Dental Implants: An Overview
The discovery of titanium as the material-of-choice for replacing the natural root of a tooth with an artificial cylinder that is in the same position and functions much the same as the natural tooth it is replacing is undoubtedly the most significant devolpment of all that has happened in dentistry since the development of local anesthesia.
I recently finished my first case of restoring both the full upper arch and the full lower arch where there had been no teeth for over fifty years. Now, try to imagine going from wearing removable dentures to having all your own teeth back. That was one of the most satisfying cases of my whole dental career.
That having been said, most implant cases are something short of that extreme, but here are some of the reasons why I think that having implants is one of the nicest things that can happen to any patient with any number of missing teeth.
Again, I always like to consider the extremes. Are these implants so good that everyone should rush in and have all their natural teeth replaced with implants? The answer is, of course, probably not! It is certainly not the answer for someone who has teeth healthy enough to last the rest of his or her lifetime. However, the likelihood of an implant in the lower jaw is 99%, and I can think of hundreds of molars in my practice that have had root canals, posts, and crowns that have something less than that happy implant prognosis. The practical application of any statistics would be to turn the situation back around to ask me, "What would Dr. Turner do if it were his own tooth needing that root canal, post, and crown?" Absolutely, I would have my tooth removed and an implant placed. Why would I opt for treatment that has a 95% chance of success when I can have one that has a 99% success rate? The "standard of care" among dental professionals isn't so quick to respond to the obvious, but mark my words, scientific observation will eventually prevail.
Reasons for dental implants:
-
Replace one or more missing teeth without touching 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 digestion.
-
Restore or enhance facial tissues.
-
Support a bridge or denture, making them more secure and comfortable.
What does getting dental implants involve?
The process of getting implants requires a number of visits.
X-rays and impressions (molds) are taken of the jaw and teeth to determine bone, gum tissue, and spacing available for an implant. While the area is numb, the implant will be surgically placed into the bone and allowed to heal and integrate itself onto the bone for up to six months. Depending on the type of implant, a second surgery may be required in order to place the “post” that will hold the artificial tooth in place. With other implants the post and anchor are already attached and placed at the same time.
After several weeks of healing the restorations are made and fitted to the post portion of the anchor. The final restorations will look and function just like natural teeth. Most patients say that their strongest chewing surfaces are those supported by the underlying titanium implants.
You will receive care instructions when your treatment is completed. Good oral hygiene, eating habits, and regular dental visits will aid in the life of your new implant.