentist). He had a Maryland bridge for his front tooth that kept falling out.  It was also very unattractive to him. Using intravenous sedation, a dental implant … Read more

Pockets Around Dental Implants

periodontal disease

Dental implants have “pockets” around them just like our teeth do.  Healthy pockets around teeth are 2-3 millimeters while implants have pockets that can be healthy up to 6mm. Warning signs of deep pockets and gum disease include the following: Red, swollen or tender gums or other pain in your mouth Bleeding while brushing, flossing, … Read more

Broken Tooth – Slanted Dental Implant Crown Fixed

Broken upper premolar

The first picture tells the whole story.  My patient came to see me in Burbank and she said "I have loose crown and I hope it is savable."  She had another tooth break about a year earlier. What you are looking at is a broken tooth.  Actually the root is broken. So it wasn't the … Read more

Bone Grafts…How Long Do Bone Grafts Take to Heal? (video & text)

Bone grafts video by Dr. Ramsey Amin DDS

(updated July 2024) Some bone grafts for dental implants take longer to heal than others. In this video, I cover several factors that determine how long your bone graft takes to heal.  Remember that many times the bone grafts and dental implants can be done simultaneously. (Related topic –click here)          Factors affecting … Read more

Mandibular Tori Used as Bone Graft Source For Dental Implants

Missing molar on lower arch

Mandibular tori (bone bumps next to your tongue) can sometimes be used as bone graft source for dental implants. The images in this post are of a patient I recently treated in Burbank. She is missing one of her first molar teeth and the bone has shrunk because it has been a long time since … Read more

Apicoectomy Failure – Burbank Dental Implants Success Video Testimonial

Center front dental implant

Apicoectomy root canal procedures can and do fail leaving a bone defect. This bone defect can become problematic when having a dental implant. Even though a root canal and an apicoectomy can “save” a tooth, sometimes they are still lost.  My patient came to my dental implant office in Burbank after realizing that her front tooth could not … Read more

Types of Tooth Implants – Burbank Expert Explains the Differences

different size of implants

There are many (about 175) manufacturers of dental implants.  The good thing is that most of the implants available nowadays are of good quality. That being said, some are much better than others though. Implants vary in many respects.  Most root form implants are shaped like screws.  Some are tapered and some are straight. Some … Read more

How Do You Know If Your Dentist is Really Good?

Image of Dr. Amin working on a patient

How do you know if your dentist is really good? There is an easy way to know! Does your dentist wear these? Most good dentists, wear a head light and loupes to enhance their vision. Although my vision is 20/20 without glasses, I could not practice dental implant dentistry in Burbank with the same precision without magnification and … Read more

Burbank Dental Implants Blog Patient Video Testimonial – Ramsey Amin DDS

Dr. Ramsey Amin DDS patient testimonial

Michael had a bad situation with his teeth when he came to see me in Burbank.  He had broken a bridge on two weak teeth that had root canals. He was considering immediate dental implants. Part of his bridge covered all the way to the front of the mouth.  It was a cosmetic emergency because he … Read more

3 Myths About Tooth Implants -Pain, Expense and Time – Burbank Dentist Explains

dental implants Burbank CA

Dental tooth implants have been in use for more than 40 years!  Even though they are quite common, there are three “myths” that I hear potential patients describe all the time. 1. Dental implants are painful! 2. Dental Implants are expensive! 3. Dental implants take a long time! 1. Dental implants are painful! FALSE! In my more … Read more

Ramsey Amin, DDS – Sinus Lift Bone Graft Case Example For One Dental Implant

xray of missing upper molar

This is a very unique case where a large sinus bone graft had to be performed for just one dental implant. This example below was done at my office in Burbank. The sinus was so expanded from bone loss that an “internal sinus bone graft” would not work.  There was not enough pre-existing bone to do … Read more

Burbank Expert Dentist Explains -Dental Implant Impression Molding Considerations

Dental implant impression

In order to make even one dental implant tooth or a whole mouth full of implants, an impression or “mold” must be made. Gagging is sometimes an issue for some. I have developed many techniques over the last decade to eliminate and/or greatly reduce gagging. Some techniques use a “triple impression tray,” specially timed flavoring, … Read more

