The Ultimate Guide to Dental Implants Dental implants are the most advanced technique for replacing teeth Dental implant technology has advanced to the stage where nobody except a dentist can tell the difference between the replacement teeth and the teeth that were there previously. They work just as well, and look and feel the same. What is a dental implant? A dental implant performs the same function as the root of a tooth. Implants are made of commercially pure titanium, a metal having the special property that it can remain in contact with living tissue without being rejected. The implant is fitted into the jaw and provides a firm base for replacement teeth. Implants come in various shapes and sizes and can be customized to suit many different conditions in the jaw. It is a flexible technology that can deal with a wide range of dental health problems.
Single tooth replacement As a replacement for a single missing tooth, an implant can be placed instead of the root, with a crown taking the place of the tooth. The implant is fitted into the jaw and provides a firm base for the replacement tooth. What is the best way to replace a single missing tooth? One common way of filling the gap left by a tooth which is removed or falls out is to support a prosthetic tooth by the teeth on each side using a dental bridge. This involves grinding and placing a crown on the healthy teeth to support the bridge, which is cemented in place. Another option is a dental implant. This is attached directly to the jawbone and so causes no disturbance to other teeth. It also looks and behaves more like a natural tooth. The presence of the implant is better for the health of the bone, because it integrates with the bone in place of the root, while the bone under a bridge tends to resorb (wither away, because there is no longer any force acting on it. Other advantages of the implant-fixed tooth compared with the bridge are that maintains its appearance better over time, and is easier to clean. It eliminates some problems associated with bridges: receding gums that expose the metal at the base, facial distortion caused by bone restoration, and decay of the supporting teeth if there is any loss of the cement holding the bridge. Multiple teeth replacements Multiple implants can be inserted in a gap to replace missing teeth without disturbing the healthy adjacent teeth.implant supported bridges can replace several missing teeth. Implants replace both the teeth and some of the roots.
Advantages of implant supported bridges over fixed bridges and removable dentures: Implant supported bridges replace missing teeth without disturbing the healthy adjacent teeth. Unlike ordinary dental bridges and dentures, implant-supported bridges look almost identical to natural teeth, and they are very long lasting. Implants are not prone to the same problems of receding gums as dentures and dental bridges. An implant also maintains the long-term health of the jawbone underneath, because it imitates the natural root in transmitting the force on the tooth. This prevents the bone from atrophying and maintains an attractive smile. Replacing all teeth ( Overdentures / All on-4 / Full arch bridge) Overdentures A modern type of dentures, a considerable advance on false teeth, are attached to implants. So unlike ordinary dentures, they do not rest on the gums. Implant supported dentures are often the best choice if there are no natural teeth remaining, but the jawbone is healthy. The implants are placed in the bone, and the denture snaps on to them by special attachments. The dentures have an acrylic base with porcelain or acrylic teeth, so that they look just like natural gums and teeth. Each denture is attached to two or four implants, by either a bar or a ball attachment. Bar retained overdenture In bar retained dentures 2 to 4 implants are placed in the jaw. A metal bar that runs along the gum line is attached to the implants. Special attachments are fitted to the bar and the denture to provide maximum stability. When the denture is clipped into place, it is aesthetically perfect and is held there with approximately the same stability as a fixed bridge. Ball retained overdenture In ball retained dentures, 2 or 3 implants are placed in the jaw. A ball-shaped attachment on each implant fits into a socket on the denture. The denture and the implants snap together as the ball goes into the socket. Ball retained dentures are not as stable as bar retained dentures, but are less likely to move in the mouth.
