Dental Implants

Dental implants are a stable and secure surgical option for replacing one or more missing teeth. A dental implant uses an artificial root, usually made of titanium. The implant is surgically inserted into the jawbone and after 4-6 months of healing (successful osteointegration), an artificial tooth is attached to the implant. The implant acts as an anchor to hold the replacement tooth in place. Your dentist may recommend dental implants for the following reasons:

• Replace one or more missing teeth without affecting adjacent teeth

• Resolve joint pain or bite problems caused by teeth shifting into missing tooth space

• Restore a patient's confident smile

• Restore chewing, speech, and proper digestion

Your dentist will need to do some special X-rays to check where to place the implant to avoid a bad position (ensuring you can place the crown on the correct bite), and a surgical stent guide to help the correct placement of the implant.

To do a proper implant that both looks good and has good function, your dentist must make sure you:

1. Have enough bone to get long term stability. Bone graft may be needed in some cases if there are any bone defects, bone loss, decreased bone volume, or if the location is too close to sinus.

2. Have enough keratinized soft tissue (thick pink gum tissue around the teeth). Soft tissue grafting may be needed in some cases

3. Are in good condition for healing. Diabetes, smoking, and active periodontal disease create a high risk for implant failure in the future. Additionally, good oral hygiene and routine dental scaling are key for long term survival of the implants.

 

There are two types of implants:

• Screw retained, where the crown is attached to the implant post through a special screw. This is for easy access for removal of the prosthesis in the case that it requires repair (broken) or replacement in the future.

• Cement retained, where the crown is cemented with dental cement over the implant post. In this case, it is harder to remove the prosthesis in the event that it requires repair or  replacement. It is done in the areas where the screw may show (front teeth with implant placed in limited angulation).