Ramsey Amin DDS – 9 Dental Implants for Back Teeth 2-minute Video Example

dental implants video by Dr. Ramsey Amin DDS

This is a recent case that I finished a few days ago. This patient really had neglected their teeth and was ready for a new start! Nine dental implants, bone widening and sinus lift bone grafts were performed in my office in Burbank under IV sedation. All teeth were made as individual crowns (no connected bridges!) … Read more

Burbank Dental Implants – Correcting a Collapsing Bite Problem

Dental implants on lower jaw

It is a fact that if you just lose even one tooth, two bad things will definitely happen: 1.    Your other teeth will move 2.    Your bone in the area of the missing teeth will shrink (Bone loss -Atrophy) Here is an example: The line depicts the straight line where all the teeth should be relatively even … Read more

Burbank Dental Implant Specialist Case Example – Lower Front Tooth With Temporary on Abutment

Single lower lateral implant with crown

This 24 year-old female came to see me at my Burbank office.  She already had an implant, a custom abutment and a temporary crown on her lower front tooth. She was ready to be fitted with the real crown. The temporary on the dental implant custom abutment did not look very good at all.  Neither … Read more

Burbank Sinus Lift Bone Graft for Dental Implants Case Example -Ramsey Amin,DDS

Xray of sinus lift bone graft for dental implants

This is a fantastic sinus lift bone graft for dental implants case that I completed yesterday in my Burbank private practice. This patient was missing three teeth in the upper right area. These are the three main teeth that allow you to chew. Because the teeth were missing for so long, the bone shrank, and … Read more

Burbank Implant Dentist -Video Series 2 of 9 – Replacement of Upper Lateral Teeth

Missing lateral teeth

Filmed in Burbank -Part 2 of 9. This is the second of a nine-part series that specifically discusses dental implant replacement of “specific” teeth. Every tooth in your mouth is very unique! The upper lateral incisor natural teeth are the small, side teeth just next to your two big front center teeth.   This tooth implant has so many details … Read more

Permanent Dentures and Teeth – Is it Possible With Dental Implants?

You may hear a radio ad that talks about “permanent” teeth or “permanent” dentures. Permanent is a very strong word and may not be completely true. It may be a marketing tactic only. A major implant manufacturer (Nobel BioCare) even says it! Dental implants are fantastic, and they are the closest thing to being “permanent.”  … Read more

Abutments -Burbank Dental Implants Expert -Dr. Ramsey Amin – Case Follow up

Lower molar dental implants

Here is some follow up pictures to this case posted a few months ago: In my office in Burbank, the final abutments were placed on these four implants that I placed.  The process takes me about 45 minutes to complete. Impressions can be made, and teeth fabricated directly on the dental implant abutments.  These are … Read more

Burbank Implant Dentist -Video Series 1 of 9 – Replacement of Upper Center Teeth

Filmed in Burbank -Part 1 of 9. This is the first of a nine-part series that specifically discusses dental implant replacement of specific teeth. Every tooth in your mouth is very unique! The upper central incisor natural teeth are the big, center teeth that dominate the smile.  Replacing just one of these teeth is the … Read more

What To Do if Your Teeth Are Knocked Out

what to do if your teeth are knocked out

Here is a great overview featuring a dental collegue of mine:

Chicago Blackhawks star Duncan Keith’s dental misfortune on the ice is an occupational hazard for hockey players, but teeth also can be lost in accidents, sports mishaps and falls that can happen to anyone. So what should you do when one or more of your teeth are suddenly knocked out?

The obvious advice is get to a dentist right away, but the type of injury suffered will influence how the damaged teeth can be treated, according to Joseph Orrico, DDS, president-elect of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID), www.aaid.com, who practices in Elmwood Park, Ill. and played semi-pro hockey.

