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Implant Dentistry

Overview

A dental implant is a titanium post that is surgically positioned into the jawbone beneath the gum line that allows your dentist to mount replacement teeth or a bridge into that area. An implant does not come loose like how a denture can. Dental implants also benefit general oral health because they do not have to be anchored to other teeth, like bridges.

Oral Care Specifics to IMPLANTS

If you are planning to go for implants, you must have healthy gums and adequate bone to support the implant. If your bone is too thin/soft and is unable to support an implant, you may require a bone graft. In case there is not enough bone height in the upper jaw or the sinuses are too close to the jaw, you may require a sinus lift.

Discovery of Dental Implants

A Swedish research team lead by Dr. P.I. Branemark uncovered that bone can bond with titanium. He called this bone-implant- interface ‘Osseointegration’. This was the beginning of implant dentistry. The rate of success of dental
implants is connected to this discovery. In 1982, the team reported a 91 percent success rate in the lower jaw over 15 years. The success rates have improved to 96 percent. Most implants are titanium screws.

Factors in Dental Implant Placement

There are important factors in achieving success including a traumatic surgery with low-speed drills and the experience of the surgeon—doctors that place fewer than 50 implants per year have more complications. The patient is supposed to have the right bone quality and content to initially stabilize the implant. Essentially, the patient should have at least 8 mm of the vertical height of bone and 6 mm of width. If there is a lack of bone, there are many bone-grafting procedures that can be performed. We can utilize bone harvested from the patients’ lower jaw/bone harvested from cadavers or bovine bone.

It is important for the doctor to perform a thorough medical history and clinical exam with the patient. There are some medical problems that make implants contraindicated, if the patient has brittle diabetes, liver disease, or a severe bleeding disorder, then he or she is not a candidate for implants. The oral examination comprises bone quantity and quality, the type of opposing dentition, and the type of tissue. Following this, a radio graphic exam is
performed, taking a panoramic film and 3 D cone beam to plan the exact position the implants need to be placed.

After the proper examination, a surgical guide is made to be used during surgery to guide the placement of the implant. Usually, antibiotics are given an hour prior to surgery. The surgery can be performed under local anesthesia or IV sedation.

An incision is made in the area of the missing teeth and a flap is opened up. Then, a preparation in the bone is made using various size drill bits in a low-speed hand piece. It is made as long and as wide as the bone in the area. The implant placed is made of titanium with a roughened surface. The implant is screwed into the preparation. If a part of the implant’s surface is uncovered with bone, a bone graft must be placed. Then, the tissue flap is replaced and sutured in place. The implant must stay in place undisturbed for 4 to 6 months so Osseointegration can take place. At the time of the healing phase, the patient can still wear their partial or full denture. After the implant has integrated, the teeth can be placed.

The concept of Implant Dentistry enhances the quality of life for anyone who has lost a tooth and is wearing dentures, allowing them to smile and chew with ease.

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