Dental implants consists of a titanium screw that is surgically placed into the jaw bone beneath the gum surface, which acts as replacement for the root of the missing tooth. The implant is then allowed to fuse with the bone undisturbed over a period of time (weeks to months). Since they fuse with the bone, they provide firm support for artificial teeth, this secure fit helps dentures and bridges as well as individual crowns placed over implants, which gives a natural feel compared to the conventional dentures.
Dental Implants
Dental implant technology has become the state-of-the-art tooth replacement solution because of its advantages over earlier treatments. And, with modern innovations in dentistry, most patients can benefit from them – even those who were formerly told they could not.
Who can use dental implants ?
Almost anyone who is missing a single tooth or multiple teeth or all teeth are candidates for dental implants. Although if you have any chronic medical illness, a thorough investigation will be done before placing implants. Anyone who is healthy enough to undergo a tooth extraction is likely a suitable candidate for dental implants.
Dental implant treatment process
Step 1: Dental checkup During your 1 st appointment, gum status will be examined and a dental x-ray will be required to evaluate your bone density which will determine your eligibility for implants. Also if you have any chronic medical illness, your blood investigations will also be required. Step 2: Placement of implant If you are eligible for implants, then the titanium screw is placed into the jawbone, below the gum line, and allowed to osseointegrate with the bone. If the bone density is inadequate, additional grafting or sinus lift would be required. Step 3: Attaching the tooth to the titanium screw This involves creating and attaching the new tooth or teeth to the anchored implant(s) in the jaw. Dental implants can replace a single tooth, several teeth or complete dentures.
Do I need to do anything special to maintain the implant ?
As dental implants are firmly secured to bone, as with natural teeth, require thorough cleaning. Cleaning around implants is no more difficult than cleaning your natural teeth. If this is not carried out then you may experience problems similar to that of gum disease with infection around the implant resulting in bone loss, loosening and failure. We also advise you to see us on a regular basis to maintain the healthy status of the implant and the rest of the teeth and gums.
Benefits of dental implants
Improved Appearance: When teeth are lost, ongoing shrinkage of the jawbone occurs making the face look older. Dental implants can slow or stop this process. Dental implants look and feel like your own natural teeth.
Increased Comfort: Dental implants eliminate the pain and discomfort of removable full or partial dentures. Since dentures sit on top of the jawbone and gums, continuous shrinkage of the jaw bone alters the fit of the denture resulting in slipping or rocking of the dentures. Exposed nerves and irritation of the gum tissue may add to the discomfort.
Improved Speech: With ill fitting dentures, the teeth slip and slide around the mouth. The facial muscles become tense in an attempt to hold the teeth in place. This often results in mumbling, slurred speech or clicking noises.
Improved Self Esteem: Considering all other benefits, dental implants can improve your self-esteem. You may feel better about yourself. You can regain nearly all the capabilities that most people have with natural teeth, giving you renewed confidence, and allowing you to enjoy life, do what everyone else is doing and not think twice about it.
Eat Better: The average denture patient with an excellent fitting denture eats at 15-20% efficiency when compared to a person with natural teeth. As the jawbone shrinks, your chewing efficiency is reduced even more, making it difficult to eat certain foods. Dental implants can restore chewing efficiency comparable to that of natural teeth.
Convenience: Dental implants can eliminate the numerous embarrassing inconveniences of removable partial and full dentures. You will eliminate the use of gooey denture adhesives that must be re-applied throughout the day. You will no longer need to cover your mouth when you laugh or smile, for fear that your teeth will pop out or fall down.
Protect Your Remaining Natural Teeth: Dental implants are often more appropriate than a bridge for the replacement of one or more adjacent teeth. With conventional bridgework, the teeth surrounding missing teeth must be ground down. Dental implants often eliminate the need to modify these teeth, resulting in a conservative, yet esthetic restoration.
