All You Need To Know About Dental Implants

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Dental Implants
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All You Need To Know About Dental Implants

• Tooth loss is a sad and scary reality, and for
  those left feeling bereft after experiencing
  tooth decay or accidental tooth loss, it can have
  a high impact on their lives. Not only does tooth
  loss affect our ability to speak and eat as well
  as we might like but it can also have a severe
  impact on our self-confidence and personal
  appearance, for instance, the way we smile.
• Depending on the type of tooth loss one has
  suffered, whether it be one tooth knocked out in
  an overly feisty game of rugby, or several
  missing teeth from lifelong wear, the good news
  is you do not have to suffer a gap in your smile.
  With the addition of a dental implant or two, a
  dentist can not only fix your grin but will have
  you smiling from ear to ear.
• A dental implant consists of a prosthetic tooth
  embedded into the jawline via a titanium metal
  rod or screw. This is known as an abutment. This
  acts as a replacement for the natural root a
  tooth would usually have. Embedded into the
  jawbone, this allows a dental implant to act more
  like a natural tooth, offering better comfort
  than traditional dentures. Dental implants
  usually look exactly like a natural tooth and
  have a less visible difference between them and
  your real teeth then a set of partial dentures.

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In some instances such as with facial impact
where a tooth is knocked out completely and
intact, it is possible to attach an implant rod
to one's natural tooth and reinsert it back into
the jawbone. However, this is not always
possible, especially if the jaw refuses to knit.
This type of procedure can only be done if a
patient seeks immediate dental care after the
accident, and of course if the tooth is in sound
enough condition. Unlike bridges or partial
dentures which are built around and fitted to any
remaining natural teeth, a dental implant has its
own support and does not need to rely on that of
other teeth. This not only helps to protect any
remaining teeth should you fall behind on your
dentist visits but helps to support them in the
same way your normal teeth would. One of the
aspects patients of dental implants really like
in comparison to dentures is that there are no
adhesives or metal clasps with which to be
concerned when you are getting ready in the
morning. As the implants are screwed into the gum
line and jaw there is little chance of food
particles getting trapped under a plate between
your pallet and causing you discomfort. Not only
does this mean that a patient does not have to
suffer the issues associated with wearing
dentures but the implants have a much more
important role.
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Helping to maintain the health and strength of
their jawbone, dental implants ensure there is no
sagging face tissue and a patient will continue
to have full use of their mouth. After all a
healthy jawbone in maintained through the act of
chewing and if teeth are left un-replaced for a
long period of time, the jaw can deteriorate
through the lack of pressure on the bone, leading
to bone reabsorption, which in the first year
alone can be as much as 25! Aside from better
bone health, easier cleaning and higher comfort
dental implants also have the added boon of being
a cheaper alternative in the long term. Whilst
the initial cost does not rival that of a
patients first set of dentures, unlike bridges
and full dentures, implants do not have to be
replaced as frequently over time, meaning that
they are the more cost-effective choice in the
long run. Dental implantation is by no means
cheap however, though the investment does come
with many benefits. After your initial
consultation, a dentist will be able to provide
you with a tailored quotation as to the time and
costs involved. This is necessary as each case is
potentially different and one size does not fit
all. Other advantages of having this treatment
includes the longevity of the implants. Although
they do not come with a 'lifetime' guarantee,
with the average lifespan of these prosthetics
lasting around twenty-five years with the proper
care, they are certainly worth your
consideration. Added to this that they allow for
unhindered speech and eating, have no morning
application process or adhesives, the inability
to misplace them as they never leave your mouth
and the fact they have a success rate of 90-95!
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Prior to having dental implants fitted a dentist
will make sure that implants are right for you.
Although they have several benefits over other
types of prosthetics, they are not always the
correct choice for some patients. In order to
ensure that they are the right path to choose, a
dentist will measure you for implants, check your
remaining teeth, the health of the gum tissue
into which the implants would be inserted, and
most importantly the health and dentistry of the
jaw bone. This will most likely be done via a CT
scan and/or X-ray so as to get the most accurate
picture. If however it is deemed that the jaw
bone is unsuitable to place implants into then
alternatives are available. It may be that the
particular location of the desired insert is not
strong enough and the insert may need to be
placed off centre. For those patients without
suitable bone density, aside from the option of
dentures and bridges, there is also that of bone
grafting. This method involves removing bone from
another part of the patient's body (usually
another area of the jaw but occasionally the hip
or shin) and inserting it into the area required.
This does affect the timeline form which you can
have your inserts embedded as the bone will need
time to fuse and strengthen to the jaw. If
however, the idea of surgically removing bone
doesn't appeal to you then you should speak to
your dentist regarding artificial bone
