Dental Implants

Information About Dental Implants

When teeth are lost or missing, many problems can arise.  Among them:

• Loss of surrounding bone in the jaw
• Movement and shifting of adjacent teeth
• Changes to the bite and chewing difficulty
• Breakdown of remaining teeth
• Potential TMJ dysfunction
• Changes to facial profile resulting in premature aging
  

Figs. 1 & 2
(1) Diagram of a recent tooth extraction & (2) damage to surrounding teeth over time if tooth is not replaced.

 

Today, we have the ability to replace teeth using dental implants.  Dental implants are a form of artificial root replacement that form the foundation for replacement teeth to function, feel and look like natural teeth.  The advantages to dental implants are many.  Dental implants are permanent and as such, do not come out like dentures.  Dental implants also do not rely on surrounding teeth for support, thus healthy tooth structure from adjacent teeth does not need to be ground down.  Also, the implants actually help to preserve bone that is lost from the extraction process by substituting for the stimulation that was provided by natural tooth.  Advantages of dental implants include:

• Increased chewing ability due to increased stability and natural chewing sensation
• Improved esthetics
• Does not compromise neighboring teeth by grinding them down to support replacement tooth options
• Function and feel of natural teeth
• Elimination of ill-fitting and painful dentures
• Minimal bone loss at missing tooth site
  

The Implant Process
The placement of a dental implant involves a sequence of events.  Initially, an infected, damaged, or otherwise non-restorable tooth is removed.  Sometimes an implant can be placed at the very same appointment a tooth is removed.  If this is not possible, then healing of the extraction site will take place.  If there has never been a tooth at the desired site of placement, many factors such as space between teeth (is there enough room for an implant?) or thickness of bone (is the bone present adequate to hold an implant?) is evaluated.

When the implant site is ready for placement, the titanium implant is placed in the bone under the gum tissue. After osseointegration (the process whereby bone grows into the implant itself, fusing it to the jawbone) the impant is ready to be fitted for a crown, bridge, or even full denture depending on the number of teeth to be replaced.

Fig. 3
Diagram Of An Implant Supported Crown

Fig. 4
Front Tooth Missing And Ready For Implant Placement

 

Fig. 5
Final Restoration After Implant And Crown

Fig.6
Full Smile Of Patient After Implant And Crown Placement

Fig.8
Diagram Of Implant Supported Crown In The Back

Fig.9
Back Tooth Missing Before Implant (Note How Molar Behind Space Has Started To Tilt Forward)

Fig.10
Final Restoration After Implant And Crown

Dental implants have many applications. Not only can they be used to replace individual teeth as seen above, but they can also anchor bridgework to replace many teeth simultaneously and if they can even be used to anchor a complete denture when there are no teeth present whatsover! Many complete denture patients complain of the lack of stability, compromised esthetics, and loss of confidence associated with loose dentures. When anchoring a complete denture with as little as two implants, the stability and return of functionality is dramatic. Many dentists feel that when a complete lower denture is needed, the standard of care should be to anchor the denture with no less than two implants because the retention and stability of a complete lower denture without implant support is so poor.

Fig.11
Diagram Of Implant Supported Overdenture

Implant technology is full recognized as a viable, proven alternative to older methods of replacing teeth. Because there are so many advantages to dental implant function over other methods, we encourage you to consider this exciting treatment when a tooth, or many teeth, need replacement. A consultation with our dentists here will help you to decide if implants are right for you.