What are dental implants?
Dental implants are artificial metal teeth roots that are secured in the jaw bone and used in conjunction with dental crowns to replace missing teeth.
Common applications include:
- Together with dental crowns, are used as a replacement for missing teeth;
- May act as a base for a dental bridge;
- Can be used to support an overdenture;
Although there are many other methods to counter missing teeth, such as dentures, dental implants remain the most natural looking, dependable and secure type of tooth prosthetics.
Types of dental implants
Traditional (endosteal) implants – this is the most common type of tooth implants used by dentists. The use of this type assumes an adequately good jaw bone condition. Installation of endosteal implants is normally a 2-stage procedure.
Mini dental implants – are a reduced size version of traditional implants developed for quick installation with significantly reduced time of placement and healing. Mini implants placement procedure is typically a 1-stage procedure.
Plate form dental implants – are metal plates, mounted against the side of the jawbone to act as a base for dental implants. Plate form implants are designed for patients with very narrow jaw bone, which cannot provide secure support for endosteal implants.
Subperiosteal dental implants – can be best described as metal brackets, mounted over the jaw bone. Subperiosteal dental implants are typically prescribed for patients with smaller than normal jaw bone, which cannot provide sufficient support to traditional dental implants.
Anatomy of implants
A typical implant used for single tooth replacement consists of the following:
- Anchor (root) – placed in the jaw bone by means of a surgical procedure;
- Abutement (post) – secured over the anchor and acts as a base for an implant crown;
- Artificial tooth (crown) – placed over the abutement to create a natural look;
Dental implants are commonly made from titanium, since this material has minimal biological rejection, is durable and non-oxidative.
Benefits of dental implants
- Reduce the risk of bone loss (resorption). When lost tooth is left unattended, a major tooth shift problem or bone problem may develop. Since dental implants stimulate the alveolar bone, its resorption can be avoided.
- Function and look like natural teeth. Implants are easy to clean and have little or no impact on patient’s oral health.
- Provide stable support and will not move around as dentures. This also allows to avoid speech problems associated with wearing dentures and offers more convenience when chewing food;
- Maintain natural teeth structure. Unlike dental bridges, that may require altering one or more adjacent teeth (even if they are healthy), implants do not impact overall teeth structure and alignment.
- Improve self-esteem. Unlike removable dental appliances (such as dentures), dental implants will not slip off, causing an embarrassment to the wearer.
Success rates
The success rates of dental implants depend on several factors, such as dentist’s experience, bone density, location of placement (upper/lower jaw, front/back teeth), overall oral hygiene, type of implant and others.
According to American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, an average success rate of dental implant procedure is an estimated 95%. However, the numbers may vary based on which particular jaw is subject to treatment.
Dental implant procedure for the upper jaw is considered to be more difficult than for the lower jaw, thus resulting in lower success rates of approximately 90%.
The front part of the jaw (incisors and canines) is more accessible than the back part (molars), and therefore has higher success rates of up to 98%.
More importantly, dentist’s qualifications and experience can sometimes be the determining factors in dental implant placement procedure, so it would be wise to ask the doctor about his/her expertise in this field.
With constantly improving dental technologies, some solutions may offer higher success rates than others.
Are dental implants right for me?
According to American Dental Association, “dental implants are not for everyone”. Only your dentist can determine whether dental implant procedure is right for you. Every candidate has to be pre-screened prior to treatment and has to be in good physical and psychological health and must have healthy jaw bone and gums.
Age factor:
Dental implants are well suited for all ages with exception of children, who have not yet completely developed a jaw bone structure.
Pre-existing medical conditions:
Patients with chronic issues such as diabetes and high blood pressure, gum diseases and smoking habits, should inform the doctor about their condition prior to treatment.
Risks:
Although success rates of dental implant treatment are very high, like with any other medical procedure, it involves some risks:
- Rejection – implant fails to integrate with the bone. This is a rare occasion and is generally related to patients with history of rejection of prosthetics.
- Peri-implantitis (jaw bone inflammation) – a condition generally caused by chronic infection and is related to patients with diabetes and poor oral health.
- Gingival hyperplasia (gum enlargement) – may occur as a result of poor oral hygiene.
- Wear and tear – like normal teeth, dental implants are also subject to wear and tear and can crack or break, although it is a very rare occasion. Excessive implant wear can also be a result of bruxism.
Who performs the dental implants procedure?
The team of professionals involved in dental implant procedure usually consists of:
Dentist or Prosthodontist – conducts initial examination of the patient, makes x-rays and performs the placement of the artificial tooth (crown);
Periodontist and/or Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon – surgically places the titanium dental implant (anchor & abutement) into the bone tissue.
In some cases, a single doctor may perform the entire process, however it is important to know his/her qualifications to assure the success of the procedure.