What are Dental Implants ?

Dental implants are fixtures of titanium which are surgically screwed into your jaw bone. The implant is an anchor for a naturally-appearing false tooth or a set of false teeth. The success rate of dental implants depends on where the implants are placed and their purpose. Implants are great for replacing missing teeth. It is important that you have enough bone in the area of the missing teeth for the implants to be attached to. Implants are not only used to replace one tooth, but rather people missing most, if not all, of their teeth benefit greatly as well.  

Are you a candidate for dental implants?

If you're missing one tooth or all of your teeth, implants may well be for you. So long as you have enough bone in the area of the missing tooth to facilitate the anchorage of the implants, this procedure can yield terrific results. If you don't have enough bone for this purpose, a bone graft may be necessary. Implants are an alternative to a fixed bridge. The implant will last a lifetime, but the crown on top of it will last ten to fifteen years.

Advantages of Dental Implants

replacement like implants is increasingly important as we get older. While dentures and removable bridges are usually loose and unstable, implants provide you with dental replacements that are both natural looking and very functional. Implants look much better, and feel better, than traditional removable bridges, and offer the same force for biting as natural teeth that are in good health. Implants will last your lifetime.
Dental implants have given countless patients many amazing benefits. 

• You will smile again
• Improved appearance
• Improved comfort
• Improved speech
• Eat better, enjoy more foods, better nutrition
• Convenience
• Improved self-esteem

Dental implants are also a great value for your investment. 

Disadvantages:

Implants are a major investment and not without risk. The extensive use of implants can cost tens of thousands of Dirhams to achieve a great result. It is also a very time consuming procedure when having many implants placed. As this procedure is surgery, it is very important to research and find a well credited cosmetic dentist that you are comfortable with. For some people there are varying degrees discomfort or pain, which subsides in a couple of days. As with similar types of surgery, bruising and minor swelling might also develop shortly after the procedure. The false tooth placed on top will need to be replaced in ten to fifteen years.

Overview

Implants: These are the most modern method of replacing missing teeth. They are basically substitutes for the natural tooth roots. They are made of titanium and are usually cylindrical in size. They might be threaded from outside too to increase the initial grip inside the bone. Today implants are used fairly commonly in dentistry. They have a good success rate, and can sometimes mean the difference between a patient having teeth, or going without anything. They are especially good for people who cannot wear a full denture because they gag, or because of severe bone resorption. They can be used to replace individual missing teeth, and in situations in which a standard bridge would not work, such as replacing back teeth where no posterior abutment is available for a retainer. Research shows that 85 percent of people who wear full or partial dentures experience some related discomfort and difficulty. Dental implants can eliminate those problems, restore self-confidence and improve the quality of life.
The process involves a thorough dental and general examination. Intra oral and OPG X rays are required. The first stage surgery involves the placement of specific size and shape implants at strategic locations in the mouth. This is performed after anaesthetizing the patient and giving an incision. Using special drills holes are made inside the bone at the locations where implants are to be placed. After the completion of the procedure sutures are placed. These might be resorbable or non resorbable type. Usually the healing is uneventful as the patient is on the prescribed drugs. A slight swelling might occur near the area of operation. It takes 2-3 days to subside. A temporary restoration is placed for the time being.
After 4-6 months the second stage surgery is performed to give a punch hole and the implants are exposed. Metallic abutments are screwed on top of the implants. The last stage involves the placement of crowns, bridges or over dentures as the final prosthesis. Implants can also be placed immediately after extractions. Dental implants can last a lifetime and are an excellent investment in oral health provided a patient can invest time into it!
Today implants are used fairly commonly in dentistry. They have a good success rate, and can sometimes mean the difference between a patient having teeth, or going without anything. They can be used to replace individual missing teeth, and in situations in which a standard bridge would not work, such as replacing back teeth where no posterior abutment is available for a retainer .They are especially good for people who cannot wear a full denture because they gag, or because of severe bone resorption. All the teeth can be either permanently fixed or could be used as an over denture.

What exactly is an implant?

A natural tooth has a crown - the part which shows above the gumline, and a root - the anchor hidden below the gumline.

When a tooth is missing, a dental implant takes the place of the missing root and a prosthetic crown replaces the natural crown.

The Implant Procedure

The implant procedure is the same whether one or all teeth are missing. In this example, there is only one missing lower tooth. For the purpose of demonstration we will assume the patient is healthy and is a candidate for this procedure.

Implant Site Preparation

The gum tissue is opened to expose the bone area where the implant will be placed. In situations where there is insufficient bone structure, bone grafting may be a recommended procedure.
Once healthy bone material has been established, a special drill is used to prepare the bone to receive the implant.

Placing the Implant

After the bone has been prepared, the implant is placed and the tissue is sutured.

The Healing Process - Osseointegration

The healing process takes three to six months. This is the amount of time it usually takes the implant to become part of the lower jaw, commonly referred to as Osseointegration.
The sutures are typically removed however, seven to fourteen days after surgery.

Attaching the Post

When the gum tissue is ready, a special post is attached to the implant. It is the support for the new porcelain crown.
Today's technologies often include zirconium abutments attached to the implant post, to assure that the new porcelain tooth possesses translucency properties similar to a natural tooth.

Placing the Crown

After impressions are taken a crown is made and shaded to match your existing teeth. The crown is then slipped over the post and cemented.

The Completed Implant

The final prosthetic crown appears as a natural tooth.

Applications of Implant Dentistry

In many cases, dental implants are incorporated into an overall treatment plan that might focus on the replacement of several teeth.
Some patients have the option of replacing each affected tooth with a new implant, depending upon the condition of the bone.
Other treatment plans may recommend implants for anchoring bridges and dentures.