Dental implants are artificial tooth replacements that were first developed half a century ago by a Swedish scientist named Per-Ingvar Branemark. Implants arose from the patient’s need to secure loose-fitting dentures. Since the advent of the implant, engineering and enhancements to the implant have enabled dentists to expand the implant’s usefulness, including the replacement of missing or lost teeth. Today, implant techniques provide a wide range of tooth replacement solutions including:
- Single Tooth Replacement
- Anterior Replacement
- Posterior Replacement
- Full Upper Replacement
Types of Implants
There are three main types of implants:
- The root implant
- The plate form implant
- The subperiosteal implant
The root implant—by far, the most popular—is the most effective because it mirrors the size and shape of a patient’s natural tooth. This implant is often as strong as the patient’s original tooth. The implant or artificial root is placed into the jawbone under local anesthesia, then allowed to heal and integrate with the bone. Once the healing process is completed and the jawbone is attached to the implant, the patient returns to the dental office where the implant is fitted with the new tooth. This process generally takes anywhere from three to eight months.
The plate form implant is ideal in situations where the jawbone is not wide enough to properly support a root implant. The plate form implant is long and thin, unlike the root implant, and anchors into thin jawbones. It is inserted the same way as a root implant. In certain cases, the plate form implant is immediately fitted with the restoration without waiting for the healing process to run its course.
The subperiosteal implant is used when the jawbone has receded to the point where it can no longer support a permanent implant.
Advantages of Dental Implant Therapy
- A more predictable solution to replacing a missing tooth or teeth compared to other options
- A Dental Implant is more enduring when compared to the longevity of partial dentures or fixed bridges
- A Dental Implant and Crown are maintained similar to a natural tooth
- A Dental implant and crown look, feel and function similar to a natural tooth
- Unlike fixed bridges or partial dentures, this treatment option limits the compromise to your surrounding natural teeth
- Preserves both your oral bone and gum tissue
- Preserves your natural facial appearance
How Do Dental Implants Work?
Dental implants are made of titanium, an established material known for it’s acceptance by the body. The bone forms a natural mechanical bond with the implant providing a solid foundation for the dentist to build the replacement tooth or teeth.
Can Anyone Have Dental Implants?
Not everyone is a candidate for implants. Your doctor will inform you about the different factors that determine whether or not a patient fits the criteria of an implant recipient. Factors like pre-existing disease and bone loss can affect a patient’s ability to receive implants. It is now possible to regenerate bone in some patients through the use of grafting techniques.
Post Implant Care
Although proper oral hygiene is always recommended for maintaining good dental health, it is especially important when a patient has received a dental implant. Bacteria can attack sensitive areas in the mouth when teeth and gums are not properly cleaned, thus causing gums to swell and jaw bones to gradually recede. Recession of the jawbone will weaken implants and eventually make it necessary for the implant to be removed. Patients are advised to visit their dentists at least twice a year to ensure the health of their teeth and implants. Dental implants can last for decades when given proper care.