Dental Implants have changed the face of dentistry over the last 25 years.What are dental implants? What is the history of dental implants? And how are they used to replace missing teeth? This section will give you an overview of the topic of dental implants, to be followed by more detail in additional sections.
As with most treatment procedures in dentistry today, dental implants not only involve scientific discovery, research and understanding, but also application in clinical practice. The practice of implant dentistry requires expertise in planning, surgery and tooth restoration; it is as much about art and experience as it is about science Let’s start from the beginning: A dental implant is actually a replacement for the root or roots of a tooth. Like tooth roots, dental implants are secured in the jawbone and are not visible once surgically placed. They are used to secure crowns (the parts of teeth seen in the mouth), bridgework or dentures by a variety of means. They are made of titanium, which is lightweight, strong and biocompatible, which means that it is not rejected by the body. Titanium and titanium alloys are the most widely used metals in both dental and other bone implants, such as orthopedic joint replacements. Dental implants have the highest success rate of any implanted surgical device. Titanium’s special property of fusing to bone, called osseointegration (“osseo” – bone; “integration” – fusion or joining with), is the biological basis of dental implant success. That’s because when teeth are lost, the bone that supported those teeth is lost too. Placing dental implants stabilizes bone, preventing its loss. Along with replacing lost teeth, implants help maintain the jawbone’s shape and density. This means they also support the facial skeleton and, indirectly, the soft tissue structures — gum tissues, cheeks and lips. Dental implants help you eat, chew, smile, talk and look completely natural. This functionality imparts social, psychological and physical well-being. The big question is, “Are dental implants right for me?” The section onunderstanding dental implants will describe the factors that contribute to implant success including:
Where and how implants are placed requires a detailed assessment of your overall stomato-gnathic system (“stoma” – mouth; “gnathic” – jaws), within which the teeth function. This will necessitate compiling records that include study models of your mouth and bite, and specialized radiographs (x-rays), which may include 3D scans known as computerized tomograms (CT scans). Planning with the help of computer imaging ensures that dental implants can be placed in exactly the right position in the bone. How and why is bone lost when teeth are lost? Bone needs stimulation to maintain its form and density. In the case of alveolar (sac-like) bone that surrounds and supports teeth, the necessary stimulation comes from the teeth themselves. When a tooth is lost, the lack of stimulation causes loss of alveolar bone. There is a 25% decrease in width of bone during the first year after tooth loss and an overall decrease in height over the next few years. The more teeth lost, the more function lost. This leads to some particularly serious aesthetic and functional problems, particularly in people who have lost all of their teeth. And it doesn’t stop there. After alveolar bone is lost, the bone beneath it, basal bone — the jawbone proper — also begins to resorb (melt away). How can bone be preserved or re-grown to support dental implants? Grafting bone into the extraction sockets at the time of tooth loss or removal can help preserve bone volume needed for implant placement. Surgical techniques are also available to regenerate (re-grow) bone that has been lost, to provide the necessary bone substance for anchoring implants. In fact, a primary reason to consider dental implants to replace missing teeth is the maintenance of jawbone. Bone needs stimulation to stay healthy. Because dental implants fuse to the bone, they stabilize it and prevent further bone loss. Resorption is a normal and inevitable process in which bone is lost when it is no longer supporting or connected to teeth. Only dental implants can stop this process and preserve the bone. How are dental implants placed and who places them? It takes a dental team to assess and plan dental implant placement and restoration — the fabrication of the crowns, bridgework or dentures that attach atop the implants and are visible in your mouth. The dental team consists of a dental surgical specialist — a periodontist, oral surgeon, or a general dentist with advanced training in implant surgery; a restorative dentist, who plans and places the tooth restorations; and a dental laboratory technician who fabricates them. Placing dental implants requires a surgical procedure in which precision channels are created in the jawbone, often using a surgical guide. The implants are then fitted into the sites so that they are in intimate contact with the bone. They generally require two to six months to fuse to the bone before they can have tooth restorations attached to them to complete the process. What are the options for implant tooth replacement? Single Tooth Replacement:Immediately (at the same time an implant is placed) or after a period of healing, an abutment is attached to the implant. This is a device that “abuts” or joins the implant to a tooth form called a crown, which replaces the tooth part you see in the mouth. It will hold a custom-made crown that the dental laboratory will fabricate and match to your existing teeth. The custom crown is cemented or screwed onto the abutment to permanently keep it in place. Once the crown is in place, it should be indistinguishable from your natural teeth. Fixed Multiple Tooth Replacement: As with single tooth replacement, temporary healing caps or abutments may be placed on multiple implants until the healing phase is complete. After healing, permanent abutments are attached to the implants. They can attach to custom-made crowns or bridgework that a dental laboratory will fabricate to match your existing teeth. In the final step, the custom bridge, which will replace multiple teeth, is cemented or screwed onto the abutments. The teeth have been replaced without disturbing