DENTAL
IMPLANTS....................
SINGLE
TOOTH MISSING
Benefits
of an all-ceramic crown on implant:
When both the tooth
and root are damaged, the best permanent replacement is
a dental implant in conjunction with a ceramic crown. This
solution both looks and functions just like a natural tooth.
In this case, a so-called one-piece implant is used. This
means that all components are installed as a single unit,
resulting in immediately full functioning teeth, shorter
treatment time and minimized pain.
· Immediately
functioning teeth
· Excellent esthetic result
· Life long, stable solution
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Treatment:
This procedure normally includes four visits to the dentist.
You should expect to be able to work the day after having
the implant installed.
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COURSE
OF TREATMENT
INSTALLING
THE NEW TOOTH – STEP-BY-STEP
The course of treatment
described here is one of several options available. Consult
your dentist to find out what the best solution is for you,
given your specific condition.
1: Before the procedure
The dentist makes
a first examination and takes one or more x-rays of the
area to prepare for the procedure.
2:
Installing the implant
The implant is installed.
At this time, a temporary tooth is provided that allows
you eat and function like normal almost immediately. The
implant will need a few months to integrate with the jawbone
before the next step is taken.
3:
Attaching the new crown
The final step is
the placement of the permanent ceramic tooth. The new tooth
is installed for life. No additional treatment is needed.
4:
End result
You should expect
the new tooth to fit and function just like a natural tooth.
Do your usual dental hygiene to keep the tooth and gum around
it clean and healthy.
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ALTERNATIVES TO ALL-CERAMIC CROWN ON IMPLANT
Tooth-supported
fixed bridge
A traditional bridge
involves grinding down adjacent teeth to support the bridge.
It is a stable solution with good esthetics and function
that is fairly easy to install. However, this alternative
has two main disadvantages: continuous bone resorbtion in
the edentulous area, and sacrificing healthy teeth on behalf
of the bridge.
Removable
partial denture
This is not a permanent
alternative to a lost tooth. It is unstable and loosely
attached, which affects both function and comfort. A removable
partial denture is made of plastic – a material that can't
create the same esthetic result as a ceramic crown. The
benefits are few but do exist: adjacent teeth aren't affected.
It is easily and quickly installed and relatively cheap.
Resin-bonded
bridge
This alternative
has some clear advantages: it is quickly installed, functions
well and, since it is made of ceramic, it gives a high esthetic
result. Moreover, natural healthy teeth aren't affected.
But it is not very permanent. The resin-bonded bridge will
eventually come off – probably after just a couple of years
– and will then have to be reinstalled.
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Dental
Implants Frequently asked Questions
Is the concept
of dental implants a new one?
Interestingly, dental implants have been performed for thousands
of years. Egyptian mummies have been found with gold wire
implants in the jawbones. Pre-Columbian skeletal remains
exhibit dental implants made of semi-precious stones. Recently,
a Roman soldier was unearthed in Europe with an iron dental
implant in his jawbone. In the Middle East, implants made
of ivory have been discovered in skeletons from the Middle
Ages.
Modern implantology
began in the United States at the beginning of the 20th
century. However, popularity really grew in the 1980’s with
the increased success of the titanium cylinder. Since then,
many brand name implants with minor variations have been
approved.
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What factors
contribute to long-term success of Dental Implants?
Long-term success
depends on multiple factors. First off, success will depend
on the quality and quantity of bone. The better the bone
and the more available, the greater the chance of long-term
success. Secondly, the experience and ability of the dental
surgeon will be a factor. As with any surgical procedure,
there is no substitute for the experience and individual
talent of the dentist. And finally, the quality of the restoration
placed on top of the implant will play a big role in long-term
success. If the design of the implant crowns or overdentures
are poorly constructed, and biting forces are not balanced,
even the best-placed dental implant will have a compromised
survival rate.
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Who can place
a dental implant in my mouth?
A periodontist, an
oral surgeon, or an implantologist places dental implants.
The periodontist and oral surgeon are teamed with a restorative
dentist. They will place the implants and then the patient
will be seen by a restorative dentist for completion of
the crowns or overlying appliance. There will be two dentists
during the course of treatment. An implantologist is trained
in both dental implant surgery and restoration of the dental
prosthesis. An implantologist will do both the surgery and
the restoration, and there will be only one dentist during
the course of treatment. Click here to find an implantologist
near you.
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Who can
restore the teeth on the top of dental implants?
A general dentist
trained to restore implants, an oral implantologist, or
a prosthodontist can restore teeth. It is the choice of
the patient to use a "one doctor approach," whereby
the oral implantologist does both the surgery and the restoration,
or the "two doctor approach," whereby the surgery
and restoration are performed by two different clinicians.
Click here to find an implantologist near you.
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Are there
any age limitations for dental implants?
No. Any person at
any age can have dental implants as long as there is enough
bone available in which to place the implants.
What might be some
of the factors that would prevent me from being an implant
candidate?
There are some medical
factors that might prevent a person from being a good candidate
for dental implants. Some of these may be uncontrolled diabetes,
chemotherapy or radiation therapy, parathyroid disorders,
blood disorders, rare bone disorders or bone marrow cancer.
Some physical factors may include insufficient or poor quality
bone, low sinuses or nerve bundles.
How often
will I need to have my dental implants checked?
The success of your
implants will depend greatly on how well you maintain them.
They will need to be professionally cleaned by a hygienist
and examined by your implant dentist every three to four
months. This hygienist should be trained in the specific
procedure of maintaining dental implants. Also, brushing
and flossing daily is absolutely necessary for long-term
success.
Is dental
implant surgery painful?
No. An effective
local anesthetic is used during the surgery so that you
do not have any discomfort during the placement of the implants.
The mild discomfort you might experience after surgery can
be controlled with medications.
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When
can I return to work after implant surgery?
You can go to work
the next day, unless some particular surgical circumstance
arises. Your implant dentist will discuss all postoperative
instructions with you.
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Additional Information
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Benefits
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. You will be getting
a product that you will be using 24 hours a day, 7 days
a week, 52 weeks of the year, probably for many, many years
of your life.