“Sometimes teeth are completely knocked out — roots and all, so in those cases place the tooth or teeth in a container of cold milk and get to a dentist within thirty minutes for a reinsertion procedure,” said Orrico. “There’s a short window of opportunity in which the remaining living tissue on the root surface can be kept alive. Milk has a neutral ph balance and is fortified

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Burbank Dental Implant Dentist Discusses Best Angle of Surgical Dental Implant Placement

Center front dental implant with crown

As I have mentioned many times before, the precise, best placement angle of your implant is the most critical factor in having dental implants. It makes all the difference between a beautiful tooth that can’t even be noticed from your other teeth, compared to a tooth that obviously is fake and malformed. Here is an example of … Read more

3 Ways To Avoid a Sinus Lift Bone Graft for Dental Implants – Burbank Dentist Explains

how to avoid a sinus lift bone graph

Streamlining my patient’s dental implants by reducing time, number of visits and cost are important to me. The sinus lift bone graft is an extremely common procedure that I do in my office.  In fact, I am one of the few in the world to be trained by the inventor of this procedure.  Hilt Tatum … Read more

15 Dental Implants by Ramsey Amin, DDS -Burbank, Patient Video Testimonial

Smile of bad and missing teeth

Frank is a great patient that I have known for many years.  He had the misfortune of having severe gum disease and decay that required the eventual removal of all of his teeth. His passion is playing the saxophone which he said you really need good teeth to play well. Listen to his experience.  He decided … Read more

Bone Widening Graft of Lower Back Jaw – Picture Series – Dr. Ramsey Amin

Missing teeth on lower arch

This is a great example of a procedure that I do VERY routinely in my office in Burbank, California. You can learn more about the process here: (Bone expansion of the lower jaw) Bone Widening/Expansion This man would like to have implants in the back of his lower jaw, but his bone is far too skinny. … Read more

Dental Implants With Just One Surgery? – Expert Dentist, Dr. Ramsey Amin Explains

xray of two dental implants

Traditionally most dental implants were placed using a two stage surgical technique.  That means you would have two surgeries for just one implant! The first surgery would be to place the actual implant in the bone.  At that time the dental implant would be covered by the gum so it is not visible.  That is … Read more

Does a Sinus Lift Bone Graft For Dental Implants Affect Breathing?

Does a sinus lift bone graft for dental implants affect breathing?  A patient asked me this today.  She does not have enough bone in her upper molar area so she needs me to rebuild the bone.  That is the purpose of this procedure.  It allows you to have dental implants for upper back teeth, if the … Read more

Zinc Poisoning from Denture Adhesive? Burbank Dental Implant Dentist Review

This is very new information that is yet another reason to have dental implants rather than using messy pastes and liners to hold in loose dentures. Zinc is a component used to make denture adhesive.  When you use excessive denture adhesive paste, you ingest zinc. Excessive zinc intake may cause problems in the blood and … Read more

Does Insurance Cover Dental Implants? – Burbank Implant Dentist Advice

Usually not. It is really unfortunate that dental insurance usually does not cover this very common procedure. What most patients don’t know is that dental insurance has a “cap” or “ceiling” of money (benefit) on a yearly basis.  Unlike medical insurance, most dental insurances max out at $1500 per year!  That means anything above that … Read more

Root Canal Apicoectomy Failure – Relation to Dental Implants (Ramsey Amin DDS – Burbank, California)

dental implants xray by Burbank Dental Implants: Ramsey Amin DDS

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 Dental Implants to Replace Missing Teeth – Case Study -Dr. Amin, Burbank

Upper molar implants with crowns

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

Unusual Broken Dental Implant Corrected By Dr. Ramsey Amin in Burbank

Xray of two dental implants

Tom had a strange situation.  He had two implants placed by another dentist in the 90's.  The problem was that the two dental implants were too far from the adjacent tooth. This caused a pocket to form and he was always catching food there.  Worse yet, the pressure from the bite on the area that … Read more

Dental CT Scans and Bone Width For Implants – Burbank Implant Expert Explains

3D image of a dental implant placement

There’s a good chance I will need to obtain one or more x-rays of your jaw, teeth or facial skeleton at some point during the diagnostic evaluation (or workup) of your bone loss or missing teeth areas. 3D Cone-Beam CT scans allow me to view  bone in a very special way.  What most people don’t know is that … Read more

Dental Implant…Can’t Get Numb? Dr. Amin in Burbank Explains

sedation dentistry Burbank CA

Are you unable to get numb? Are you terrified of having a dental implant? Does Novocaine just not work? Sedation can help!!! Over the last few years, I have noticed in my practice an increase in patients that have this difficulty. It is not uncommon for this to develop later in life. When sedated, these … Read more

