We are living in a fascinating age where titanium comes to our rescue each time we need to replace a missing body part. Teeth are no exception either. It’s an interesting phenomenon I have watched evolving over the past so many years. Earlier I would have patients come in for tooth replacement and they would come in sitting after sitting as dentists cut up healthy sound teeth to replace a missing tooth. And believe me the pain and torture for the patient did not end there. Even the mention of an implant and I would be met with a horrified expression.” How can you even think of placing a foreign body into my bone, Doc?”
Now, this has changed, I have patients specifically coming in and saying “No bridge Doc, lets place implants.” That’s the kind of evolution I am talking about.
What are Dental Implants?
To put it in really simple words a dental implant is a titanium screw which replaces the root of the tooth. Implants are surgically positioned into the jaw bone beneath your gums. Once in place they fuse with the jaw bone and a crown can then be placed on the implant
Why Dental Implants?
- Next best thing to healthy, natural teeth- Strong and stable, a dental implant restores a lost tooth so that it looks, feels, fits and functions like a natural tooth.
- Built to last. Dental Implants are a long-term solution- Dental Implants may need periodic adjustments, they can last a lifetime when properly placed and cared for over time.
- Enjoy life without worrying about your teeth- No need to stay home or feel uncomfortable in public, embarrassed because your smile looks different, or worried that missing teeth will limit your ability to join in the fun or that removable dentures or tooth-supported replacement teeth will loosen or fall out when you talk, eat or laugh. Your dental health is proven to have a significant impact on your mental health due to its connections with appearance and self-confidence, a fact supported by My Sparkling Life who are personal development specialists who recommend investing in cosmetic dentistry when you’re lacking in confidence. Teeth restored with dental implants are teeth that let you, not your teeth, lead your life.
- Retain your natural face shape, and smile- dental implants allow you to maintain the natural shape of your face and smile.
- Protect healthy bone- Dental implants are the only dental restoration option that preserves and stimulates natural bone, actually helping to stimulate bone growth and prevent bone loss.
- Speak easy- Adjusting to removable dentures can mean struggling to pronounce everyday words. Not so with dental implants, which function like natural teeth.
- Eat your favorite foods- Taste and enjoy the foods you love without hesitation. You can bite naturally, eat virtually anything.
- No cavities- Cavities can’t occur in an implant-restored crown, or replacement tooth.
- Protect your healthy teeth- Placing a tooth-supported bridge requires grinding away the teeth on one or both sides of the missing tooth or teeth – thereby damaging healthy teeth to restore those that are missing. Dental implants go in the jaw bone, in the spot where your missing tooth root was, without impacting healthy teeth.
- More predictable than other repair and restoration methods- Dental implant treatment has a track record of reliable, long-term successful outcomes more predictable than other treatments to repair or replace missing teeth, including bridgework, removable appliances and re-treatment of failing root canal (endodontic) therapy.
- How safe and predictable are Dental Implants?
Dental implant surgery is one of the safest and most predictable procedures in dentistry when performed by a trained expert, especially when you’ve got the assurance of professionals like Dr. Gregory J. Wych D.D.S. in charge of this procedure. At least this way, you’ll know that you’re in safe hands.
A dental implant is the strongest device available to support replacement teeth, and it allows your replacement teeth to feel, look and work naturally. In addition, dental implants are the only restoration method that stimulates your natural bone underneath the missing tooth.
Are Dental Implants for everybody with missing teeth?
Ideally almost any patient can get dental implants done. However, before any planning thorough investigations need to be carried out by your dentist for any physical conditions, medications you may be taking, long term or short term diseases and detailed X-rays to check for bone availability. Once all the reports have been evaluated going ahead with the implant surgery is a quick painless procedure.
Any precautions before during and after the Implant Procedure?
Typically, an implant surgery is managed under local anesthesia. Simple single tooth placements are quick, painless and clean procedures. Full mouth implants may take little longer. The process is a small surgical procedure and complete surgical sterility is an absolute must by your surgical team. Expect mild discomfort after the surgical procedure that can be easily taken care of by a pain killer.
Implants in a day?
There is a lot of information today regarding placing and loading implants in a single day. The success of these cases may be slightly less predictable as compared to the two stage implant placement.
Can my Dental Implants fail?
Implant surgery is a very predictable procedure and chances of failure are almost negligible. There may be some situations however when the implant may fail. There is however no reason to panic. The same implant site can be used again to place the new implant after a short waiting period ranging from six to 12 weeks.
What should I expect during Routine Placement?
The procedure ideally takes place in stages: The first stage is the implant placement. The second stage is after three months when the implant fuses with the jaw bone after which a crown is placed on the implant restoring the implant to full function of eating and chewing.
Can older patients get Implants too?
Older patients can be very uncomfortable with ill-fitting dentures. Implants are a boon for such patients, greatly improving the quality of life. A denture supported on two implants can do wonders to their eating and chewing.
If you’ve been worked up about getting those implants done just go ahead and schedule it. It’s the simplest long term investment you’ll make.
Till next week then!
Dr Shail Jaggi is a passionate dentist with specialisation in cosmetic dentistry and endodontics. She manages an Advanced Microscope Enhanced Practice – Dentalwiz dealing with all aspects of dentistry. Dr Jaggi is recipient of ‘Outstanding Dentist Of The Year -2015′
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