Dental Implants
What are Dental Implants?
A dental implant is a false tooth which is attached in the jaw via a titanium screw for a permanent fixed tooth.
Why Choose Dental Implants?
They are incredibly useful in helping to secure a denture and they are a permanent replacement for missing teeth and they continue to support the bone structure in the jaw.
Dental implants are possibly one of the most ideal, long term solution, to replacing missing teeth, their strength and durability allow them to look, feel and function like a natural tooth; they are strong and durable given that they are cared for properly with regular dental checkups.
Dental implants improve the confidence of patients who once were uncomfortable smiling.
Are You a Candidate for Dental Implants?
If you can have routine dental treatment, you can generally have an dental implants placed. While precautions are advisable, patients with such chronic diseases as high blood pressure and diabetes are usually successful candidates for dental implant treatment.
Almost all implants placed in patients who have lost their teeth to periodontal disease or decay have been successful.
Implants can replace removable bridges or dentures, or they can be used to stabilize and secure the denture, making it much more comfortable.
As with most things they are never 100% guaranteed. But if patients are willing to care for them with regular dental checkups, interdental cleaning using floss, tepes etc then implants have a very high success rate. Dental implants have a higher failure rate with people with medical conditions such as diabetes, periodontal disease and those who smoke.
Bone loss is not uncommon for people who have lost teeth or had periodontal disease. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are trained and experienced in grafting bone to safely and permanently secure the implant.
The initial appointment will be a consultation to discuss all the options available to you for replacing the missing teeth. If Dental Implants are possible to replace the missing teeth, we will carry out radiographs and make study models of your jaws. In some cases, you may need to have a CT scan, which is a 3D image of your jaws. This is a great benefit for dental implant planning as the scan assesses the bone levels and will locate all nerves, so there will be a reduced risk of damage to nerves.
Once your dentist has all the information required, they can plan for placement of the dental implants. The dentist can also assess if a bone graft might be needed. In some cases, the bone levels are too low to place an implant directly into the bone – in these cases the dentist would need to carry out a bone graft first.
The Procedure
The dental implant process requires a surgical procedure that is performed at your dentist’s surgery. It is a relatively painless procedure, usually done under local anaesthesia.
The first step to any dental implant procedure is diagnosis and treatment planning. Your dentist will perform a thorough evaluation of general and local health conditions, anatomical structure and treatment options. Once those are established, your dentist will offer the best recommendations for you.
Under local anaesthetic, your dentist will open the gum tissue where you are missing teeth. They will then place the implant fixture directly into the jaw bone. As this heals, the implant fixture will integrate with the bone and serve as a new root for a permanent tooth replacement.
Depending on your personal treatment plan, the implant is sometimes left buried during the healing process. Once the implant has integrated, the gums are reshaped to fit carefully around the prospective artificial tooth.
After the implant fixture has healed and integrated into the bone, impressions will be taken and an abutment (the component which connects the implant fixture to the crown) is chosen by your dentist. From the impressions taken, the laboratory can create a custom-made permanent restoration. It is designed and made to blend and fit well with the surrounding and adjacent teeth.
The custom made dental prosthesis is fitted in the mouth. The crown or bridge is placed on top of the abutment and functions as if it were your original tooth.
Aftercare and routine check-ups are required to ensure correct care and maintenance of the implant is being undertaken.