Dental Implants

Dental implants are the only artificial  true  replacement for lost natural teeth. Titanium implants are screwed or tapped into the bone with Bone Grafts if indicated, and prosthetic re-construction allows for replacement of lost teeth in esthetics and in function. The long term durability of modern implants is excellent , but favorable and detrimental factors require careful consideration. Good Healthy bone and tissues, good occlusion, and good hygiene are important. Systemic diseases , poor hygiene, smoking , poor bone quality and bruxism are unfavorable.

DENTAL IMPLANTS

It  is an advanced medical technology for the replacement of lost tooth / teeth.  A titanium implant is implanted in the toothless area of the jawbone.  The jawbone fuses with the titanium surface providing as strong anchorage for the implant. The implant functions as support for the dental prosthesis constructed over it.

BENEFITS

It can treat cases untreatable with conventional methods of dental bridges and dentures.  It prevents further resorption of the jaw bone following tooth loss. 

It can perfectly restore chewing function

It avoids cutting down and overloading the natural teeth occurring with conventional

means of replacing tooth loss. 

It helps restore a patient’s self esteem and confidence since it gives the feeling of  regaining the natural teeth .

It functions better than conventional dental bridges and dentures

It gives superior aesthetic results.

IMPLANTOLOGY PROCEDURES

The surgery can commence after thorough diagnosis treatment planning . A recipient site of the same size and shape as the implant is created in the jawbone with drilling and tapping  instruments.  The implant is inserted  into the site prepared . Usually a healing period of 3 to 6 months is required for the jawbone to fuse with the implant. The jawbone has different densities in different areas. The denser the bone ,  the shorter the  healing period. After this healing period,  the implant is usually surgically exposed with an incision followed by a 2 to 3 weeks healing period. Then the prosthesis is constructed over the implant and the treatment is completed. This final phase may take 1 week or even up to 4 weeks.  Usually a straight forward implant treatment takes about 4 to 7 months to complete.  Longer periods are required for complex situation such as cases  requiring bone grafting. Some cases may be attempted in a single phase by use of direct loading of implants.

Transitional implants may also be needed  to be used whenever immediate prostheses is indicated . These may be removed later or may be left un-disturbed in certain cases.

The implantology  procedures are  performed under aseptic conditions in a clinic with proper facilities and conditions  for implant surgery.  Local anesthesia is given for pain control during the operation. Intravenous can be given if necessary. Pain which may occur after the operation can be effectively controlled with oral medications.  The prosthetic part of the implant treatment does not require anesthesia.

 PRE-REQUISITES

A person will be a suitable candidate for oral implant if you fulfill the following requirements.

You must be medically fit to undergo ordinary surgery .

Your jaw must have enough bone to support the implant (If not , bone grafting may be required ).

There must be enough space  to accommodate the prosthesis over the implant.

You must understand what the treatment can offer.

You must realize to what extent the treatment can meet your expectations 

INDICATIONS

Consider oral implants  when -

You do not want to have your natural teeth cut down,  which is required in making your conventional dental bridge.

You cannot wear or chew well with your denture. You cannot tolerate a denture in your mouth .

You do not want to damage your remaining teeth from wearing a partial denture.

You have lost your back teeth making it impossible to construct a conventional dental bridge.

You have along toothless span which is not indicated for making a conventional dental bridge.

You want the  most effective way  of restoring your chewing function..

SUCCESS AND RISKS  IN  IMPLANTOLOGY 

Modern oral implant treatment is highly successful when proper principles  have been followed.  As a general guideline , the five – year success rate of oral implant is over 95% with the lower jaw ( mandible ) and about 90% with the upper jaw ( maxilla ). The success rates may slowly decrease as the implant stays longer in function.  In difficult cases , the success rates are expected to be lower. Despite the over all high success rates with oral implant treatment , there is still the possibility of failure which can be contributed by various tissue response and other systemic and local factors  such as poor healing power , poor bone quality , smoking and diabetes.

The service life of an oral implant can be affected by many factors -  high standards of treatment , meticulous daily cleaning by the patient , regular professional maintenance , abstinence from smoking and avoidance of overloading ( like chewing bones , shells , hard nuts and candies ). All the precautions can contribute to the durability of the oral implant. In view of the high success of modern oral implant treatment , an oral implant can be considered a long lasting medical implant that does not need to be changed . 

Whereas no medical treatment can be guaranteed 100 percent without risks and failures , implant operation can be considered very safe. The prosthetic phase of treatment is basically non – invasive and non surgical in nature

Associated side-effects include possible change in local tissue sensation , maxillary sinus perforation  and infection , undesired implant exposure due to bone resorpton , damage to adjacent tooth. The  problem may be usually minor but severity can vary in extent. 

 PLEASE READ THE ABOVE INFORMATION   CAREFULLY  ON THE COPY PROVIDED TO YOU AND ASK THE DENTAL SURGEON TO EXPLAIN ANYTHING YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND.