What Is A Dental
Implant?
A dental implant is
typically a small screw shaped attachment usually made
from titanium. It is inserted within the jawbone
to take the place of a missing tooth root. Once osseointegration (when
the bone attaches firmly to the implant) has occurred,
a replacement tooth can be secured to the top of the
implant. This new tooth can look, feel and perform
just like a natural tooth. It is also possible
to use multiple implants to support a denture or bridge.
What Are The Benefits Of Implants?
- Implant secured or stabilised
replacement teeth are more comfortable than conventional
dentures because there is no slipping or movement. This
eliminates some of the key worries of dentures and
improves self confidence.
- Dental implants are the alternative
to bridgework for permanently replacing missing teeth,
eliminating the need to grind down healthy teeth.
- When teeth are missing the surrounding
bone begins to shrink. Dental implants can
help to maintain the shape and structure of the jaw
bone
What Is Involved In The Implant Process?
The implant process
normally involves several steps that take place over
a period of time from three to nine months. Although
there are various implant treatment methods, a typical
process often includes:
- Assessment Planning – At
this initial consultation, x-rays and preliminary
models may be taken, and then a written plan will
be produced which will detail the sequence of treatment
and its cost.
- Implant Placement – A
relatively simple minor surgical procedure that is
performed under sterile conditions in the dental
surgery under local anaesthesia, and if indicated,
supplemented by conscious sedation.
- Integration Period – Although
some implants can be loaded into function immediately
or soon after surgery, it is more usual that a period
of three months or more be allowed for the implant
to fully integrate before loading. Your own
denture or a simple adhesive bridge can be worn during
the healing process.
- The Restorative Phase – Once
integrated, the implants may need to be uncovered
and can be brought into function with a variety of
restorations. The replacement teeth are constructed
by a specialist dental laboratory working closely
with the dentist.
- Maintenance – To
maintain the health of the soft tissue, bone levels,
and the integrity of the restoration, the patient
must clean thoroughly around the implants as instructed
by the dentist, and should regularly attend for reviews.
Q Are implants safe?
A Implants
are a well-established, tried-and-tested treatment. 90
per cent of modern implants last for at least 15 years.
Q I have some of my own teeth. Can I still have
implants?
A Yes. You
can have any number of teeth replaced with implants – from
one single tooth to a complete set.
Q Can implants always be used to replace missing teeth?
A It
depends on the state of the bone in your jaw. Your
dentist will arrange for a number of special tests to
assess the amount of bone still there. If there
is not enough, or if it isn’t healthy enough, it
may not be possible to place implants without grafting
bone into the area first.
Q Do implants hurt?
A Placing
the implants requires a small operation. This
can be carried out under local anaesthetic with sedation
or with a general anaesthetic. You will not feel
any pain at the time, but you may feel some discomfort
during the week following the surgery. This is
usually due to having stitches in place, and the normal
healing process.
Q Can I have the new teeth straight away?
A No. The
implants need to bond (integrate) with the bone after
they have been placed. This takes at least 3 months
in the lower jaw and 6 months in the upper jaw. If
you are having one, two or three teeth replaced, you
will have a temporary restoration in the meantime. If
you have complete dentures, then you can wear them throughout
the healing period once they have been adjusted after
the surgery.
Q How long does treatment take?
A It
takes about 12 months from the initial assessment to
the time when the artificial teeth or dentures are finally
attached to the implants. However, if only the
lower jaw is involved then it may only take around 5
months.
A lot depends on how
complicated your treatment is. Your dentist will
be able to give you a timetable once the surgery has
been done.
Q Are the teeth difficult to clean?
A Cleaning
around the teeth attached to the implants is no more
difficult than cleaning natural teeth. However,
there may be areas that give you problems and you’ll
be shown methods to help.
Q If I had gum disease when I had my own teeth, will
I get it with the teeth attached to the implants?
A Yes,
if you don’t care for them well enough. If
you keep them clean, and don’t smoke, then you
should not have any problems.
Q Can I take the teeth out if they are fixed to implants?
A Most
artificial teeth attached to implants can only be placed
and removed by the dentist. However, if you have
complete dentures fixed to the implants by bars, then
you’ll be able to take them out for cleaning.
Q Do the implants show?
A Your
dentist will make sure that the implants won’t
show during all normal movements of the mouth and lips. You
will need to be able to see them, so that you can clean
them properly.
Q Do I have an implant for each missing tooth?
A No,
unless you’re only having a single tooth replaced. Normally,
five or six implants are used to replace all the teeth
in one jaw, as each implant can usually support two teeth. For
a few missing teeth, two or three implants may be used.
Q What if I get hit in the face?
A Implants
and the teeth they support can be damaged by an accident
in the same way that natural teeth can. However,
if the false teeth are damaged and the remnants are left
in the bone then they may be more difficult to remove
than natural teeth would be. After healing, new
false teeth can then be placed alongside the fragments.
Q What happens if the implant does not bond (integrate)
with the bone?
A This
happens very rarely. If the implant becomes loose
during the healing period or just after, then it is easily
removed and healing takes place in the normal way. Once
the jaw has healed, another implant can be placed there. Or,
the dentist can make a bridge, using the implanted false
teeth that have ‘taken’.
Q Is the treatment expensive?
A Unfortunately,
yes. However, in many situations, the cost of the
treatment is only a little more than the cost of more
conventional treatment with crowns and bridges.
There are advantages
to it, too. An implant to replace a single tooth
avoids the need to cut down the teeth either side for
crowns to support a bridge. Normal dentures often
mean you can’t eat or speak well, due to the dentures
moving about. But teeth attached to an implant
don’t cause this problem.
Q Where do I get this treatment?
A Talk
to your dentist, so you can be referred to a specialist
for assessment and treatment. Your dentist may
already carry out some or all of this type of treatment
and will give you the advice you need.
Remember to ask exactly
what treatment is proposed, what experience the dentist
has in this work, the total cost of the treatment and
what the alternatives are.
If you are unhappy
with any of the answers then do ask for a second opinion. You
will be spending a lot of time, effort and money so you
must be sure that you know what you are getting at the
end of treatment.
To download these details
in pdf form please click
here
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Dentsply Friadent stands for technologically innovative and high-quality dental implant systems. Over the past few years Dentsply Friadent has become one of the largest suppliers of implant solutions in the world. Visit their Patient Information website. |
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