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This page is only a partial explanation about dental implants, and it's provided to help you understand a little bit about them. It is not intended to be an adequate amount of information to allow anyone to decide if they should or should not have dental implants placed in their mouth. Only a licensed dentist can help you make that decision. |
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What is a dental implant? |
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| A dental implant is essentially a titanium screw that replaces a natural tooth's root and becomes an ‘artificial tooth root' where one or more teeth are missing. |
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| Technically, the dental implant is the 'screw' that's embedded into the bone. However, other components are required in order to form a compete assembly that allows the dentist to fasten a crown or denture to it - so that you end up with a complete, functional implant restoration. |
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| Technically, the "implant" is really only the screw that is placed into the bone, and the next component that attaches to it is referred to as the "abutment". The abutment is secured to the implant and the finished restoration is secured to the abutment. However, typically the complete assembly is referred to as the 'implant'. For purposes of simplicity, on this page we will use that same terminology. |
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| Dental implants are a basic step for prosthetic dentistry. There are many types of dental implants but they all perform the same basic function – to support some type of prosthetic dental restoration. |
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| Are dental implants a smart choice? |
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| Dental implants are generally accepted as the preferred method for prosthetic dentistry. |
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| Generally, implants make a crown or bridge restoration better because the dentist can fill the space (where a tooth was removed) with an implant and then place a crown on it without reducing the adjacent teeth – as is typically done with a bridge. |
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| They also work better for denture wearers for a different reason. When dentures are supported solely by the gums, the bone and gums tend to deteriorate over time as the bone and soft-tissue tries to deal with the hardness the dentures, the pressure resulting from chewing, and the fit and movement of the denture. |
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| If the denture is supported by a series of implants (6 implants is most common for a full arch), the gums and soft tissue don't have to support the denture so the gums and bone don't deteriorate as quickly. |
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| Who can have dental implants? |
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| Almost everyone is a good candidate for dental implants; however elderly people need special consideration because as we get older, our bones tend to degenerate and this may complicate or prevent the use of implants. Successful use of implants in the elderly may require the added complication of bone grafts in order to have sufficient bone structure for the implants. |
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| Additionally, some other heath conditions can adversely affect the person's chances of being a good candidate for dental implants. Only a dentist can evaluate and make the final determination. |
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How does a dental implant work? |
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To ensure that the dental implant is as strong as the natural teeth that it's replacing, it needs to remain very securely in place. All dental implants achieve the high level of stability through a process in which the bone eventual integrates with the implant (called osseointegration). |
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Basically, a small, precision hole (osteotomy) is carefully drilled into the jawbone and the implant is installed in the hole. Depending on the type of implant, there may be a period of time allowed for healing and bone integration. |
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| This integration with the bone is accomplished with a very high percentage of success as a result of years of refinements in implants. |
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| Implants have a variety of elements that help achieve complete integration with the bone. The implants' surfaces are treated to enhance bone integration. The surface of the titanium is roughened with a variety of treatments such as plasma spraying, chemical etching, or media-blasting. Some implants also have one or more holes drilled through the 'shank' to allow even better integration as a result of the bone growing through the holes. |
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| Who puts dental implants in the mouth? |
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| Implant surgery is typically performed as an outpatient procedure and done under some level of general anesthesia by trained and certified clinicians including oral surgeons. With special training to attain certification, and with special equipment, any dentist can place dental implants; however, since placing the implants is considered surgery, most dentists still refer the placement of the implants to an oral surgeon or a periodontist. |
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| We strongly recommend that you consider dental implants for your dentures and for your crown and bridge dental restorations. |
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