Are Dental Implants a Good Option For You?

If you have a missing tooth or teeth, dental implants should be considered as an option because the gap that is created in your mouth by a missing tooth or teeth can cause a myriad of problems from jaw misalignment to degeneration of your gum and jawbone. The good news is that age is not a limiting factor for dental implants in adults as long as you are in good health and have enough bone to hold the implant. Because bone and gum tissue are lost when the tooth root is no longer there to keep them stimulated and healthy, the longer a patient waits after losing a tooth to have implant surgery, the bigger the risk for not having sufficient bone becomes.



A good implant candidate typically has the following:



o Is in good over-all health

o Their gums are healthy with no existing periodontal disease

o Their jawbone has enough density to hold the implant

o They are committed to good oral hygiene

o They get regular dental check-ups



If you have all of these characteristics, but are unsure of your bone density because you lost your teeth several years ago and have been wearing dentures, implants may still be a viable option. Even if bone degeneration has occurred because of wearing dentures, with todays advanced dental technology, bone density and quality can be improved.



In some cases, your dentist may recommend bone grafting where a synthetic bone or bovine bone is grafted to your jawbone to give you the bone density and quality that is needed for a dental implant or implants. When ridge modification is required, your gum is lifted away from the area where your bone is insufficient for the implant and the area is built up using either bone or bone substitutes which help regenerate the bone and tissue that has been lost. Once the bone ridge has been rebuilt, the incision is closed and depending on your individual case, the implant may be placed at that time, or the bone may need to be allowed to heal and develop before the implant placement can occur.



If you have lost bone density in your upper back jaw, sinus augmentation may be required to ready your mouth for dental implants. Since that area of your mouth is in very close proximity to your sinus, if bone loss has occurred, the sinus floor can be raised and bone grafting can be done. There are several different techniques that can be used for developing bone in this area of your mouth and your dentist can discuss your best options with you.



There are, however, habits or medical conditions that impede healing in your mouth which can increase the possibility of implant failure. People who smoke, have uncontrolled diabetes, chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, or untreated gum disease or tooth decay would not be good candidates for dental implants. Your dentist will be able to assess whether or not these problems will prevent you from having dental implants.



An initial appointment with a dentist who is qualified to do dental implants will help you ascertain whether or not you are a good candidate for a dental implant or implants and what procedures, if any, may be needed to repair or build up your bone or gum tissues to ensure the success of your implants.

About the Author

Dr. Karl Smith has been in dental practice for over twenty-seven years. His specialties are periodontics, dental anesthesia and implants. People come from near and far to experience the comfort and professionalism of his office and patient-oriented staff. DrKarlSmith.com

What is the Procedure For Dental Implants?

The first step for getting dental implants is a consultation with a dentist who is qualified to do implant surgery. During the consultation, the dentist may use x-rays or a 3D CAT scan to determine the treatment plan that will be needed to replace your missing tooth or teeth. If your tooth or teeth have recently been extracted, the implant may be able to be done shortly after the extraction or loss, or the area may need to heal before the implant can be performed.



A dental implant which replaces one tooth has three parts:



o A titanium screw or cylinder that is imbedded in your jawbone

o An abutment which protrudes above the gum line to hold the artificial tooth

o The crown which looks, feels and functions like a normal tooth



If dental implants are being used to secure a bridge, partial dentures or full dentures, these structures are secured to the abutment as well. Depending on the bridge or partial, more than one implant may be needed to secure the prosthesis and when a full denture is involved, four or more implants are usually required.



Once you are determined to be a good candidate for dental implants and a treatment plan is created, your jaw is prepared for the implantation. An incision is made in your gum tissue to expose the bone where the implant will be placed. If your dentist had predetermined that bone grafting needed to be done to prepare your bone for the implant, the grafting would first be done. Once sufficient bone structure has been established, the bone has to be prepared to accept the implant.



Since a dental implant is either a titanium screw or cylinder that is placed in your jawbone, a small hole is drilled into your bone at the place where the screw or cylinder will be inserted. This procedure is done in your dentists office with local anesthetic. Once the hole is drilled, it is carefully widened to the appropriate size for holding the implant screw. The screw or cylinder is then placed into your jawbone and either a healing abutment, which pokes up through the gum tissue or a cover screw which is flush with your gum surface, is placed.



When the titanium screw or cylinder has been placed in your bone, a process called osseointegration begins where the implant actually becomes a part of your jaw. This process can take from three to six months depending on your individual health and bone quality and density. When your bone and gum tissue are healed and the osseointegration has taken place, an abutment (or post) which will support your tooth, bridge or dentures, is placed. If a cover screw was used in the initial process, once healing has taken place, an incision will need to be made in order to secure the abutment to the implant.



If you are replacing one tooth, the crown will be secured onto the abutment and will look, feel and function just like a normal tooth. If implants are being used to secure bridges, partials or dentures, the framework for the dental prosthesis will be designed with attachments that will fit securely onto the implant. Full and partial dentures that are implant supported can be easily removed for cleaning.



While there is some discomfort as your jawbone heals, implant surgery which is done by a dentist experienced in the process, is not painful. And the long-term benefits are many: good oral health, comfort, improved appearance, the integrity of your facial structure is not compromised from missing teeth and implanted teeth or implant-supported bridges, partials or dentures look, feel and function like natural teeth.

About the Author

Dr. Karl Smith has been in dental practice for over twenty-seven years. His specialties are periodontics, dental anesthesia and implants. People come from near and far to experience the comfort and professionalism of his office and patient-oriented staff. DrKarlSmith.com