DENTAL
IMPLANTS....Osseointegration
Healthy teeth make
life more enjoyable, giving you a sense of well-being, and
general comfort. A beautiful smile enhances your appearance
and can provide added confidence and presence.
Osseointegration
- Implant Readiness
Standard Implants
The most predictable way to assure optimal healing and readiness
for completing a successful implant procedure is to wait
six to nine months after extraction. Bone augmentation can
be initiated one to two months after the extraction.
After implant placement the upper
jaw requires six months for osseointegration. The final
surgical step involves exposing the implants and the placement
of healing abutments for two weeks.
The next phase involves the placement
of a final abutment and a provisional (temporary) restoration.
Ideally this would remain in place for several months to
condition the bone. When the implant osseointegrates woven
bone forms. This type of bone is made up of randomly directed
cells. When the bone is under load it forms lammelar bone.
This type of bone is in distinct layers and is able to handle
the forces of chewing. Depending on the studies this protocol
has a 98-99% success rate.
Evaluating Candidacy for Immediate Load (One Day)
Implants
In some situations, if there is sufficient height, width
and density of existing jaw bone material there are other
options.
The tooth can be extracted very carefully,
the implant immediately placed, a final abutment immediately
placed along with a provisional crown. The patient walks
out of the office with teeth!
Since the implant is loaded immediately,
lammelar bone forms during osseointegration. The final crown
can be placed in about six months.
The success rate for immediate placement
drops slightly to 96%, depending on the skill and experience
level of the doctor. In the event that there is a failure
often the next size larger implant can be placed. Otherwise
the traditional technique can be used.
In order to provide the immediate
technique, the dentist must be proficient in both the surgical
and prosthetic phases, have a large inventory of implants
and abutments. It is imperative that the teeth are taken
out with minimal trauma to the bone. In most cases patients
do not require analgesics postoperatively.
...................................................................................
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.
________________________________________________________________
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.
________________________________________________________________
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.
________________________________________________________________
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.
______________________________________________________________
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.
______________________________________________________________
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.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Additional Information
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