the healthy teeth next to them, and bone loss has been halted. Removable Implant-Supported Tooth Replacement: If all of your lower teeth are missing, depending on the design of the removable restoration, two to six implants may be used to support a lower denture. If all of your upper teeth are missing, a minimum of four implants may be used to support an upper denture. Removable dentures are often used to replace extensive tooth, bone and gum-tissue loss, thus providing support for the facial skeleton, lip and cheeks. A new denture can have attachments that snap or clip it into place on the implants or a custom made, milled bar can be fabricated to create additional strength and support for the restoration. Design variations are often related to your bone density and number of implants present; your dentist will discuss these options during your consultation. A significant advantage of a removable denture is facilitating the cleaning of the dental implants. How do implant tooth replacements differ from teeth? Natural teeth and dental implants may look the same, feel the same, and even function in a similar way, but they are very different. The most important differences are in the way they attach to the surrounding bone, their response to dental disease, their maintenance, and repair. Teeth attach to the surrounding bone by a periodontal ligament (“peri” – around; “dont” – tooth) made up of collagen fibers that join into the tooth on one side and bone on the other. Dental implants fuse directly to the bone. The gum tissues also attach to the root of a tooth with collagen fibers as described above. However, gum tissues can only stick to the surface of dental implants. Teeth are susceptible to dental decay as well as the need for root canal therapy; dental implants are metal and do not decay or need root canal. Teeth may also be susceptible to periodontal (gum) disease, while dental implants may be susceptible to peri-implantitis, an inflammatory response to bacterial biofilm of the tissues surrounding the implant, which can result in disintegration of the bone to the implant. What type of maintenance do dental implants require? Implant crowns and other prosthetic (false) tooth replacements are made to be remarkably failsafe systems. They are removable and replaceable (only by your dentist), so that if damage or wear necessitates replacement, this can be accomplished without affecting the implant(s) or attachment to the bone. Nevertheless, implants do require maintenance. It is important to practice good daily oral hygiene, including brushing and flossing to control bacterial biofilm. It is also important to see your dentist and dental hygienist. Special instruments are necessary to clean dental implants that will not damage their metal surface beneath the gum tissues. Your dentist will need to monitor your implants to make sure the integrity of the osseointegration is stable, and that the implant crowns, bridgework or dentures are functioning adequately. The purpose of this guide is to help you choose the right dental services for you by arming you with important questions you should ask any dental office BEFORE agreeing to care. We are sharing insider secrets with you that most consumers don’t know. So let’s begin… Dental care is more comfortable, accurate, methodical, and practically pain free now than it ever has been. When most people think of going to the dentist, they think of pain, being uncomfortable, and are most likely scared. However, with new methods and advancements in dentistry, you can have more comfortable care with less pain and anxiety. In the past, people only thought of going to the dentist only when they were in pain, when now it is common to go to the dentist to prevent cavities and root canals, as well as make your teeth whiter, more attractive, straighter, stronger, and to treat and prevent gum disease. So if you are experiencing oral pain, bleeding gums, missing teething, or are looking for a straighter, more beautiful smile for you or your family …then a dentist may be the right choice for you! But Before You Are Convinced That Any Dentist Can Help You, You Must Be Aware That Not All Dentists Are The Same, And Choosing The Wrong Dentist Could Be A Big Mistake! In a moment, you will discover the questions you must ask before choosing any dentist. But first, let’s review what most dentists do, so you know why dentistry is so popular and effective for basic family care and for cosmetics, tooth replacements, dentures, crowns and bridges, cosmetics and so much more! Dentists do a wide range of things, from relieving pain, to pulling teeth, to assisting patients in achieving the whiter, brighter, more beautiful smile that they've always wanted. Some dentists specialize in helping people with getting stronger, more reliable teeth with procedures like placing crowns and bridges, some specialize in straightening teeth with braces which can take a couple years and some dentists specialize in assisting people in getting straighter teeth quickly and easily with a number of other, more cosmetic, treatment options. So what should you ask a dentist BEFORE agreeing to care? Let’s review these issues now: Prior to care, a dentist should ask detailed questions about your past and present dental health, and order x-rays or other tests when necessary. Whether you go to see the dentist for basic dental care or for cosmetic improvements, he or she should be looking for potential problems, such as cavities, gum disease, oral cancer, cracked teeth, weakened and oversized fillings, as well as ways to improve the strength, healthiness, and appearance of your teeth and smile. Then he or she will come up with a diagnosis and a Recommended Action Plan. So for starters… Do NOT agree to get care from any dentist that does not first provide you with a very clear explanation of: 1. What is causing or contributing to your problem, 2. An estimate of the costs involved, and 3. A Recommended Action Plan that details what specific care is needed…and why. Unfortunately, there are a small number of doctors, including Dentists who treat every patient pretty much the same, regardless of their condition. As you would expect, there’s a lot the doctor must know before you can decide what care is best for you, in your specific situation. He or she will want to know if your problem is caused, or aggravated by anything such as a broken tooth, missing tooth, or some structural problem. Or…is it a simple problem that can be resolved within a reasonable period of time? Here’s what you should know, and the questions you must ask before choosing a dentist: 1. "What areas do you specialize in? – The correct answer is: Some dentists are only proficient in treating certain conditions or doing certain treatments. Some doctors may specialize in implants, orthodontics, TMJ, cosmetics, family dentistry, and the list goes on. The problem is that some dentists have only done one or two cases for a certain condition, and this may not be to your benefit if you want someone more experienced. 