Dental implants are extremely fashionable these days as they give patients an immediate and permanent solution for missing teeth, and for people losing teeth. Dental implants, which made of titanium, are surgically screwed into the jaw bone. They are used to give support to one or more false teeth or serve as an anchor for a naturally-appearing false tooth or set of false teeth. They are normally best placed in the front section of your lower jaw. In fact, dental implants benefit all of a person's teeth not just the ones targeted.
About the Procedure
There are several stages to this overall procedure. First, your surgeon will prepare your mouth correctly to receive the implants. Other implants, bone augmentation or reshaping and contouring of the jawbone may be needed. The waiting period before the next stage is approximately 3 – 6 months. Your doctor may advise you to wear a denture.
For the second stage, your surgeon will implant metal posts using an incision made into the gums and holes drilled into the jawbone. Implants will then be inserted into the holes and the gum saturated. You will then have to wait another 3 – 6 months, depending on how long it takes the implants to grow around the bone.
For the third stage, your surgeon will affix either a temporary crown or a special metal post on each existing post. Another wait of around 8 weeks will be necessary to allow the gums to begin growing naturally around the implant.
For the last stage, your surgeon will attach artificial crowns and make an imprint of your mouth. When the permanent crowns are ready, your dentist will affix them in order to complete the implant procedure.
For the last stage, your surgeon will first attach artificial crowns and make an imprint of your mouth. When the permanent crown is ready it will be affixed. This completes the overall procedure.
Length
Depending on the complexity of the work, the actual implant procedure can take between half an hour and 4 hours.
Benefits
Implants not only feel and appear much better than traditional bridges, but they also have the same kind of force for biting. Implants are permanent, last a lifetime and are not loose and unstable, like removable bridges or dentures. In fact, they can eliminate the need for removable dentures altogether.
Dental implants are also a huge self-confidence booster as a person will be smiling much more naturally than before without feeling any kind of inhibition.
Who is an ideal candidate?
An ideal candidate would be missing just one or a number of teeth and have sufficient bone around the area of the missing teeth to optimize results. They would also want to enhance their appearance.
Who is not an ideal candidate?
Not ideal candidates would be:
• Heavy smokers
• Heavy alcohol drinkers or drug abusers (especially of steroids which suppress the immune system
• Pregnant women
• Young patients whose jawbones have not fully developed
• Patients receiving high-dose irradiation of their head or neck
• People suffering form chronic diseases
• People who seriously grind or clench their teeth
Recovery
During the recovery stage you may experience some pain but this can be lessened by pain-killers prescribed by your surgeon. It really depends on the type of implant and replacement chosen, but the total healing time should range from just a few weeks to several months.
Planning your surgery
When planning your surgery, there are quite a few question which you ought to ask, they include:
• Can the tooth be saved with root canal treatment?
• How long is the tooth probably going to last if I decide to keep it?
• Is there any alternative to tooth extraction and an implant?
• What would be the situation if the treatment proposed were to fail?
Discuss too with your surgeon about the color of the implants and how white you want them to be. Your surgeon will be able to advise on a color which would look as natural as possible
Anesthesia
Local anesthetic is usual
Risks / Complications / Side effects
There are quite a lot of risks involved with this kind of surgery. They include:
• Rejection of the implants
• Damage to the roots of healthy teeth
• Nerve damage
• Loosening or fracturing of implants
• Gum inflammation
• Failed bonding
After your surgery
After they have been inserted, the implants need to bond with the bone, this takes approximately 3 months in the lower jaw and 6 months on the upper jaw. In the event you have complete dentures, they can be adjusted and still worn during the recovery period.
Post operative care
Your surgeon will be able to recommend a suitable diet between each procedure for a speedy healing. He or she will also suggest that you brush and floss your teeth regularly and may schedule some more visits for you.
Decision
As with all types of surgery like this, you must weigh the advantages and disadvantages before you make a decision. Some of the disadvantages may include:
• Some pain and discomfort
• Bruising
• Swelling
• The crown will have to replaced in the distant future
Price range
USD 1,285-3,225