Burbank Dental Implant Update – Photo Series Shows an Implant Fusing to the Upper Jawbone

Xray of center front dental implant

This is a great visual example of an implant fusing or “osseointegrating” to the jaw.  You can easily see the difference. This lovely elderly woman came to see me with a tooth that broke down to the gum. In one appointment. I extract the remaining root and placed an immediate dental implant into the socket … Read more

The Process of Having a Dental Implant – Video by Leading Burbank Dental Implant Dentist

The process of having a dental implant is very unique for each situation. This video, that I made in my office in Burbank, will help you understand the basics of what is involved. It explains how the procedure is done and sequenced. A dental implant can be completed in as short as one single appointment … Read more

The Ovate Pontic – Ramsey Amin DDS of Burbank Explains This Dental Implant Bridge Detail

Bad dental bridge

When a tooth is lost through decay, trauma, or periodontal disease, the best way to replace it today is with a dental implant. If three to four front teeth are missing, two dental implants and a bridge may be the best option for cosmetic reasons so that the teeth look real. Most conventional bridges use … Read more

Fixed Dental Implant Crown and Bridge Materials Options: An Overview By Burbank Dental Implant Expert, Ramsey Amin, DDS

This post is intended toward dental implant crown and bridge restorations that stay in the mouth and are not removable.  Denture implants called overdentures are not “fixed”, they must be removed daily. All materials have advantages and disadvantages.  The following is a summary of the materials that can be used.

Dental Implant Restorations:  Crowns and Bridges
There are basically four options that I use:

 Full Cast Gold (High Noble Metal) Made of a gold alloy, full cast gold is the longest lasting of any of the laboratory-processed materials. The alloy consists of gold, silver, palladium, and sometimes zinc, copper, and platinum. Although it is a very strong material, the yellow color makes it not as esthetically pleasing as other options.

 Full Cast Noble Metal Similar in properties and qualities to full cast gold, this material contains mostly palladium plus silver, gold, and other trace metals.  Full cast noble material is more silver in color than a full noble metal.

 PFM -Porcelain Fused to Gold (High Noble or Noble Alloy Metal) This material is very esthetic and can last 5 to 20 years. The gold substructure is covered with porcelain, which can wear opposing teeth or fracture under forceful biting or grinding. The porcelain can be applied to just the surface of the crown facing on cheek.  The result will not be as esthetic, but will last longer. A night-guard may be recommended for protection.

 All Ceramic or All Porcelain (Zirconia) This is the newest technology in laboratory-processed restorations and is considered very esthetic.  They look very real. No metal is used in the process, and therefore no metal will ever be visible. It is excellent for restoration of front and back teeth. The same cautions exist as with any porcelain or ceramic material: it can wear opposing natural enamel, and a night – guard may be recommended for protection from bruxing or grinding.  Some processes in fabrication of the all ceramic or porcelain crown are actually controlled by a computer!

All the above take at least two appointments to finish.

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Tony H. – Dental Implants and SInus Lift – The Patient Perspective

Panoramic xray of missing upper back molars

Tony is a patient that referred to me by another dentist in Burbank.  He was missing three back teeth and wanted to replace them.  He had a regular bridge that failed and said it had a bad smell too. Here is Tony on video sharing his experience.  The photos and x-rays of his dental implants are shown … Read more

Why Even Have Missing Teeth Replaced? – Dental Implants, Etc…

Collapsed-bite-need-for-dental-implants

Do I need all of my teeth? 2021 UPDATE TO THIS POST –MUST WATCH SHORT VIDEO Do I really need full mouth implants (full arch dental implants) or just a single implant? What should your missing teeth be replaced? Well, your mouth, jaw, and body developed together over millions of years. They are designed to … Read more

Keeping a Space Between Front Teeth –Bridge vs. Dental Implants

Gap between upper center front teeth

Many patients I have met over the years in my Burbank, California office have spaces or “gaps” between their front teeth that they like and WANT to keep.  Madonna and David Letterman have a space between their front center teeth.  It is part of their character and I doubt they would want to close it … Read more

PRP – For Accelerated Healing Of Dental Implant Procedures

Single lower lateral implant with crown

This is a great report on the use of PRP (Platelet-rich plasma) for dental implants and bone grafting.  The author referenced is an expert on the topic.  He has the same credentials in implant dentistry as I do, which is the highest achievable.  We both carry the prestigious title: Diplomate of the American Board of Oral Implantology /Implant Dentistry.

