dental implants

Dental Implants

An implant is a titanium “root” which can be placed into the jawbone. Once integrated with your bone, the implant can be used to support a crown, a bridge, or secure a complete denture. Dental implants may be used to eliminate partial plates and dentures.

Dental implants are very strong, stable, and durable and will last many years, but on occasion, they will have to be re-tightened or replaced due to normal wear.

 

Implant Placement

There are actually two phases to implant dentistry.

Phase 1: Using very accurate surgical techniques, an incision is made in the gum tissues and implants are placed into dimensionally controlled sites (depth and width) in the jawbone.

First, the gum tissue is opened and the jawbone is tapped with a small drill and then drilled with a wider drill. The implant is inserted into place. The gum tissues are then closed and the healing phase begins. This may take anywhere from 3-6 months to ensure a strong base.

Phase 2: An abutment is secured to the top of the implant placing a new tooth crown onto the implant abutment. Implants can replace a single tooth, several teeth or your dentures.

 

Single Dental Implants

A single tooth implant procedure may be done if a tooth has been extracted or is missing. A titanium implant base is placed into the jawbone to resemble the tooth root. We allow a period of time to allow for the jawbone to heal over the implant base before fitting for a crown. Next, an abutment is screwed into the base of the implant to allow for a crown to be fitted on top. Finally, a custom fabricated crown is placed over the abutment to function like a real tooth.

 

Multiple Implants

Multiple tooth implants may be placed if you need or desire to permanently replace an extracted or lost tooth. Titanium implant bases are placed into the jawbone to replace the job of the tooth roots. We allow a period of time for the jawbone to heal over the bases before fitting for a crown. Next, abutments are screwed into the bases of the implants to allow crowns to be attached. Finally, custom fabricated crowns are placed over the abutments and will function like a real tooth.

 

Full Arch Dental Implants

Full arch implants are dental implants that can be placed to accept a full arch of teeth. The arch is removable yet functions like a full set of normal teeth.

A: Implants are a well –established, tried and tested treatment. Over 95% of modern implants last many years with the right after care.

A: Yes. You can have any number of teeth replaced with implants- from one single tooth to a complete set.

A: No. It depends on the condition, quality and amount of bone in your jaw. If there is inadequate quantity or poor quality of bone it may not be possible to place implants without grafting bone into the area first.

A: Placing the implants requires a small operation. This is painless as it is carried out using local anesthesia but if you are nervous then sedation techniques can be used to relax and you will then remember nothing of the procedure. Following the placement of the implants you will experience some discomfort for about a week due to the normal healing process but this is easily controlled with the medication you will be given to take home.

A: From the initial assessment to the time when the artificial teeth are attached can vary from the same day to, in very complicated cases, 18 months. You will be given a rough timetable before the treatment starts but, as a general guide, healing is faster in the lower jaw where bone quality is usually better than in the upper jaw. From commencement of treatment to placement of the definitive restoration is usually approximately 3 months in the lower jaw and 6 months in the upper jaw.

A: The implants need time to bond (integrate) with the bone after they have been placed but in some situations it is possible to place provisional restorations immediately. These provisional restorations are for aesthetic reasons only and are designed not to carry any of the loads exerted during normal function. They are replaced with the definitive restorations when the implants are fully integrated.

A: Yes, if you don’t care for them properly! Regular appointments with the hygienist for cleaning and a check on your home maintenance are essential if you are to have long lasting, successful implants.

A: No, unless you’re having only a single tooth replaced, Normally. Five or six implants are used to replace all the teeth in one jaw and two or three for a few missing teeth.

A: This happens very rarely. If the implant becomes loose during the healing period it is easily removed and healing takes place in the normal way. Once the jaw has healed, another implant can be placed there.

A: Yes it can be. You will be given a written estimate of the cost with a full explanation of the treatment and timings and alternative treatments and costing. Over the longer term, implants are usually a more cost effective and satisfactory option with many advantages. An implant to replace a single tooth avoids the need to cut down the teeth either side for crowns to support a bridge, and retains the bone needed for optimal aesthetics. Normal dentures often mean you can’t eat or speak well, due to the dentures moving about, but teeth attached to implants do not cause these problems as the implants are anchored to the bone even more firmly than natural teeth.

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