Modern Tooth Implant: What is the state of this art?

 
 
 
 
 
 

What is a Tooth Implant?

Everyone knows that you have to be careful choosing for the future of your dental health.

We've created this page to help you with the choices you have when planning for restorative dental work. You will be making decisions based on performance, appearance and how these choices fit within your personal budget.

Hopefully these articles will help you make the right decisions or at least help you to ask the right questions the nest time you visit your dentist or oral surgeon.

     
 
tooth implant illustration  

What are Tooth Implants?

Tooth implants are a type of artificial tooth root that is put into your jaw to allow the tooth to stay there. They are the right choice for people that have overall good health, and have lost a tooth because of an injury, gun disease, or other reasons.

Tooth implants actually have the ability to be of a greater benefit to the patient than bridgework, since there is no reliance on nearby teeth for the support of the implant.

Since tooth implants appear like your natural teeth, you will have greater confidence, and a greater chewing ability. Tooth implants have the potential to last throughout your life if they are well cared for. Some of the benefits of tooth implants are:

  • Have the ability to replace a lost tooth without needing other teeth for support 2.
  • Can provide the proper support for bridgework without the need for a partial denture 3.
  • Gives added support to a denture, giving it more stability and allowing for a greater comfort level.

There are two different types of implants that are used right now:

  • Endoseal- This is a type of tooth implant that is actually in the bone. It is the most common type used. Different types feature screws, blades, or cylinders that are put in surgically right in the jawbone. Every implant can hold either one of more artificial teeth. Most of the time, these kinds of implants are used for people that have removable dentures or bridges.
  • The next kind is Subperiosteal, and this is when tooth implants are placed on the top of the jaw with metal posts going through the gum to keep the implant in place. Usually, these kinds of implants are reserved for people that cannot wear dentures, and have short bone height.

Tooth implants have many terrific benefits for patients, like allowing you to eat correctly, and enunciate words properly. They also give a great boost in confidence since you will no longer have to hide your smile from the world due to teeth that are missing. Also, tooth implants have a very high rate of success, so you can feel comfortable in your decision.

To be the right candidate for tooth implants, you need to have the correct amount of bone in your jaw that will allow it to successfully hold the implant in place. The best candidates will have gum tissue that is healthy, and not suffer from any type of periodontal disease.

The most qualified people to do tooth implants, along with your dentist, are periodontists, since they are experts in this area. They have everything needed to ensure your teeth look as natural as your original ones.

With tooth implants, you can finally have the smile you have been yearning for, and the ability to speak correctly, and chew your food better.


 
 
 
illustration of tooth implant in jaw  

Additional Tooth Implant Information

If you plan to have tooth implants, you may be wondering exactly what will happen during the procedure. When

you have more information on the subject, you can feel much more at ease.

The tooth implants will be placed in your jawbone while you are under anesthesia. If you are having several implants done, this process can take quite a while. Some people have various pain levels, which usually go away after a few days. As with many surgeries, some swelling and bruising is to be expected soon after the procedure is finished.

The procedure for tooth implants is a surgery that takes three to six months to heal before the restoration, or crown, can be put into place. This time of healing is when the bone is able to grow around the titanium implant that makes it an extremely strong support. It is very rare, but tooth implants can be rejected by patients. If this happens, they are generally replaced with a tooth implant that is bigger in size. After you have a tooth implant procedure done, you will have to avoid wearing dentures for up to two weeks. When the implant is successful, and everything has healed properly, the dentist will put a crown on the implant that looks very natural.

If you are only missing a single tooth, your cosmetic dentist may decide to implement a Flipper to fill in the space. This is a type of artificial tooth that is put in the place of a missing tooth until a permanent crown can be placed there. A flipper is attached either by a plastic piece, or wire that is placed on the roof of your mouth. These are only temporary solutions while you wait for the crown to be put in place.

If you are a person that has plenty of bone where your teeth are missing, then tooth implants could be the right solution for you. If it is discovered that you do not possess the right amount of bone, then a bone graft may have to be done before the procedure can take place. This is where the bone is built up to make it large enough for a tooth implant to be successfully anchored to your jawbone. Usually, the bone used for grafts is collected from other places in your mouth. If not, then the bone may need to be collected from the hipbone, and this requires a different surgery and operating room. The least preferred type of bone used is synthetic.

Tooth implants can be a wonderful way for you to have the smile you have wanted, and the natural look of real teeth. It can make your speech better, your self-esteem higher, and make it much easier for you to chew your food. If you think tooth implants might be for you, you should take a trip to your dentist, so they can determine if tooth implants might be the solution for you.
 
     
 
 
     
 
implant dentistry radiograph  

Basics of Implant Dentistry
Many people are now becoming more and more aware about the field of implant dentistry. Of course, the need to have better artificial teeth is behind such a growing interest so much so that dentures are becoming relics of a past age. And for those

who ask, dental implants will not necessarily make you the next bionic man, far from it.