I also use PRP in my office and have had similar great sucess. I especially like the part about how it was used by an NFL team! Read this post to learn more about PRP.

SOURCE American Academy of Implant Dentistry

An exciting treatment gaining acceptance in orthopedics and sports medicine, called platelet-rich plasma therapy (PRP), is showing strong potential for accelerated healing of dental implant procedures, according to a prominent dental researcher and editor of the Journal of Oral Implantology.

James Rutkowski, DMD, PhD, reported at the recent annual scientific meeting of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry that platelet-rich plasma therapy can accelerate bone and tissue growth and wound healing and help assure long-term success of dental implant placements.

"What could be better than using the body's own regenerative powers to grow bone and soft tissue safely and quickly? For dental implant procedures, PRP treatments can jump start bone growth and implant adherence in just two weeks, which cuts down the time between implant placement and affixing the permanent crown," said Rutkowski.

Platelet-rich plasma is obtained from a small sample of the patient's own blood. It is centrifuged to separate platelet growth factors from red blood cells. The concentration of platelets triggers rapid growth of new bone and soft tissue. "There is very little risk because we are accelerating the natural process in which the body heals itself," said Rutkowski. "PRP speeds up the healing process at the cellular level, and there is virtually no risk for allergic reaction or rejection because we use the patient's own blood."

Rutkowski noted that some orthopedic physicians have been using PRP with success for painful and hard to treat injuries like tennis elbow, tendonitis and ligament damage. An avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan, Rutkowski couldn't resist mentioning that PRP was used in 2009 pre-game Super Bowl treatment for two Steeler players (Heinz Ward and Troy Polamalo), and both were instrumental in the team winning its 6th Super Bowl.

For dental surgery applications, Rutkowski explained that PRP is mixed as a gel

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Video Testimonial -Dental Implant – Chris F.

Xray of single dental implant

Chris had a very unique situation.  He had an unusual dental implant placed 10 years ago that needed to be replaced. A sinus bone graft was necessary in order for me to not penetrate the sinus that sits above the upper back teeth  Here was his situation in pictures.  The original implant had lost almost all of … Read more

Dr. Oz Reveals The Devastating Consequences of Teeth Grinding

Flattened down teeth

Dr. Oz reveals the devastating consequences of teeth grinding and what you can do to prevent it's costly effects. Grinding also severely compromises dental implants by leading to fractured crowns, broken implant overdentures and worse yet…bone loss around your implants. This would happen without you even knowing it. Here is a patient of mine from … Read more

4-Tooth Bridge Failure – Dental Implant Bridge Replacement

Xray of dental implant bridge

A dental bridge is a fixed (non-removable) appliance and is an older way to replace missing teeth.  There are several types of bridges. The “traditional bridge” is the most popular type and is usually made of porcelain fused to metal.  This type of bridge consists to two crowns that go over two anchoring teeth and … Read more

Tunnel Bone Grafting for Dental Implants

Have you ever heard of laparoscopic surgery? Tunnel bone grafting for dental implants has a similar concept.

Rather than opening a large incision to rebuild bone, a tiny incision is made in an area far from the graft.  This is called remote access.

A tunnel bone graft is most commonly done to make the jaw wider if you have missing lower back teeth.  It does not make bone taller.

A small tunnel is made and bone grafting materials are added through that tunnel.  There are very few stitches since the incision is so tiny.  Pain is also reduced with this technique.

