Tooth implants:
Because of tooth implants‘ advantages over earlier treatments like dentures and bridges, tooth implant technology has become the state-of-the-art tooth replacement solution.
What is a dental implant?
Basically, tooth implants replace your missing tooth or teeth by acting as a tooth root inside the jaw bone, and a crown is inserted on top of it, so that it looks like a natural tooth.
Implants not only resemble natural teeth; they also function like natural teeth, as tooth implants are integrated within the jaw bone, making them permanent.
Who needs tooth implantS?
If you have one or more missing teeth or have broken or decayed teeth that are beyond repair or are feeling uncomfortable with your dentures or bridge, then an implant is your best solution.
STRUCTURE OF TOOTH IMPLANTS:
- Implant post
- Abutment
- Crown
The implant post:
the post goes inside the bone and fuses/integrates with the jaw, allowing it to act like a replacement tooth root.
ABUTMENT:
An abutment is the metal part that serves as a base for the crown. It serves as a connector, with one part attached to your jawbone while the crown is fitted on the other end.
CROWN
The part that looks like your natural teeth. People commonly refer to them as “caps.”
TYPES OF TOOTH IMPLANTS:
SINGLE-PIECE TOOTH IMPLANTS:
- The implant and abutment are fused.
- It is a single-sitting surgical procedure.
- Less time-consuming.
- Immediate loading can be done.
- A wide range of sizes and designs are available according to bone available.
- Maintenance is very simple.
TWO-THREE PIECE IMPLANTS:
- Implant and abutment are separate.
- Spread over 2 or 3 sittings in a period of 3-6 months.
- Delayed loading.
- Limited sizes and designs.
- Maintenance is more complex.
PROCEDURES INVOLVED IN GETTING TOOTH IMPLANTS:
A dental implant is usually done in stages, with a series of minor operations and tests.
Step 1: Scans and x-rays are performed to provide us with a very good idea of where to place the implant.
Step 2: To ensure that you are pain-free during the procedure, an anaesthetic will be administered.
Step 3: The dental implant is fitted into the jawbone by making pinholes. One must wait until the bone has properly healed.
Step 4: During the healing process, the implant gets integrated with the jaw bone.
Step 5: When the implant is stable, we will lay the foundation for the new tooth or teeth.
Step 6: To make the new teeth, we will make impressions of your teeth and create a model of your bite.
Step 7: Finally, the artificial crown is screwed or cemented into place.
BENEFITS OF DENTAL IMPLANT
- Restores the full chewing power
The biggest advantage of implants is that patients can eat, talk, brush, and floss normally. They can’t even make out the difference between their natural teeth and the implanted teeth.
- Dental Implants are Biocompatible
Implants are basically made up of titanium, which is non-toxic and not rejected by the body.
- Dental implants are Durable
As implants are integrated with the jaw bone, they can last a lifetime with good care.
- Dental implants maintain the oral health
The gap present because of the missing tooth acts as a house of bacteria and infections due to food accumulation and leads to gum diseases.
This gap makes the adjacent tooth drift into the space and affects your bite, your ability to chew, and your appearance, and might also lead to temporomandibular joint issues, which may result in pain and headaches.
- Tooth implants maintain the jaw bone level:
When there are missing teeth, it leads to recession of the jaw bone, and this bone loss continues over the years.
So it is best to get implant treatment as early as possible in the first year of losing a tooth.
Dental implants improve self-esteem.
Dental implants can give you back your smile and help you feel better about yourself.
As there is continuous bone loss, it leads to facial sagging, the excess appearance of wrinkles around the mouth, and making the person look a lot older than his/her true age.
Is the dental implant procedure painful?
The treatment is carried out under anesthesia, so the patient may not experience any pain.
A few patients might feel very little discomfort, which is less than a tooth extraction.
- WHO CAN GET DENTAL IMPLANTS:
- In most cases, anyone healthy enough to undergo a routine dental extraction can be considered for a dental implant.
- Patients should have healthy gums and enough bone to hold the implant.
- Patients need to be committed to good oral hygiene.
- Heavy smokers, people suffering from uncontrolled diabetes, and patients who underwent radiation therapy for head or neck area need to be evaluated on an individual basis.
- If you are considering implants, talk to your dentist to see if they are the right solution for you.
SUCCESS RATE OF DENTAL IMPLANTS:
The success rate of dental implants varies but is about 98%.
With proper care, implants can last a lifetime.
