DENTAL IMPLANTS
A dental implant is essentially a titanium screw that is placed into your jaw to support a replacement tooth or bridge. Dental implants may be an option for people who have lost a tooth or teeth due to infection, caries, periodontal disease, trauma, or some other reason.
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Placement of dental implants requires a coordinated team effort with careful planning between a periodontist , restorative dentist and possibly other specialists. At our clinic we perform the actual implant surgery, initial tooth extractions, and bone grafting if necessary. Our restorative specialist or your designated dentist will fits and makes the permanent prosthesis. Your dentist will also make any temporary prosthesis needed during the implant process
ARE YOU A CANDIDATE FOR DENTAL IMPLANTS?
The ideal candidate for a dental implant is in good general and oral health. Adequate bone in your jaw is needed to support the implant, and the best candidates have healthy gum tissues that are free of periodontal disease.
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Dental implants are intimately connected with the gum tissues and underlying bone in the mouth. Since periodontists are the dental experts who specialize in precisely these areas, they are ideal members of your dental implant team. Not only do periodontists have experience working with other dental professionals, they also have the special knowledge, training and facilities that you need to have teeth that look and feel just like your own.
WHAT IS A DENTAL IMPLANT PROCEDURE LIKE?
This procedure is a team effort between you, your dentist and your periodontist. Your periodontist and dentist will consult with you to determine where and how your implant should be placed. Depending on your specific condition and the type of implant chosen, your periodontist will create a treatment plan tailored to meet your needs.
Replacing a Single Tooth
If you are missing a single tooth, one implant and a crown can replace it.
Replacing Several Teeth
If you are missing several teeth, multiple implants can support a bridge
Replacing All of Your Teeth
If you are missing all of your teeth, an implant-supported bridge or full denture can replace them
Implant Supported Overdentures
An implant supported overdenture is a contemporary restoration that has revolutionized the way dentists think of replacing teeth. Standard dentures are unsecured prostheses with inherent limitations. Dentures can be uncomfortable and unstable. Such dentures can make chewing foods difficult, limiting the foods that you once enjoyed. Modern dentistry can help with implant overdentures. The implants also support the bone around them, reducing shrinkage over time. Implant-supported overdentures stay connected with bar and clip attachment methods or use a variety of abutment-based attachments (such as Locators). The most appropriate attachment system for your individual needs relates to a variety of factors that is determined early in the treatment.
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Typically, a temporary set of teeth can be placed on the same day of surgery. The temporary teeth allow you to lead a normal life immediately after surgery. After a short healing period, your dentist will place the final denture and connect it to the implants. Your quality of life is improved, and you can start enjoying your favorite foods again with renewed confidence. This approach can also be extremely beneficial with partial dentures as well.
ADVANTAGES
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A cost effective solution. When compared to some other implant supported restorations, your new replacement teeth require fewer implants per jaw. With fewer implants required, the cost is lowered.
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Reduced need for bone grafting. The placement of two or more implants ensures a secure and stable anchorage for the complete denture, often making bone grafting unnecessary.
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Faster treatment and healing time. Your replacement teeth can be attached to your implants immediately after healing.
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Implant ovedentures have had fantastic clinical outcomes from decade long studies with favorable results. Ask your prosthodontist about implants used to support dentures.
Surgical Procedures
In some circumstances additional surgical procedures may be required prior to or in conjunction with implant placement. These procedures are used to correct ridge deformities that may impair optimal implant placement or correct ridge deficiencies that might have a detrimental impact on the final aesthetic outcome. The indications for these additional surgical procedures will depend on the patient's current general and oral health, bone volume and the quality of soft tissues. In summary these surgical procedure may include:
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Soft and bone tissue augmentation
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Ridge preservation
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Sinus lift
WHAT CAN I EXPECT AFTER RECEIVING A DENTAL IMPLANT?
As you know, your own teeth require conscientious at-home oral care and regular dental visits. Dental implants are like your own teeth and will require the same care. In order to keep your implant clean and plaque-free, brushing and flossing still apply!
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After treatment, your periodontist will work closely with you and your dentist to develop the best care plan for you. Periodic follow-up visits will be scheduled to monitor your implant, teeth and gums to make sure they are healthy
PERI-IMPLANT HEALTH
The health of the gum tissue around an implant (called mucosa) is essential to the long term functional health of the implant itself since this creates a protective boundary that ensures the bone, which has bonded to the implant, is well maintained. Research has actually shown that there is an attachment between the deeper tissue compartment of the mucosa and titanium via special bridges called hemi-desmosomes and these are thought to play an essential role in the stability of this zone.
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Many factors can lead to inflammation and /or disease of the mucosa and bone including but not restricted to poor oral hygiene, smoking, genetic predisposition, ill-fitting crown and bridgework and/or excess dental cement. The result of this inflammation is a condition termed peri-implant mucositis which is recognised as an early warning for a deeper more serious problem called peri-implantitis which is more correctly defined as an infection of the bone supporting the implant.