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Front Tooth Bone Loss and Dental Implant Replacement

Smile picture

These x-rays tell the story: Her original two front teeth were in bad shape and had severe bone loss.  They were even loose! Both center front teeth were extracted and a bone graft was done.  The teeth were replaced with dental implants.   I was able to rebuild the lost bone.  She was told by her … Read more

PRP vs. BMP (Blood Growth Factors) for Dental Implant Bone Grafts

Xray of upper dental implant

If you need a bone graft for dental implants, technology from your own body can help. There are a lot of "additives" that can be added to your bone graft. Some of these additives are scientifically studied and some are just gimmicks. Some may cost you an exorbitant amount of money such as recombinant human … Read more

10 Things You Should Know About Dental Implants

Xray of two dental implants

Dental implants have been around since the mid 1960's. A dental implant fuses to your jawbone through a process called osseointegration. Dental implants preserve bone mass and prevent bone loss  Most dental implants are made of titanium. Dental implants have special surface textures to allow them to heal. Dental implants are not painful. Some dental … Read more

Broken Tooth Replaced With Immediate Dental Implant -X-ray Series

Xray of broken root canaled tooth

Here is a really interesting case on a patient of mine from Burbank, California. His tooth root canal cracked and was not savable.  It is not often you see a tooth that just splits in half like this image below!  A single dental implant was placed on the same day I extracted the broken tooth … Read more

2 minute Video Testimonial – Patient Tom -Sinus Bone Graft, Dental Implants

patient review at Burbank Dental Implants: Ramsey Amin DDS office

Wow! I am so flattered Tom! Tom had a lot of apprehension of having dental implants to replace some failing bridgework. He had had friends that had some bad experiences with dental implants and sinus bone grafts. I met with Tom two to three times before the procedure to make sure all of his concerns were … Read more

Immediate Dental Implants…Things To Consider

Panoramic xray of full mouth dental implants

“Immediate loading” is a hot topic in implant dentistry.

In its most basic definition, it means you will have a tooth on your dental implant within 24 -48 hours of surgery.

Here is an example of the entire lower jaw replaced with nine implants and an immediate bridge:

X4925368

Every patient that I have treated has always wanted his or her teeth right away. You really should weigh the risks versus benefits of this procedure.

Immediate teeth work best for teeth in the front of the mouth.  It also works very well if you are missing all your teeth and is most successful if you are having implants for your whole lower or upper jaw.  The use of zygomatic implants also allows for same-day teeth in people that are missing all upper teeth even when they have soft bone.  When the dental implants are put in, I would make a temporary tooth or whole set of teeth right on the spot.  You would walk out of my office with teeth not gaps. The temporary teeth will look, feel and work like your regular teeth.

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VIDEO -Hard or Soft Bone – What is Better for Dental Implants?

dental implant

Most people think bone is just bone!  Actually, in the mouth it can be as hard oak wood or as soft as Styrofoam!!! Your success with the dental implant procedure has got a lot to do with this.  The techniques of placing the implants into each type of bone is very different.  This video should help … Read more

Dental Implant CT Scan Video

lower overdenture abutments LOCATOR

The power of interactive CT cone beam scans in implant dentistry is amazing! It allows me to plan the surgery in advance.  I can see things that I could never see with traditional x-rays. This man from Glendale, California was missing all of his teeth and wore regular dentures. The CT (CAT) scan allowed the … Read more

Do I Need Custom Dental Implant Abutments?

molars replaced with dental implants

There is a lot of confusion with patients that have come to me for 2nd opinions. The question is whether or not their dental implants need custom abutments or not. I will try to make this as non-technical as possible. If you are confused, comment below. Most implants have three pieces. The implant that goes … Read more

Video – How Long Do Dental Implants Take to Heal?

how long do dental implants take to heal?

Dental implants can require some time to heal before they become integrated to your jawbone.  Teeth can be made on the implants on the same day that the implant is placed, or a few months later. It is quite variable.  Having a bone graft may or may not prolong that time. This video taken at … Read more

Dental Implant or Root Canal – Cost and Value Comparison

Amalgam fillings and decayed lower molars

Although I am considered a dental implant specialist by a credentialing board and my peers let me first start by saying that saving your natural teeth is my FIRST priority. Dental implants are fantastic, but they are a close “second” to your natural teeth. The question is more about “restorability” of your remaining tooth when deciding … Read more

Dental Implant Case Example For Back Teeth

Missing lower molars

(updated January 2025) This patient thought she could never have dental implants.  She was so fearful of the procedure. I used I.V. sedation anesthesia so she could sleep through the surgery. The x-ray shows that she is missing her lower molars on one side. She also has a cracked root canal tooth supporting bridge on the other … Read more

Dental Implant Maintenance…OVER-DENTURE VS FIXED BRIDGE

Snap on overdentures

Fixed bridges are attached to your dental implants much like your natural teeth are connected to your bone. Because they are most similar to teeth, they do require some maintenance. Most importantly is your daily routine at home. You must brush and floss your implant fixed bridge. You will also need to have regular x-rays … Read more

Fixed Dental Implant Bridge vs. Implant Denture – What is the REAL Difference?

