Dental Implants: Everything you need to know


 Dental implants are artificial teeth that replace missing natural teeth. It is a great way to replace missing teeth, but it has a surgical component and not all dentists can perform it. Therefore, it is important for people to find the right dental specialist to perform their dental implants. Many patients think any dentist can perform dental implants. However, it does not work that way. In this article, we will learn about dental implants, and which dental branch or specialist is best for dental implants.

Contents  hide 
1 What is Dental Implant?
2 Dental Implant Procedure:
3 Advantages of Dental Implants:
4 Disadvantages of Dental Implants:
5 Who are eligible for Dental Implants?
5.1 The following categories of patients who require special considerations before the placement of dental implants:
6 Which dental specialist is best for dental implants?
7 Conclusion
8 References

What is Dental Implant?


A dental implant is a fixed prosthesis. It is a popular solution for patients with one or more missing teeth. A metal screw is placed into the jawbone where the tooth is missing and an artificial crown (cap) is placed on top of it. Dental implants act like roots of natural teeth. They provide a permanent replacement for missing teeth and are as strong or stronger as natural teeth. You can have just one implant or a full set to replace all teeth. Dental implant-supported prostheses have many benefits over traditional removable dentures as well as natural teeth-supported fixed bridges. That’s why they are often chosen over dentures and bridges. A specialist in dental implants is called a Dental Implantologist.


Dental Implant Procedure:

Following the administration of local anesthetic, the implant specialist screws a metal (titanium) implant post into the patient’s jawbone.  Once the surgical site has healed and the bone fuses to the implant post, an artificial crown (cap) or a denture is fitted on top of that implant post/s. Bone usually takes 10-12 weeks to fuse with the implant post.

Advantages of Dental Implants:

  • Improved aesthetics: Dental implants look and feel like natural teeth. They can restore your smile and help you feel great.
  • Improved function: Dental Implants function like natural teeth. It can restore full chewing power. Most patients are unable to differentiate between healthy natural teeth and implant teeth. It allows you to eat your favorite food with confidence. The traditional rocking denture can make chewing difficult. Even, teeth-supported fixed bridges take support from nearby natural teeth, known as anchoring or abutment teeth. Anchoring teeth that hold the bridge may get damaged and affect your bite especially when the span of the bridge is much longer compared to the number of anchoring (pillar) teeth. A poor bite, in turn, can affect your jaw joint (TMJ) and may result in pain, and headache. Dental implants don’t require any support from nearby natural teeth. That’s why; dental implants are superior to traditional dentures and fixed bridges.
  • Improved speech: Dental Implants allow you to speak naturally without the fear that dentures might slip. A slipping denture can make you mumble or slur.
  • Improved comfort and convenience: Implants eliminate the discomfort of a removable denture. They eliminate embarrassing situations that occur from the removable denture. Implants also eliminate the need for messy adhesives to keep the traditional denture in place.
  • Improved oral health: Dental implants don’t require alterations in adjacent natural teeth as required in traditional teeth-supported fixed bridges. The risk of dental decay or gum disease is high in traditional bridges because alterations create more in-accessible and non-cleansable areas among anchoring natural teeth. You have to take extra effort in cleaning natural teeth-supported fixed bridges. However, in implants, nearby natural teeth are left untouched or intact which improves your long-term oral health. Cleaning dental implants is much easier than other traditional prostheses. Individual implants allow easier access between your teeth. You can clean (brush and floss) your individual implants almost similar to natural teeth.
  • Prevent jaw-bone loss: Traditional dentures rub against the underlying bony ridges which gradually resorb (wear) your jaw bones. But the implant is fused into the bone and acts like a root of a tooth, thus it provides stimulation for new bone growth.
  • Dental implants can last a lifetime: Unlike dentures, implants generally do not need to be replaced after a certain period of time. With proper hygiene care, dental implants can last a lifetime. While the traditional dental bridge may last around 10 years. Dental implants are made from titanium, a biocompatible material that integrates with the jawbone.
  • Implants can be possible in worn-off bony ridges: Removable dentures can’t provide needed stability in cases of severely resorbed (worn-off) ridges, even if constructed with due care. However, in such cases, implants can be placed in the cheekbones or other facial bones rather than in jaw bones, and dentures or crowns are placed on top of them. Thus, implants can provide solutions in almost all cases.