2. “Do you take x-rays when necessary?” – Be sure to seek a dentist who takes x-rays to rule out fracture or a gross pathology (English translation – some other serious problem) as indicated by the consultation, health history and exam. Caring for a patient without x-rays is like flying in the dark without radar. Unfortunately, there are some serious conditions that can first express themselves with oral, or bone pain. There are some really quick and fast ways a dentist can now use X-rays, so you can watch them on monitor and he or she can show you what exactly is wrong and what the best treatment option would be. We often do this in our office. Our Digital x-rays lower radiation levels by up to 90% when compared to the old film type x-rays! If the doctor you’re consulting doesn't take x-rays before recommending treatment, you should consider talking to another dentist. 3. “Will you give me your recommendations in writing?” – This is very important. This allows you to go home and think about it before making a decision. Plus, it gives you an explanation up front of what the care will consist of, how long it will take, and how much it will cost. 4. “Can you furnish me with references?” - Ask for four references. Two of these references should be current patients, and the other two should be other health care professionals like other dentists. There are three reasons for getting patient and professional references. First, any person in practice should have at least three satisfied patients they can provide you with. Secondly, if a dentist cannot produce two other professionals that will attest to his or her ability as a dentist, he or she may not be respected by his or her peers. Last, other professionals in the community see all kinds of things, and will usually be aware of what kind of care is available, and what kind of quality is provided by different folks. Feel free to call the references you receive. You can never learn too much about the person you are considering using for your dental needs. Take the few minutes to talk to these people. 5. “Will you guarantee my satisfaction?” By law healthcare providers including dentists cannot guarantee results. But, for example, an office that offers the following warranty: “We’ll replace any treatment that we do that fails or apply any investment you made to additional treatment if necessary” shows you that they are putting their money where their mouth is. That’s how we stand behind our treatment at our practice. Make sure the doctor you choose is willing to stand behind their care. 6. “Do you have criteria for determining how many visits I need?” Some doctors do not have an objective method to determine how many visits are necessary to relieve your pain, or get you the desired result you are looking for, and to maintain your newly found state of excellent health.m They make subjective guesses about your initial treatment and progress. I do progress exams along the way to make sure we are on track. This procedure tells us exactly when we are done with the initial care, and how we are doing in maintaining the results you are looking for. That way you don’t get more visits than you actually need. Make sure to find out how the dentist you’re talking to measures progress, and whether it’s routine or not. 7. “Will you show me ways of preventing what you are treating?” – I saw a sign the other day in another dentist’s office that read, “Support your dentist, eat more candy”. Although I know he’s joking, we spend a considerable amount of time customizing simple and easy ways for you to keep your gums and teeth healthy…no matter what current problem you or your family is having. You’ll be thrilled to find out how quick and easy it is to prevent continuous and unnecessary dental problems. This ensures that you and your family will get the most out of your office visits, decrease the chance of having dental problems, and in the long run save you money! Well I hope this information will give you the confidence in taking the first step to regaining your health by experiencing the benefits of dental care. By the way, we do:
• Furnish you our recommendations and expected cost in writing • Furnish you with patient and professional references upon request • Stand behind our treatment • Provide you custom designed prevention techniques • If you are ready to make an appointment for your consultation call my office at +91 40 40200030 now, while this fresh on your mind…and you know EXACTLY what questions to ask BEFORE using me as your cosmetic, implant or family dentist. I hope this information has been helpful, and that whether you choose to come in to see us or not, that you've benefited from the knowledge you've been given. No matter what you decide to do, I wish you the best of health! Sincerely, Hormuzd K Vakil MDS Yatha Dental Care 127 MG Road Secunderabad 500003 To schedule an appointment please call +91 40 4020 0030 A consumer guide to modern dentistry was created to help you better understand the treatments and procedures available in dentistry to enhance your appearance and oral health.
This comprehensive site includes information on all areas of dentistry, with an emphasis on the burgeoning field of Implantology and cosmetic dentistry. You also will find information about cost, appropriate expectations, what's involved in each dentistry procedure, who makes the best candidates and the recovery time after completion of dental work. | Archives |
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