|
 Dental
implants are artificial tooth replacements that are used to
counter tooth loss. The procedure is categorized as a form of
prosthetic (artificial replacement) dentistry, though it also
falls into the category of
cosmetic dentistry
as well.
Although you have a number of
restorative options for the treatment of missing teeth, in many cases, dental
implants may be the only logical choice for the restoration of all necessary
functionality of the teeth and supporting structures. Strong, durable and
natural in appearance, implants are among the most successful dental procedures
performed.
Tooth Loss
Teeth are lost because of:
People who have lost teeth might feel
too self-conscious to smile or talk. Additionally, biting irregularities caused
by tooth loss can have a negative effect on eating habits and this can lead to
secondary health problems like malnutrition. Regardless of the nature of
problems related to tooth loss, dental implants may provide a simple remedy with
proven results.
Advantages of Implant
Dentistry
Implants offer a permanent solution to
tooth loss and may be used in conjunction with other restorative procedures for
maximum effectiveness. For example, a single implant can serve to support a
crown replacing a single missing tooth. Implants can also be used to support a
dental bridge for the replacement of multiple missing teeth, and can be used
with dentures to increase stability and reduce gum tissue irritation.
Procedural advancements, including the
development of narrower “mini” implants, mean that more people than ever before
are finding themselves candidates for implantation. However, candidacy for
implantation still varies, meaning that we may determine that you should opt for
an alternative restoration.
The Dental Implant
Procedure
Today's dental implants are virtually
indistinguishable from other teeth. This appearance is aided in part by the
structural and functional connection between the dental implant and the living
bone. Implants are typically placed in a single sitting but require a period of
osseointegration.
Osseointegration is the process by
which direct anchorage of a dental implant root and the bone of the jaw occurs.
Osseointegrated implants are the most commonly used and successful type of
dental implant. An osseointegrated implant takes anywhere from three to six
months to anchor and heal, at which point we can complete the procedure with the
placement of a crown. Once the implant has anchored with the jawbone, artificial
prosthesis may be attached and the process is done. If osseointegration does not
occur, the implant will fail.
Success Rates of
Dental Implants
Dental implants are among the most
successful procedures in dentistry. There is no guarantee that an implant
procedure will be successful, but studies have shown a five-year success rate of
95% for lower jaw implants and 90% for upper jaw implants. The success rate for
upper jaw implants is slightly lower because the upper jaw (especially the
posterior section) is less dense than the lower jaw, making successful
implantation and osseointegration potentially more difficult to achieve. Lower
posterior implantation has the highest success rate for all dental implants
New Procedural Strategies
(Immediate Implant)
Dental implants are placed into
locations where teeth have recently been extracted. When successful, this new
strategy can shed months off of the treatment time associated with dental
implants because osseointegration is sped up. Candidacy for this type of early
intervention is dependant upon anatomical factors of the extracted tooth site.
For example, in many cases the extracted tooth site is wider than the implant,
making it impossible to place the implant into the site immediately after
extraction. Dental work would have to be performed first in order to create a
perfect fit for the implant.
|