Dental Implants Description

Dental implants are composed of two parts - the replacement root and the artificial tooth. Amongst dentists, commercially pure titanium is becoming the material of choice for the root because of its better tensile strength and fracture resistance. The artificial tooth is made so as to look, feel and function like any other normal tooth.

The dental implant is placed into the jawbone through an outpatient procedure. Basically, the dentist drills a hole into the jawbone, positions the titanium artificial root and then waits for a flexible period of time in which the bone and the implant will fuse. Then, the artificial tooth is screwed into place and voila! Implant dentistry has done its wonders again.

Candidate for Implants

It must be emphasized that only after an extensive evaluation by a qualified dentist will anyone be considered as a good candidate for a dental implant. Generally speaking, people of all ages that are missing one or more teeth, no thanks to disease, injury and decay, are good candidates. Of course, other considerations such as healthy gums, strong jawbone and good general health are also assessed.

Types of Implants

There are four types of dental implants, the choice of which depends on the dentist based on the assessment of the individual case. These types are briefly described as follows:

  • The most advanced technique in implant dentistry, bone grafting is applied to fill in or build up the jawbone defects in preparation for the dental implants.
  • Root form implants are usually utilized for people with wide, deep jawbones in order to replace one tooth or a complete arch of teeth.
  • Plate form implants are used on very narrow bones, thus, making them the flattest and longest dental implants.
  • Subperiosteal implants are custom-made since the jawbone may be too scant or too small for the regular root form and plate form implants. This type of dental implant sits on top of the bones but under the gums.

Treatment and RecoveryTime

Just as much as the type of implant will vary according to the individual, so will the treatment and recovery time. In many cases, practitioners of implant dentistry will provide an 18-month period within which to allow the implant to fuse to the bone, place the artificial tooth and then eventually heal for all intents and purposes.

It must also be noted that before placement of the titanium screw, complementary procedures like sinus lifting and bone grafting must be performed. Thus, the treatment and recovery time may be extended. Again, each individual will have his/her own period so it is impractical to set a standardized time.

After surgery, you have to practice good oral hygiene including brushing and flossing on a daily basis. Regular visits to the dentist are also required because of the maintenance necessary to maintain your new smile. Indeed, dental implants require the same care as your natural teeth.

For more information on implant dentistry, it is best to consult your dentist today.


 
 
 
implant dentistry surgical team  

Choosing the Right Implant Dentistry Team
Implant dentistry is a field where many professionals are involved in order to accomplish success for every patient. Indeed, it is not just the dentist at the forefront of success because other professionals like the dental hygienist, dental assistant and the dental laboratory technician as well as the insurance and treatment coordinators are behind it, too.

Knowing the Team

The best method to know the team is to secure information about their

names, credentials in terms of education, license and experience as well as their reputation in the implant dentistry community.Of course, the professional that should receive the most amount of scrutiny is the dentist - or the periodontist or the oral surgeon, as the case may be - since he will be performing the surgery for the most part. Plus, a dentist conscious of his reputation will hire people who are able to deliver on their responsibilities.

Just to briefly outline the education, license and experience requirements of the professionals, here are the descriptions per practitioner:

  • Dentist - A four-year course in dentistry in an accredited school is necessary to secure a license from the state. Check with the concerned government agency and professional organization to make sure that the license and diploma are indeed valid.
  • Oral Surgeon (Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon) - After graduation from Dental school, oral surgeons complete at least four years of surgical hospital residency before they are licenced in this specialty.
  • Periodontist - On top of four years of Dental school, an additional 3 years of specialty training in the treatment, prevention, and diagnosis of gum disease are required for this specialty.
  • Dental Hygienist - Either a 2-year associate or a 4-year degree course is acceptable as long as the school was accredited. Government license is also required.
  • Dental Assistants - Even high school graduates can be hired because on the job training is acceptable, but in most locals a two-year associates degree is required.
  • Dental Laboratory Technicians - Two year dental lab technology programs can lead to an associate degree or a certification which in turn leads to the required licence in some locations. Four year bachelor degrees are also available for thses specialists.

There are the members of the administrative staff of the implant dentistry team. You have to know the insurance coordinator as well as the treatment coordinator as they will work on your payment schemes as well as set up appointments for your dental visits.

Choosing the Team

The team members may be good but you still have to consider the other factors in choosing your kind of team. These factors include the equipment used, the location of the clinic and the cost involved, all of which will occupy almost the same weight in your considerations.

The tools used in dental implantations may look alien to you but it will be to your peace of mind if you see them looking like the latest in state-of-the-art implant dentistry equipment. You have to take a look at the operating theater, so to speak, and assess if it is clean, updated and organized even to a layman's eyes.

It will also be to your advantage if the dental clinic is within your area of work and/or residence. This way, you need not spend too much time traveling and too much on fuel costs.

Last but not least, make sure that you can afford the costs. Keep in mind that it can range from as little as $1,250 to as much as $30,000 depending on the amount of dental work necessary. Ask if the clinic has financing options especially when your insurance company will only cover part of the work or not at all.

Implant dentistry is a very beneficial field of the medical profession. However, the benefits are only possible if you have chosen the right dentistry team in the first place.