Fixed dental implant bridge

There is a common mistake that I hear from patients on a regular basis. Often times, I see patients for second opinions for dental implants to replace all of their teeth. They tell me they are having all their teeth removed and having a “bridge.” When I dig deeper or reference their paperwork, they are … Read more

Sinus Bone Lifting – Internal

xray of missing tooth

There are two ways to “lift the sinus” if you are missing bone for an upper back tooth. Read this post first  and watch this sinus graft video to understand the two main techniques and understand why this procedure is needed. Internal Sinus Lift Procedure This procedure is used when the bone loss of the … Read more

Orthodontic Dental Implants…They Help With Braces Too!

tilted molars

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

Nerve-Repositioning for Lower Dental Implants

Nerve-Repositioning or “Nerve Lateralization” is reserved for the rarest of cases, but is extremely useful in the right situation. This is a procedure that I perform.

It is only done to replace the lower back teeth with a very unique situation.  You may need this procedure if the bone is not “tall” enough to have an implant.  There also needs to be a lack of space from in-between you top and bottom teeth

Lower Back teeth with implants healing:

IMG_0112

Here is a picture of a patient with a lot of space between the bottom and top teeth:

IMG_8311

This space can be built back with bone with some difficulty.

This is a picture of a patient that has very little space:

LEFT

It is more desirable to have less space, which means you have more bone.

A CT scan is required for this procedure.  Below are some example images.

The orange line in this image is where the nerve is. You don’t want the

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Piezosurgery for Dental Implants and Bone Grafting

Panoramic xray of missing upper molars

Piezosurgery® is an exciting modality that enables me to cut bone without harming soft tissues. It is amazing. I have used it for 3 years now and it is just incredible.  It can cut bone, but it can't cut skin, gums, nerves, etc!  Unbelievable, but true. Piezosurgery utilizes high frequency ultrasonic vibrations—which allow the bone … Read more

Video – Sinus Lift Bone Graft for Dental Implants

sinus lift bone graft video

Sinus lift bone grafts are done when you need dental implants for your upper back teeth, but don't have enough bone. The procedure has been done since the mid 1970's. I was personally trained by the inventor of this procedure, Dr. Hilt Tatum This video is intended to give you some insight to why and … Read more

Digital X-rays During the Placement of Dental Implants

implant x-ray

(updated January 2025)

I was at a dental meeting recently at USC Dental School with about 200 dentists that place dental implants.  The topic of x-rays during implant surgery came up…and I could not believe what I heard.

Some background information

When placing an implant into the jawbone, it is necessary to take x-rays in between steps.  This allows me to guide the implant into an ideal location, which is extremely important.  Furthermore, taking x-rays during dental implant surgery allows me to see how deep I am. 

The vital nerves, arteries, sinuses and bone depressions are at the deepest part of bone, so taking multiple x-rays adds safety and predictability to the procedure.  It does add time to the procedure, but does not increase your cost.

An example

Here is an example of the process that I do for my patients to ensure good outcomes (follow the series of x-rays until the center implant is placed):

example of digital x-ray by Ramsey Amin, DDS of Burbank Dental Implants             digital x-ray image by Ramsey Amin, DDS of Burbank Dental Implants             digital x-ray stages by Ramsey Amin, DDS of Burbank Dental Implants   

digital x-ray by Ramsey Amin, DDS of Burbank Dental Implants

The position of the implant is checked and re-checked…perfect!

 

What I could not believe was the majority of the other dentists in attendance do not take x-rays along the way!!!!!!!!

