Alternative To Dentures

Dental Implants: Spare Parts, Small Miracles

In spite of the tremendous reduction in dental cavities in the past 20 years, a missing tooth or teeth remain a problem in the adult population. The sheer numbers of tooth loss in people over 35 indicate many of us could benefit from dental implants.

Tooth implants have been part of many dentist practices for over 20 years. The success rate has been, and continues to be, over 95 percent.

Many people are now considering using implants to replace one tooth, or all their missing teeth. Many adults with missing teeth have partial or complete dentures and bridges, and they work fine.

However, conventional prostheses may not do for everyone - the patient may have trouble with a removable denture or is otherwise unable to chew. These are the very people who could stand to benefit most from as a few as two teeth implants.

How does the dental implant procedure work?

A root-form tooth implant is inserted into the upper or lower jawbone. After a healing period of a few months, posts are attached to each implant. Then a fixed bridge or overdenture is placed - the business end of the implant. Only the tooth part is visible.

For certain people, a single tooth replacement to bridge a gap is called for. Another patient might want to stabilize a lower denture.

The procedure is no more uncomfortable to the patient than a simple tooth extraction.

The success of the new dental implants is due to osseointegration, the meshing of implant and bone. The properties of the implant are such that a chemical and mechanical bond is formed. The jawbone actually grows into the implant. This contributes to the stability and comfort of the implant - and a patient rediscovering the joys of steak and fresh apples.

Give your dental implant dentist a call. Or find one using our search form above. Tooth implants might work for you.

+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.

Immediate Dental Implants: What Are They?

Implant dentistry is a safe, predictable method for replacing missing teeth. "Immediate dental implants" or the placement of tooth implants at the time of extraction is a great method of implant placement. This method can be considered when a single upper front tooth is traumatized, when one or two teeth have advanced decay, or when the remaining roots are too short to support a crown. The purpose of this method of tooth replacement is to maintain as much bone volume as possible. This means preserving bone height and width. The benefits to the patient after restoration of dental implants are a beautiful, natural-looking tooth without cutting down healthy adjacent teeth and being able to eat in comfort without the fear of having the tooth loosen or fall out.

An implant dentist can easily determine if a person is a candidate for the immediate dental implants method of replacing missing teeth. They will examine the teeth adjacent to the involved tooth for periodontal disease and take a traditional dental X-ray. Impressions of the teeth will aid in determining one's prognosis. Additional X-rays may be necessary to determine the exact bone width and height, as well as the root position.

Implant placement is performed with local anesthesia. The remaining root is removed and the gum tissue is gently displaced from the surrounding tissue. The dental implant site is prepared with small drills. Special equipment is used to gently place the tooth implant into the prepared site, after which the gums are replaced over the implant with sutures. A temporary tooth replacement is placed in the space where the tooth was removed. Post-operative discomfort is minimal. The sutures are removed in a week, and oral hygiene is resumed.

In the upper jaw, bone grows and adheres to the tooth implant within five to six months, while the immediate dental implants in the lower jaw require three to four months for proper bone formation. After healing, there is a series of visits when an implant dentist will make a tooth that will be attached to the implant. Within a few weeks after receiving the implant-supported crown, patients consider the restoration as their own tooth, rather than an implant.

Implants require good oral hygiene, dental maintenance, and periodic evaluation by a dentist. For further information regarding placement of tooth implants at the time of extraction, look in PubMed, searching the following key words: placement of implants at time of extraction, dental implants, immediate implants.

By William Becker, DDS

+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.