What are dental
implants?
Dental
implants are artificial teeth that
are anchored into the jawbone. Dental
implants consist of a replacement
tooth root, replacement tooth, and
a post that connects the two. The
process to surgically implant them
can take anywhere from six to eight
months to complete, as the bones must
be given time to grow around the root
and hold it in place. However, once
it is complete, dental implant surgery
- a form of cosmetic
dentistry - leaves the patient
with structural support, longevity,
and a natural look that is hard to
match with other tooth replacements.
Who
is a candidate for dental implants?
Candidates for dental
implants should have good oral health,
as poor hygiene can reduce the life
of the implant. Among other things,
the patient should have healthy gums
and enough bone in the jaws to provide
the implant adequate support. The
patient should also be committed to
future oral hygiene.
Conditions
that can be problematic or preclusive
to dental implants include:
- Smoking
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Systemic diseases such as diabetes
- Periodontal (gum) disease
- Chronic oral problems such as
bruxism (teeth clenching)
A qualified implant
dentist can further advise patients
on their candidacy for dental implants.
How
is dental implant surgery performed?
The procedure to place
dental implants varies depending on
the type of implant. There are several
types of implants; three of the most
common are the root implant, plate
form implant, and subperiosteal implant.
The
root implant, which is also
known as the endosseous or endosteal
implant, is put in place in three
phases. The doctor begins the first
phase of the procedure by administering
a local anesthetic. When this takes
effect, an incision is made in the
gum in order to access the jawbone.
Then, the surgeon drills into the
jawbone to create a space for the
implant, and it is inserted. The implant
root is typically made of titanium
– a very hard metal –
and is usually shaped like a nail
or screw. After the implant root has
been inserted, the gums are stitched
up.
Three to six months
usually pass between the first and
second phases. The bone is given time
to grow around the root and solidify
its position in the jaw. This time
is usually referred to as osseointegration.
After the implant root is sufficiently
stable, the dentist performs the second
phase, putting in the extension that
connects the implant root to the replacement
tooth. After a few weeks, the new
tooth is connected to the extension
in the final phase of the process.
The
second type of implant is the plate
form implant. It is long and
thin, and is typically used when the
jawbone lacks proper width to support
a root implant. This implant is applied
in a manner similar to the root implant,
though its placement may not have
to be divided into as many steps:
the extension and tooth portion may
be put in along with the plate all
in one step.
A
third type of dental implant is the
subperiosteal implant. It
is used in cases where the jawbone
has receded to the extent that there
is not enough bone to sufficiently
hold an ordinary implant. The subperiosteal
implant is placed directly on top
of the jawbone, and the gums hold
it in place. The procedure to install
this implant begins with an analysis
of the patient’s specific jaw
and gum structure. The patient will
either have a CT scan or will have
a mold of the mouth created, so that
a dental lab can manufacture custom
implants. Their implantation starts
with the administration of a local
anesthetic and an incision in the
gums. The metal framework of the implant
is placed directly on top of the jawbone,
and the incisions are stitched up
around the new tooth. The gums grow
in to hold it in place.
If you are interested
in dental implants, you may want to
contact a qualified cosmetic dentist
for more information.
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