DENTAL IMPLANTS

What is dental implant surgery?

Dental Implant surgery is a procedure which is carried out to replace the root of a tooth by a metal, screw like post made up of Titanium followed by the placement of an artificial crown which looks and acts like the real ones.

What are the different types of Dental Implants?

There are two types of implants and they can be described according to their shape, placement or by the procedure used to attach them to the jaw (single or two-stage).

ENDOSSEOUS -“within the bone”

These are commonly used for two stage procedure .They are surgically implanted directly into the jaw bone. Once the surrounding gum tissue has healed, a second surgery is needed to connect a post to the original implant.

Finally, a false tooth (or teeth) is attached to the post-individually, or grouped on a bridge or denture each implant holds one or more prosthetic teeth. This type of implant is generally used as an alternative for patients with bridges or removable dentures.

They are usually shaped like a screw or cylinder and are made either of metal, metal covered with ceramic or ceramic material.

SUBPERIOSTEAL -“on top of the bone”

These are commonly used for single stage procedures. These consist of a metal frame that is fitted just below the gum tissue on the jaw bone. As the gums heal, the frame becomes fixed to the jawbone .Post, which are attached to the frame, protrudes from the gums to hold the restoration.

The primary advantage of this type of implant is that it can hold dentures securely for individuals who do not have enough bone height.

What are dental implants made of?

Dental Implants Knoxville | Maryville | Oak Ridge | Cleveland TNA dental implant is a titanium implant post anchored into the jawbone as replacement for a missing natural tooth root and into which an artificial tooth is attached. The implant is held in place by new born growth stimulated by the anchor. The outcome is a very strong and stable tooth that is like a natural tooth.

Why choose dental implants?

Until only a few years ago, there were two options for dealing with missing teeth: dentures and fixed bridges. None of these offered a durable solution. Dentures are not set—they allow movement when you are eating or talking resulting in substantial bone loss (there’s no root attached to jawbone). Dentures also cause discomfort because of the likelihood of slipping. With bridges, adjacent healthy teeth may suffer adverse effects. After an individual loses his/her teeth, the bone slowly and irreversibly begins to melt away. Being without teeth for 10 or more years can cause up to 50 to 70 percent bone loss. This presents one with enormous functional difficulties because no denture can successfully rebuild that amount of lost bone, enable you to have normal function, and fit properly. Ill-fitting dentures will cause ulcers on your gums and problems with mastication of food in your normal diet. The most remarkable thing about implants is that, once placed, bone loss is stopped. Your body reacts to the implant as though it was a natural tooth and simply stops its restoration of the existing bone.

Before you can have dental implants, your mouth will be examined thoroughly and your medical and dental history reviewed. If dental implants aren’t suitable, we shall recommend an option to help you realize the best outcome.

How Surgery is done?

1. Preparation of the site – Damaged tooth is removed and jaw bone is prepared for surgery. Especially by a procedure called as bone grafting. Jaw bone is allowed to heal and it takes several months.
Note- Immediate implantation can also be done but it depends on a lot of factors.

2. Placement of implant – During surgery, in order to place the implant, the surgeon will cut open your gum and expose the bone. Hole will be drilled into the bone where the metal post will be placed. Since the post will serve as tooth root, it will be implanted deep into the bone.

Now after the placement of implant into the bone, two steps can be taken.

Surgical site is sutured. And after osseointegration, minor surgery will be done to attach abutment.
Healing cap can be placed during the first surgery to avoid another minor surgery to attach abutment.

Now the implant is given time for healing and osseointegration. It may take 3–6 months.

3. Attachment of abutment – Surgical site is reopened in case healing cap wasn’t placed earlier. Abutment is attached to the implant. And then the gum tissue is closed around, not over the abutment.

After the attachment of abutment, artificial crown is placed. Which is entirely a non surgical procedure?

Basically, this is how implants replace the teeth.

Do dental implants need special care?

If you observe good oral hygiene (that is—brushing, flossing and regular dentist visits), dental implants should be able to work well for many years without any interruption.