Medical News

If you have lost one or more teeth, do not worry about having to just deal with it. Today’s abilities include being able to replace teeth with realistic products via dental implants. Learn more about this modern marvel before you decide whether to put it to use.

You may be a victim of tooth decay, gum disease, mouth trauma, congenital defects, or simply a major dentist operation gone wrong. Either way, you are probably a bit embarrassed about missing a tooth, leading to reduced smiles and even less of a desire to talk to others. You may even have problems eating, which can lead to serious problems like malnutrition. Don’t put your health in danger due to a hole in your smile, but instead consider dental implants to fix the issue.

This is not a temporary fix, but a permanent solution. You do not have to worry about the replacements falling out while you talk, or swallowing them while you eat. They are durable, and they are in your mouth for good when done correctly. Of course, it helps to have a dentist who has performed this procedure before with great results, so be sure to ask about prior patients.

Dental implants are not glued to the gums or stuck there by adhesive. Rather, they become anchored down over a few months by slowly fusing with the jaw bone. You can expect the implant to be placed in the mouth, and then you will need to wait about three to six months while osseointegration happens, which is when it really becomes anchored to the bone. If this is done successfully, the implant is there to stay, and is likely to be indistinguishable from other teeth.

Typically, the success rate of this procedure is higher in the lower area of the mouth than the upper, but most experienced dental professionals can make most any implant work with any area of the mouth.

Losing teeth these days is not as permanent a problem as it was years ago, since dental implants can fix the issue fast. In less than a year, and with very little time spent at the dentist’s office, you can fill in the gaps with new teeth that look quite realistic. When done correctly, no one will be able to tell what happened, allowing you to get back to your normal life without any embarrassment, malnutrition, or chewing problems.

Dental implants have come a long way since the Mayans implanted pieces of shell, shaped into teeth, into the sockets of missing teeth 1300 years ago. Today Dental Implantology has evolved into one of the most sought after treatments for missing teeth. Replacing a lost tooth with a dental implant is a relatively painless procedure providing the next best result, both aesthetically and functionally, to natural teeth.

What are the steps involved in getting an implant?

The first step towards getting an implant involves setting an appointment with your nearest trained restorative dentist. He/she will conduct a complete oral examination along with a detailed medical history to evaluate whether you are an eligible candidate to undergo implant surgery. For example, certain dental/medical conditions like Hyperparathyroidism, recent radiation therapy, certain cardiac problems, blood disorders, uncontrolled diabetes, bruxism, etc. may preclude you for surgery. Radiographs including conventional X-rays and CT scans may be needed, depending on the case.

The next step entails arriving at a treatment plan with your restorative dentist. The type of implant will vary, depending on your treatment needs and your present oral condition. The most commonly used implant type is the Endosteal or Root form Implant. As the name suggests, this implant is shaped like the root of a tooth and is placed within the bone directly. Other types include Subperiosteal, Transosteal, Plate-form, Intra-mucosal etc. Dental Implants are made from commercially pure titanium.

There are many methods of placing Root form implants after extraction of a tooth.

1. Immediate post-extraction implant placement.

2. Delayed immediate post-extraction implant placement (2 weeks -3 months after extraction).

3. Late implantation (3 months after extraction).

Dental Implants can be classified into Immediate loading, Early loading and Delayed loading depending on the timing of placement of load on the implant.

Steps involved in the placement of a Single tooth Endosteal, Late implantation, and Delayed loading Implant system include:

Implant Surgery Phase (Couple of hours)

• Generally you will be administered local anesthesia to numb the area of the surgery. The surgery may also be done under general anesthesia, conscious sedation or Nitrous Oxide sedation.

• The gum tissue in the area of the missing tooth will be removed to expose the bone where the implant will be placed.

• An instrument will be used to prepare the bone to receive the implant.

• When the bone has been adequately prepared, the implant can be placed.

• When the implant has been fully inserted into the prepared cavity, the gum is sutured back in place to enclose the implant within the tissue.

Healing Phase (3-6 months)

• During this phase the gum heals over the implant and bone forms around the implant, fusing with the implant (Osseo integration). You may experience mild discomfort and tenderness in the area for a few days. You can expect to be prescribed pain management medication and antibiotics for the first few days. Sutures are removed within 7-14 days.

Restorative Phase (Around 2 months)

• When the implant is ready to be uncovered, the gum tissue over the implant is opened and a healing collar is placed. This collar allows the gum to form around the new implant in a natural form. After 2 weeks, this collar is removed.

• The healing collar is then replaced with a post to support the new dental crown.

• Impressions are taken. Later, a temporary crown is fabricated. The dentist will place a permanent crown once he is completely satisfied with the healing.

The duration of treatment given is an estimation as each person reacts differently to treatments. Contact your dentist for further information.