Dental Implants

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are one of the most popular and ideal solutions for replacing missing or lost teeth. They were first deployed in the 1960s and have become increasingly popular as an alternative to removing dentures. A dental implant is a metallic structure used to replace a missing tooth. With screw-like devices, the surgeon inserts and transplants an anchor for an artificial tooth called a crown into the jawbone.

Implants are generally manufactured from Titanium, a metal known to be compatible with body tissues and able to bond with adjacent bones during healing. In recent years, implants made from Zirconia, which is white rather than metallic in color and has similar bone-bonding qualities as Titanium, have become popular and have been shown to be as effective as titanium ones.

Types Of Dental Implants

The types of dental implants that are used to replace missing or lost teeth are as follows –

Endosteal Implants

It is one of the most common types of dental implants, which are small screw-like posts surgically inserted or placed into the jawbone to act as an artificial root and support a replacement tooth, crown, bridge, or denture.

Subperiosteal Implants

It is used for patients who have experienced significant bone loss in the jaw that may be caused by periodontal diseases, injury, or aging, as well as patients who are not a good candidate for bone grafting procedures.
It consists of a custom-made metal framework placed on top of the jawbone beneath the gum tissues. It is an alternative for patients with insufficient bone density or height to support traditional endosteal implants.

Zygoma Implants

The zygomatic implant is an alternative to traditional dental implants and bone grafting designed for individuals with severe bone loss in the upper jaw. These implants are longer than standard implants and are placed at an angle into (cheekbone) zygomatic bone.
It eliminates the complex and lengthy bone grafting procedures, and the dense zygomatic bone provides a strong foundation for the implants, leading to a more stable and long-lasting restoration.

All-On-4 Dental Implants

It is a permanent dental prosthesis that replaces an entire row of teeth at the top or bottom of the jaw. It uses strategically four-placed implants to support a full arch of replacement teeth.
In this procedure, two implants are placed in the front jaw, and the other two are positioned at an angle in the back of the jaw, allowing for better bone stability.

Recommendations For Patients

Before choosing dental implants, talk to your dental provider about the potential risks and benefits to determine whether you are a good candidate for the procedure.

Things to consider while having dental implants –

Your overall health is crucial in determining whether you are a good candidate for dental implants, how long they will take to heal, and how long they will stay in place.
Ask your dentist what brand of dental implant system will be used in your procedure, and keep this information for your records.
Smoking can affect or slow down the healing process and decrease the success of the implant.
The healing process for teeth implanted may take several months or longer, and during that time, a temporary abutment is typically placed in place of the tooth.
Follow the oral hygiene instructions recommended by your dentist. Clean the implant and surrounding teeth regularly to ensure its long-term success.
If your implant is painful or loose, tell your dentist immediately.

Procedure Of Dental Implant

Dental implants are a personalized process that is not the same for everyone, but the following is a general overview of what you can expect your dentist to do.
Dental implants may require a few procedures and several months to heal. But once they heal, they work just like a natural tooth. Proper care and oral hygiene ensure that implants can last a lifetime.

Dental Implant Surgery

These are the processes of dental implant of teeth or surgery –

Gives Anesthesia –

You will be given anesthesia to numb your gums; you may also choose sedation if you want to.

Create An Incision –

Your surgeon will make an incision (cut) in the gums to expose the bone underneath to place the implant.

Prepare Your Jaw –

Your surgeon will make a small hole in the jawbone to widen the opening until it is just the right size for placing new dental implants.

Place The Dental Implant –

Your surgeon will carefully place the dental implants into your jaw.

Close The Incision –

Your surgeon may reposition your gums to close the opening with stitches.

If your implant teeth are in front of your mouth, your dentist will do a temporary tooth implant to cover the gap in your smile until you heal. If your implant is in the back of your mouth, you probably don’t need a temporary tooth implant.

Healing Phase

During the healing phase, your jawbone should fuse to the dental implant. This process, called osseointegration, is critical for stability and long-term success.

The soft tissues (gums) around the implant begin to heal within the first few weeks, followed by a crucial osseointegration (bone fusion) process.
After that, the implant fuses with the surrounding tissues (gums), which takes approximately 3 – 6 months.

Placement of abutment and final restoration

Once the osseointegration or healing process is complete, minor surgery will expose the implant and attach the abutment. This will be followed by the final restoration, such as a crown, bridge, or denture, ensuring a functional and aesthetically pleasing result.

Benefits Of Dental Implants

Following are some of the common benefits of dental implant surgery –

Restores the ability to chew
Restores cosmetic appearance and gives a confident smile
Keeps your jawbone from shrinking due to bone loss
Helps keep adjacent teeth stable
Preserves the health of surrounding bone and gums
Improves quality of life

Conclusion

Dentistry implant systems are made of materials that follow the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards or ASTM International. They have the details about what makes a material safe. Most dental implant equipment is made of titanium or zirconium oxide, which has bone-bonding qualities.

“We Give You Your Dream Smile”

Dental implants are titanium “roots” carefully placed in positions once occupied by your natural teeth to support replacements that look and feel like your teeth. Within a few months, they become secure in the bone.