Dental Implants

What are the advantages of Dental Implants?

Improved appearance. Dental implants look and feel like your own teeth. And because they are designed to fuse with bone, they become permanent.

Improved speech. With poor-fitting dentures, the teeth can slip within the mouth causing you to mumble or slur your words. Dental implants allow you to speak without the worry that teeth might slip.

Improved comfort. Because they become part of you, implants eliminate the discomfort of removable dentures.

Easier eating. Sliding dentures can make chewing difficult. Dental implants function like your own teeth, allowing you to eat your favorite foods with confidence and without pain.

Improved self-esteem. Dental implants can give you back your smile and help you feel better about yourself.

Improved oral health. Dental implants don't require reducing other teeth, as a tooth-supported bridge does. Because nearby teeth are not altered to support the implant, more of your own teeth are left intact, improving long-term oral health. Individual implants also allow easier access between teeth, improving oral hygiene.

Durability. Implants are very durable and will last many years. With good care, many implants last a lifetime.

Convenience. Removable dentures are just that; removable. Dental implants eliminate the embarrassing inconvenience of removing dentures, as well as the need for messy adhesives to keep them in place.

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What are the disadvantages of Dental Implants?

1. Their cost can be really high, particularly when replacing multiple teeth.
2. The fusion of the implant with your jawbone, necessary for completing a dental implant procedure, may take several months. During this waiting period, a temporary crown can be provided, though it won't possess the same strength as your eventual permanent replacement tooth.
3. The thin tissue might cause the metal implant to be visible, resulting in a dark appearance on your gum.

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How successful Are Dental Implants?

98%
Depending on the placement within the jaw, the success rates of dental implants may vary.

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Can anyone get Dental Implants?

For the most part, individuals in good health, eligible for routine dental extraction or oral surgery, can be potential candidates for dental implants.
Essential criteria include having healthy gums, sufficient bone to support the implant, and a commitment to proper oral hygiene with regular dental check-ups. However, heavy smokers, those with uncontrolled chronic disorders like diabetes or heart disease, and individuals who have undergone radiation therapy to the head/neck area should be assessed on an individual basis.

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How should you prepare for a Dental Implant Procedure?

The effectiveness of your post-oral surgery healing is influenced by your preparation. Your dentist will furnish you with detailed pre-operative instructions, which may encompass the following steps.
- Certain providers recommend starting a course of antibiotics before implant fitting to minimize the risk of infection after the procedure.
- If you have concerns about pain during surgery, discuss sedation options before scheduling your appointment. If you opt for sedation, ensure a trusted individual is available to safely take you home afterward.
- Prepare by stocking up on soft foods and drinks, alleviating concerns about meal choices during the recovery period.

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How painful are Dental Implants?

The majority of individuals who have undergone dental implant procedures express minimal discomfort. In most cases, the only discomfort experienced during dental implant procedures is associated with the injection of local anesthetic.

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How long it take to get Dental Implants?

The duration of the entire process ranges from 3 to 9 months, contingent on factors such as the quantity and type of implants, the necessity for a pre-implant bone graft, and individual healing patterns.

Before your appointment, dental x-rays and 3-D scans will be conducted to enable your provider to formulate the most suitable implantation plan.
The specifics of your procedures may vary, but here's the typical progression:
1. You'll receive local anesthesia (and possibly a sedative) to ensure comfort and pain relief.
2. The doctor will then insert a post or screw, typically made of titanium or zirconia, into your jawbone, serving as the foundation for your new tooth. This process can take 1 to 3 hours, depending on the number of implants.
3. Once embedded, the implant resembles a small metal bead on the gum's surface, covered with a healing cap by your dentist.
4. Patients usually wait four to six months for the implant to undergo osseointegration, bonding with the bone. Titanium tends to facilitate faster osseointegration compared to zirconia.
5. After bonding, the doctor places an abutment, a small connector securing the dental crown, on top of the implant just above the gum line.
6. Impressions of your mouth are taken by your dentist, serving as the basis for crafting an individual crown or implant-supported bridge.
7. The new tooth or teeth are custom-made to match the color and shape of your natural teeth.
8. Once the implant fuses with the bone, a dental crown is affixed to the abutment.
9. Follow your provider's recommended treatment plan, ensuring sufficient healing time between procedures to prevent movement of surrounding teeth. While some gum tissue growth over the healing cap or abutment is normal, any excess tissue will be removed before placing the crown.

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How long do the results of Dental Implants Procedures last?

With appropriate care, your implants are designed to last a lifetime. However, it's crucial to avoid habits such as chewing ice, hard candy, tobacco use, and consuming tooth-staining beverages like coffee and red wine.

While implants are highly durable, they may require some maintenance. Loose screws can be tightened, and chips in the crowns can be polished. If crowns break, stain, or you desire a replacement for any reason, they can be replaced.

In the event that any components of your replacement tooth detach, save them, and promptly consult your dentist. Avoid attempting to reassemble them yourself.

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What are the risks and side effects of Dental Implants?

While dental implantation stands as one of the most successful oral surgical procedures, be vigilant for these rare but potential risks and side effects:
1. Infection: Although uncommon, infection at the implant site may occur. Surgeons often prescribe antibiotics post-procedure as a precaution. Foul odor from the gum line could indicate infection.
2. Peri-implant disease: Inflammation in the gum tissue around the implant, if untreated, may lead to bone deterioration. Maintaining cleanliness of the implant and crown, avoiding smoking, and monitoring for redness along the gumline can help prevent this.
3. Implant failure: Individuals with compromised healing abilities due to conditions like heart disease, periodontal disease, or autoimmune disorders (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis or diabetes) may experience implant failure. Those undergoing head and neck radiation, heavy smokers, and individuals on heartburn and antidepressant medications are also at risk.
4. Nerve damage: Temporary or permanent numbness, tingling, or pain in or around the mouth may occur. The risk of permanent nerve damage is minimal when treated by a qualified specialist.
5. Sinus problems: Placement of dental implants in the upper jaw may lead to sinus issues if they protrude into the sinus cavity.
6.Breakage: While rare, there is a possibility of a replacement tooth breaking, especially if the surgeon uses the correct size and number of teeth for your mouth.

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Are there alternatives to Dental Implants?

If you have a full set of teeth without the need for extractions, there are potentially simpler and more cost-effective alternatives to dental implants. Consult your dentist to explore whether crowns, bridges, or veneers might be suitable options for you.
Dentures and dental bridges serve as common alternatives to implants for artificial teeth. Discuss these alternatives with your dentist:
1. Tooth-supported fixed bridge: Involves grinding down adjacent healthy teeth to support the bridge.
2. Resin-bonded bridge (Maryland bridge): Typically used for front teeth, with small wings attaching to adjacent healthy teeth. It offers a better appearance and function than dentures but is less sturdy than a fixed bridge and has a shorter lifespan.
3. Removable partial dentures: Economical but not as natural-looking as an implant-supported crown, these are fitted to the roof of the mouth.
4. Removable complete dentures: This horseshoe-shaped denture rests on the gums, being more affordable than implants but prone to movement, chafing, potential jawbone issues, and requiring replacement every 7 to 15 years.

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