Implant Dentistry
Implant dentistry offers a reliable and
secure tooth replacement alternative to removable dentures and traditional
bridges. It can be used to replace one missing tooth or fill out an entire
set of teeth. Unlike removable dentures and traditional bridges, Implants
are functionally identical to healthy, natural teeth; they are strong,
secure and long-lasting.
Single Tooth Implants
Single tooth implants are an exellent way to replace a single missing tooth. Because implants act as an artificial root for a false tooth or crown, they function almost exactly like a natural tooth.
It is very important to replace missing teeth, because missing teeth leads to bone loss and the shifting of other teeth over time as they "cave in" to fill the space. This can lead to many problems, including, difficulty chewing, tooth decay and jaw pain.
The Initial Procedure
The modern osseointegrated implant, a solution benefiting millions
of patients since the early 1970s, is composed of two parts: the titanium
base and a tooth-like porcelain crown. On the first day of treatment,
a titanium base is screwed past the patient's gums and deep into the
jawbone. This is sometimes facilitated by the drilling of preliminary
pilot holes. Titanium is considered a bioactive metal. This means that
the implant will not be rejected by the body's systems and, in fact, "fools" the
surrounding bone tissue into accepting it as a natural tooth.
The dentist will then install a temporary cap which both protects the healing tissue and helps mold the gingiva (gum tissue) into a more natural shape. The patient is generally sedated with a general anesthesia for this first procedure, though sedation options will vary from patient to patient.
Healing
The patient should allow three to six months for the healing process to complete. During this period, osteoblasts (bone tissue cells) actually grow into and around the groves and rough edges of the titanium screw. This bonding of bone with metal provides the implants with an extremely robust structural foundation.
The temporary cap allows for safe and normal chewing activity during the healing process.
Final Installation
Once the gum and bone tissue has healed, the dentist will remove the temporary cap and affix a permanent tooth-shaped crown to the implant base. The crown is made from a highly durable porcelain, custom-designed to perfectly match your smile's shape and color.
Finally, the patient has a single tooth implant that will function very similar to the natural tooth it is replacing.
Fixed Bridges
A great way to replace several teeth.
The Problem:
- A missing tooth or teeth
- Potential bite and jaw joint problems from teeth shifting to fill the space
- The "sunken face" look associated with missing teeth
- Desire to improve chewing ability
- Desire for a more permanent solution than dentures
Implant Traditional Bridges:
A traditional bridge is an appliance that is generally attached to two teeth on each side of the space where a tooth is missing. An artificial tooth attached in the middle of the bridge fills in the gap where the missing tooth was.
The disadvantage of a traditional bridge is that the teeth on either side of the gap must be prepared for crowns. If those teeth are healthy, this procedure will require the destruction of several healthy teeth.
Bridges and Implants:
Fortunately, bridges can be attached to implants instead of the adjacent healthy teeth. This means that the dentist doesn't need to remove any healthy tooth tissue. It also allows the dentist to place a bridge in an area where a traditional bridge would likely fail. The implants provide an anchor for the bridge, holding it in place by creating a false root.
Advantages:
Unlike dentures, a bridge bonded to implants is never removed. It is stable in the mouth and works very similar to natural teeth. By filling the gap and stopping the movement of other teeth, a fixed bridge is an excellent investment, providing better chewing ability, heading off jaw joint problems and saving money that might otherwise be spent on future dental treatment.
Disadvantages:
Bridges fixed to implants are excellent restorations and have few disadvantages. They are highly durable, but they will eventually need to be re-cemented or replaced due to normal wear.Implant Traditional Dentures
A traditional denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth and adjacent
tissues. It is made of acrylic resin, sometimes in combination with various metals.
Complete dentures replace all the teeth in a jaw and fit directly on the gums
and supporting bone. Partial dentures fill in the spaces created by missing teeth,
resting partly on the gums and partly on the remaining teeth.
Dentures are not attached to anything and simply rest on the gums. This means that the denture can get dislodged when chewing and often limits the realistic selection of food choices for the denture wearer. Dentures and Implants
Fortunately, dentures can be attached to implants to help improve their fit and greatly increase chewing ability. As an added benefit, the implants prevent the steady bone loss caused by traditional dentures.
Dentures attached to implants give support to the cheeks and lips creating a more youthful appearance. Speaking, chewing, swallowing and smiling are also improved due to the confidence that stems from having the dentures firmly secured in the mouth.