Disadvantages of Dental Implants:

  • Waiting period: The implant procedure cannot always be completed in one appointment. A certain amount of time is required for the implant to fuse with your jaw bones. During this waiting period, temporary tooth/teeth are placed over the implants. However, immediate tooth-replacement implants are also possible in certain situations such as single-tooth replacement or if sufficient stability is achieved. In some cases, the implant is placed immediately after the extraction of the tooth. Immediate loading implants, otherwise known as immediate function, involves the placement of a restoration/cap within 48 hours of implant placement.1
  • An implant requires certain quality and quantity of bone: Patients with poor quality and quantity of bone can be managed with bone graft. With advancements in techniques, worn-off ridges are no more a contraindication for dental implants.
  • Surgical complications: Though implants are considered safe, complications such as bleeding, nerve injury, and infection cannot be ruled out. Poor oral hygiene and smoking can increase your risk of infection and could result in implant loss.
  • Expensive: Implants are significantly more expensive than dentures or teeth-supported fixed bridges, though people are happy to pay this for the permanence.

Who are eligible for Dental Implants?

A dental implant is one of the safest procedures, and most people are eligible for the same. Neither old age nor the lack of bone is a contraindication. With advancements in techniques, dental implants can be placed in the cheekbone or facial bones rather than in the jawbone in cases of worn-off ridges. However, they are few contraindications for dental implant treatment.

The following categories of patients who require special considerations before the placement of dental implants:

  1. Habit of teeth clenching or bruxism
  2. Heavy smokers

Though smoking is a risk factor for implant failure, it is not considered an absolute contraindication.2

  1. Patients on intravenous bisphosphonates

Dental implants are not contraindicated in patients on oral bisphosphonates.3 However, dental implants are contraindicated in patients on intravenous bisphosphonates.

  1. Patients undergoing radiotherapy for head and neck cancer

Radiation therapy reduces blood supply to the jawbone which could result in delayed healing and infection, especially after any trauma or surgery.

Studies have shown that dental implants placed before radiotherapy have a lower failure rate.

  1. Patients with psychological problems

Such patients are unable to provide the quality care required for the implants.

  1. Immuno-compromised conditions

Leukaemia (blood cancer), auto-immune disorders, etc.

  1. Pregnancy
  2. Children and patients under 16 years old (incomplete development of jawbones).

Your dental specialist needs to consult your medical specialist, and accordingly, a treatment plan will be designed that is right for you.

Which dental specialist is best for dental implants?

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and Periodontists are surgical specialists placing dental implants in the jawbone or facial bones. Prosthodontists are specialists in making and placing crowns or bridges, and dentures (either removable or fixed) on top of those placed implants. In some countries, periodontists, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, and prosthodontists are the only professionals certified by the respective dental councils to perform dental implant treatments. However, many general dentists or other dental specialists with additional training are not only placing dental implants but restoring them as well. People always seek out such specialists because all work can be completed under one roof.

Conclusion

Replacing missing teeth is important for oral as well as overall health, and a dental implant is the best way to replace your missing teeth. The first step is to consult with your family dentist. Your dentist will discuss various treatment options and refer you to a specialist/s that is right for you, your needs, and your medical status. However, they may perform the procedure themselves if they are trained enough and have years of experience in the same, or they may call different dental specialists, so patients can get the entire treatment done under one roof.

References

  1. Cochran DL, Morton D, Weber HP. Consensus statements and recommended clinical procedures regarding loading protocols for endosseous dental implants. Int J Oral Maxillofac Implants 2004;19 (suppl):109–113.
  2. Kasat and R. Ladda. Smoking and dental implants. J Int Soc Prev Community Dent. 2012 Jul-Dec, 2(2): 38-41.
  3. Cartsos VM, Zhu S, Zavras AI. Bisphosphonate use and the risk of adverse jaw outcomes: a medical claims study of 714217 people. J Am Dent Assoc 2008 Jan; 139(1): 23-30.

 

 

 

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