replacements. But it stands that the bone
naturally occurring in a patients body is
considered the best substitute.
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Typically, having dental implants is not a one
trip process and can, in fact, take anywhere from
3-9 months depending on the number of implants
required and whether or not the patient needs a
bone graft. In some cases, a dentist is able to
provide full on the day care but these would
usually be a temporary fix as impressions and
molds are required in order to design the perfect
fit for an individuals mouth, and then the false
teeth need to be made. The procedure in which
dental implants are inserted into the jaw bone
has become very standard with modern medicine. In
most cases, a dentist will perform the surgery
with a very mild local anesthetic, though in some
cases an anesthesia is necessary, and more
nervous patients may be provided with a sedative
if deemed appropriate. This not only ensures the
patient's comfort but helps to aid the dentist in
placing the teeth by keeping the patient still.
As with all surgeries sometimes complications
can occur, however, they are less likely in
routine procedures such as dental implantation.
However, the main problems one might encounters
in this type of procedure, as with any dental
surgery, include allergic reactions to the
anesthetic, excessive bleeding from the gum line
and if not treated with the correct after care,
infection.
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Some patients will experience mild discomfort for
a few days after their surgery. This is
completely normal and to be expected. Mild pain
can be treated with over the counter painkillers
such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, however, it is
important to avoid drugs with a natural
anticoagulant such as aspirin. If in any doubt
always speak to your doctor or dentist. Once
the implants are in place it is imperative that
they are correctly maintained. Many people make
the assumptions that once they have false teeth
or dentures of any kind, that they are no longer
required to brush them. However, this could not
be further from the truth as dental implants
require just as much care as natural teeth to
maintain them and stop deterioration. Just as
with regular teeth brushing is a key part of the
maintenance process. Not only does brushing one's
implants maintain their pearly white cleanliness
but it prevents bacteria build up, one of the
leading causes of bad breath. Flossing is also an
essential part of this process. A dental
hygienist will be able to advise on the most
suitable products and methods for cleaning both
your natural and prosthetic teeth.
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Not only are regular checkup with a dentist
important for your oral health in general but in
particular, dentists would advise three monthly
trips to check the state of dental implants.
These check-ups with allow a dentist to make sure
that the jaw bone is healing and knitting to the
implants correctly, which in turn avoids loose
teeth which may result in an inability to chew
and even needing to have new implants fitted.
Loose implants can have a big impact on the
health of the jawline, not only in that they can
be annoying and uncomfortable, but that they will
be un-supportive to surrounding teeth. Of
course, accidents happen, and just as with our
natural teeth, a dental implant can be broken due
to high facial impact, such as can be suffered in
contact sports. Whilst it is always advisable to
seek dental aid should you partake on any
activity that has a higher than normal chance of
causing trauma to the face, it is important to
protect your implants from damage just as much as
your regular teeth. A dentist can help with this
by fitting you with a mouth guard which will
alleviate some of the impacts. Not only does this
help to prevent damage to the implants but it
will also offer the best support and protection
for your natural teeth as well. However, if the
worst should happen, your dentist can replace a
broken or damaged tooth without having to remove
the implant itself. Having said that, if the
implant is damaged beyond repair then the
titanium rods are perfectly safe to leave
inserted in the jaw without risk to the patient,
should they prove too detrimental to remove. In
these cases, a dentist will simply refit a
patient with an implant, with the supportive rod
inserted alongside the former.
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It is also good to be aware of personal habits
that can prevent you from maintaining a healthy,
gorgeous smile. Whilst we are all often reminded
of the dangers of eating to much sugar and
drinking fizzy drinks, we often forget to think
about things such as chewing pens, biting tape
and even more threatening to your teeth
removing beer bottle caps. Smoking is also a big
risk to the longevity of dental implants and
natural teeth alike, causing staining and even
periodontal (gum disease). Whilst these are all
good things to avoid doing in order to maintain
your canines, it is also important to be aware of
bruxism or teeth grinding. Often occurring in a
patients sleep or when they are in particular
moments of high stress, grinding one's teeth can
be just as damaging to your dental implants as
the enamel on your real teeth. It is important to
speak to a dentist regarding this issue,
especially if you are having dental implants put
in. Not only will a dentist be able to fit you
with a mouth guard to prevent grinding damage
when you are unconscious of this behaviour but in
some cases, they can use a strengthened
prosthetic or adhere additional abutments to help
strengthen and support your implants. As with
any dental treatment or issue with the mouth, it
is always important to speak with a dentist as
soon as possible. For further information, help,
and advice with regards to dental implants or any
other tooth replacement contact your local dental
practice.   To learn more, please
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