All-on -4 dental implants The All-on-4 dental implant technique has been developed as a simple but comprehensive treatment for people who have failing teeth, have no teeth, wear dentures or who need full upper or lower restoration. It is a highly efficient procedure, it is much quicker and more costefficient than other methods. The all on four technique involves 4 implants and a full set of replacement teeth that can usually be fitted in one visit to the dentist. So the procedure is much quicker, and the healing time is also shorter. Another advantage of All-on4 is that it eliminates the need for bone grafts and sinus augmentation resulting a quicker and more cost effective procedure. Advantages of All-on-4 Has a lower overall cost than other implant procedures Reduces or eliminates the need of bone grafting Has proven predictability with highly successful outcomes If you need replacement teeth, they can be ready within one day It is long-lasting, and gives you a lifetime smile Full arch bridge For people who have lost all or most of their teeth, a fixed bridge is an alternative to dentures or a bridge-denture (All-on-4). This involves placing implants in the jawbone. The exact way this is done, and the number of implants, will depend on the shape and condition of your jaw and the pattern of the opposing teeth. There is also a choice of bridges which can be fitted. A full arch implant supported bridge can be placed when you are already missing all teeth in one of your jaws. If you have teeth remaining, they may need to be removed as a first step before implant surgery can proceed, or sometimes the teeth may be extracted and implants placed immediately after the teeth have been removed.
What prerequisites and risks should be borne in mind? The most important precondition for dental implants is a healthy and intact jawbone. Maintaining a high level of oral hygiene is also essential. You must also tell your dentist about any medical conditions you have and any medicines you take, so as to avoid complications. This particularly applies to medicines for osteoporosis and anticoagulants. What should you look for in a dental practice? When you get a proposal for dental treatment, the price alone is not enough to decide whether it is right for you. How can you know whether a lower price represents a realistic compromise, or a high price actually means high quality? As with other products and services, dentistry offers many choices of materials and methods. So before you choose a treatment (such as dental implants) you have to find out as much as you can about the dental practice and the implantation techniques they use. Here are a few essential points to consider when you are weighing up the quality of a service and judging the value represented by the price. First impressions are important! A clean surgery, up-to-date equipment, considerate and well informed staff and professional written information are all signs of a well-capitalized operation which you can depend on in the long term. This is very important, because many dental interventions carry a severalyear guarantee, and this has to be backed up by a reliable and stable dental practice. The dentist Dentistry has become so diverse, involving many new methods of treatment, that it has divided into areas of specialty. A practice should have separate specialists for different areas, highly qualified in their respective fields and benefiting from concentrated experience. A team of dentists is also much better able to approach a complex problem in all its various aspects. You may also appreciate the convenience of getting all of your treatment in one place rather than having to go elsewhere for surgery, for example. You should have a look at the dentist s experience (e.g. special qualifications, length ofexperience in the field, number of implants inserted)
Getting information and making a plan Everybody has different needs, tolerance to pain, and financial means. A good dentist can in most cases offer several options for treatment. You should be told about the benefits and drawbacks of each option, and any risks associated with them. Only then can you make a good decision. It is very useful if the dentist after giving a professional explanation makes a written proposal about the planned treatment, telling you what it will cost. Implantation system Several hundred implantation systems are commercially available, all with their own advantages, although most of them vary only in the details. Some long-established manufacturers have built up considerable prestige for their dental implant systems. They make every piece with great precision and subject it to strict quality control. These products are expensive. The field is developing very rapidly, however, and there are now companies whose efficient systems of manufacture and distribution allow them to market advanced and precise implants at lower prices. These are also excellent and highly-reliable products. The law requires that all items implanted in the human body must be traceable to the point of manufacture, and so the surest sign of reliability is a coded certificate which is provided to you after the procedure. This is the document which assures you that you have received a high-quality, fully-inspected implant. We hope you find the above information useful. Hello, I am Renata Heintz. I am the chief dentist of Firstdent.I have dedicated my professional life to helping people like you to have a natural healthy looking smile. Dentures and missing teeth belong to the past. Modern dental surgery can give you back the mouth you deserve quickly, painlessly and at a less expensive price than you expext. You will be able to eat all your favourite foods with no risk of discomfort or social embarrassment. I would like to welcome you to visit my state of the art dental clinic. Dr Renata Heintz Master of Implantology I can assure you that you will be impressed with my dental team and our state of the art facilities. Remember, that with Firstdent there is always a reason to smile! Dr Renata Heintz