The top two reasons were:

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Two Lower Front Teeth Dental Implants

One Piece dental implants for lower front teeth

Here is a case that was just completed today! (refer to date on post) His lower front teeth were not savable and needed to be extracted. They were replaced with two dental implants and crowns.  Pink porcelain was used to replicate the missing gum tissue and make the gum-line look more natural and easier to clean. … Read more

Bone Grafting For Dental Implants…Where Do You Get the Bone?

bone grafting for dental implants

When you lose a tooth, you lose bone with it. Rebuilding the bone for dental implants is very common.  Unfortunately, there is not a lot of information made available to patients about where the bone comes from. In this video, I will describe bone material options such as human, cow (bovine), your own bone and … Read more

How Many Dental Implants Do I Need Under My Denture?

Bar connecting 4 implants for an overdenture

In this post I am specifically talking about overdentures, not fixed implant bridges. Most commonly, a lower denture is supported with two to four implants underneath it.  The more implants you have the more stable the denture is. If I gave you a stool with two legs, could your sit on it?  Yes you could!  … Read more

How to Choose an Implant Dentist Specialist

ABOI award by Burbank Dental Implants: Ramsey Amin DDS

UPDATED 2024 You may have noticed that there are many dentists who claim to be “experts” in dental implants.  Even if they do not claim to be “experts,” many dentists still say they “do implants.”  The average dentist may be involved in 1-10 implants per year.  I typically see 4-5 cases per day.   What qualifications … Read more

What is a “Block Bone Graft” Associated with Dental Implants? — Video

block bone graft video

UPDATE TO THIS POST —-CLICK HERE Many patients have come to me for second opinions about bone grafts. Specifically, they were told they need a "block graft" or "onlay graft." Although this procedure is popular and works well, there is not a lot of patient information available about it. This video should give you a … Read more

The Triangle of Gums Between Teeth and Implants

Bad dental implants missing gum triangle papillae

The little triangle of gums between your front teeth.  Did you ever notice it? Look closely. Between each tooth should be a little triangle of gum called a papillae. That little tiny triangle of gum is of ultimate importance when having an implant in the front of the mouth. When you smile big you probably … Read more

Is Old Age a Problem With Dental Implants?

man eating apple

Occasionally, older patients express concern that their age may prevent them from enjoying the benefits of dental implants. However, health is more of a determining factor than age. If you're healthy enough to have a tooth extracted, you're probably healthy enough to receive dental implants. Age is rarely a consideration in dental implant treatment. I … Read more

Blood Thinners and Dental Implants

Panoramic xray of full mouth dental implants

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

Dental Implant “Overdenture” Basics – Dr. Ramsey Amin, Burbank, CA

poorly made overdenture attachment connection

Is your denture loose? A traditional denture can be supported with implants.  Dental implants will allow you to once again speak and eat with comfort and confidence! They are secure and offer freedom from the irksome clicks and wobbles of dentures. They’ll allow you to say goodbye to worries about misplaced dentures and messy pastes … Read more

Sleep Dentistry for Dental Implants and Bone Grafting

The majority of dental implants and bone replacement procedures can be performed in the office under local anesthesia and IV sedation. A contemporary method of anesthesia, sleep dentistry is very safe and effective. You can sleep through your entire procedure and wake up feeling refreshed, not groggy (the way you would if you were under … Read more

Do Full Mouth Dental Implants Hurt?

dental implants Burbank CA

Many of my new patients (and current patients) ask if full mouth dental implants hurt. My answer is…usually not! Since the jawbones have few nerve endings, the placement of dental implants causes only minor surgical discomfort – perhaps equivalent to having a tooth pulled. Most of my patients only need Advil or Tylenol after the … Read more

Dental Implants…Why not have a bridge instead?

Dental Implants…Why not have a bridge instead?

A traditional bridge involves grinding down adjacent teeth into pegs to support the bridge. It is a stable solution with average esthetics and function that is fairly easy to make. However, this alternative has two main disadvantages: continuous bone loss in the missing area, and sacrificing healthy teeth on behalf of the bridge. The teeth … Read more

Dental Implants…What are they?

Dental Implants diagram

Implants are artificial tooth roots made of titanium. These anchors act as tooth root substitutes. They are surgically placed into the jawbone. The bone bonds with the titanium, creating a strong foundation for porcelain teeth or they can strengthen your denture. Small posts called “abutments” are then attached to the implants, which protrude through the … Read more