Dental Implants

What are dental implants?
Dental implants are used to replace a missing tooth or teeth. They are synthetic metal posts or screws, made of Titanium usually covered with hydroxyapitite, a tooth colored crystalline material. Implants are surgically placed inside the jaw bone to act like the root of a tooth. Once they are firmly fused to the bone, known as osteointegration, a prosthesis (crown, bridge or a denture) is placed over them. If you have missing teeth then Dental Implants may be an ideal restoration for you.

Advantages of implants over dentures:
For some people, particularly persons with loose or poor fitting dentures due to flat ridges, or persons with multiple missing teeth who need support for crowns and bridges, implants may be considered a more appropriate alternative to fix the appearance of missing teeth than dentures. According to the American Academy of Implant Prosthodontics, implants help to accomplish the following:

  • reduce movement of dentures, bridges, and/or crowns
  • facilitate proper chewing
  • provide support and improved stability for removable dentures or fixed bridge work
  • approximate the "feel" of natural teeth better than dentures
  • promote "denture self-confidence", as speech and appearance are often improved

Who are likely candidates for implants?
There are many variables to be considered before placing an implant:

  • the patient must be healthy
  • healing abilities affected by a disease may affect the successfulness of an implant
  • a proper diagnosis must be made before an implant can be placed
  • placement and technique is specific to each individual candidate
  • to further prevent complications, the implant(s) must be treated properly by the patient and the dentist
  • heavy smoking and drinking may affect the successfulness of an implant

What are the different types of dental implants?
There are many different types of dental implants from which to choose, including:

  • an artificial bone substitute
    This type of implant involves a synthetic bone substitute being fitted on top of the bone to help rebuild the shrinking ridge and provide sturdy support for dentures. Because it is made of the same type of mineral found in natural bone, this type of implant bonds to the existing jaw bone.
  • endosteal implants
    This type of implant is inserted into the jaw bone to serve as the tooth's root.
  • subperiosteal implants
    This type of implant, usually an option for persons who can no longer wear conventional dentures, involves a specially-designedimplant that fits directly on the existing bone.Dental implants may either be inserted by a dentist specially training in implantology, or by an oral surgeon in a hospital.

Health risks and dental implants:
According to the American Academy of Implant Prosthodontists:

Implants are made of biologically compatible materials which have undergone extensive testing over a period of several years. Since these materials are largely metals, such as titanium, and have never been living tissue, there is no likelihood of causing an antigen-antibody response which could cause rejection similar to that which sometimes occurs with heart and kidney transplants.