Dental Implants: Modern Replacements for Missing Teeth

An accident, injury, or disease can cause tooth loss. Having an incomplete smile may damage your self-esteem and cause oral health problems. Without a replacement tooth, the remaining teeth shift and the bone can start to deteriorate. Dental implants can replace missing teeth and allow patients to lead the full, active lives they deserve.

What are Dental Implants?

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root which acts as an anchor for replacement teeth. Shaped like a screw, it is surgically placed into the jawbone to secure a replacement tooth or bridge in place. Stable and permanent, implants do not rely on neighboring teeth for support. They are an ideal tooth replacement procedure because they look and feel like natural teeth. Studies show that dental implants have a 95 percent success rate in most cases.

Success Rates of Dental Implants

Dental implants are among the most successful restoration procedures in dentistry. Studies have shown a five-year success rate of approximately 95% for lower jaw implants and 90% for upper jaw implants. The success rate for upper jaw implants is a little lower because the upper jaw is less dense than the lower jaw. This makes it harder for implantation and osseointegration (the process where the implant integrates with the jaw bone) to take place. Dental implants may fail for a number of reasons:

• Implant Positioning – If the placement of the implant is not ideal, the osseointegration process may not occur properly.
• Breakage – Implants can sometimes fracture or break.
• Infection – An infection or an inflammatory condition in the gum or bone.
• Smoking – Smoking decreases the healing ability of the body and blood flow necessary for proper healing.
• Poor Oral Hygiene – Poor hygiene can lead to the development of peri-implantitis around dental implants, which is similar to how gum disease forms around the natural tooth.

What are the advantages of dental implants?

Implant dentistry provides many advantages over dentures and bridges, including:

• Dental implants are preventative. They can prevent the bone loss and gum recession that often occurs with bridgework and dentures.
• Dental implants are cost-effective. Since one tooth is replaced instead of the several necessary to install a bridge, dental implants can actually cost less than traditional bridgework.
• Dental implants are conservative. Unlike traditional bridges, adjacent teeth are not needed to support the implant. This means that the adjacent teeth do not have to be ground down to support crowns like they do for conventional bridges. Your own natural teeth are not compromised.
• Dental implants are comfortable. Dental implants function very similar to your natural teeth and are comfortable and stable. This eliminates some of the key problems of dentures including poor fit, gum irritation and pain from nerve compression.
• Dental implants are reliable. Dental implants are highly predictable – there are no embarrassing prosthetics that slip or cause speech impediments.
• Dental implants are cosmetically esthetic. Implant supported crowns look and feel like your own natural teeth.
• Dental implants are preservative. Missing teeth cause bone shrinkage, which can result in a receding jaw line and change in facial structure. Dental implants help prevent deterioration of the jawbone so the patient’s face retains its natural shape and appearance.

The actual implant procedure involves several steps:

• The implant or implants are surgically placed into the jaw.
• The jaw is allowed to heal for a period of up to six months. During this stage, the bone grows and bonds in and around the implant(this is also known as osseointegration). The dentist may create a temporary tooth replacement for the patient to wear over the implant site during the healing period.
• The implant is uncovered, and a small metal post called an abutment is attached. The gum is again allowed to heal for a couple of weeks following this procedure.
• The restoration or crown is fabricated and permanently attached to the abutment.

Note that there are some implant systems(one-stage) that do not require step 3 above. These systems use an implant which already has the abutment attached. The implant procedure may be a cooperative effort between a surgical dentist who does the actual implant placement and a restorative dentist who creates and inserts the final replacement teeth. Some dentists have advanced training and can perform all of these services.

Dental Implants vs Dentures

An accident, injury, or disease can cause tooth loss. Having an incomplete smile may damage your self-esteem and cause oral health problems. Without a replacement tooth, the remaining teeth shift and the bone can start to deteriorate. Dental implants can replace missing teeth and allow patients to lead the full, active lives they deserve.

Dentures and dental implants are the two most common restorations for missing teeth. However, there are differences to consider between the 2 options, including comfort level, confidence level, cost and durability:

Comfort Level

Most denture wearers experience discomfort at one point or another because over time gum tissues tend to shrink leaving the denture with a loose fit. This instability can cause gum irritation and mouth sores. Adjustments are usually needed over the life of the denture due to gum and jaw bone shrinkage. To achieve the best fit, denture wearers must use messy dental adhesive. Upper dentures also have a tendency to affect the taste of foods because the palate is covered. On the other hand, dental implants are permanent, natural looking and very functional. Implants also offer the same force for biting as natural teeth and do not interfere with the taste of food.

Confidence Level

Dentures tend to slip, restricting the wearers ability to talk and eat. For a person with dental implants, he or she never has to fear these kinds of embarrassing moments. Properly placed implants are stable and function just like natural tooth roots.

Cost

Dentures can be fabricated quickly, are durable and cost much less than implants. However, the wearer’s gums tend to shrink over time, and additional trips to the dentist are necessary for periodic adjustments and denture replacements. Dental implants can be a major investment as they cost more initially, but implants require no further adjustments, replacements or further trips to the dental office.

Durability

Although dentures are strong enough to last a lifetime, dentures do nothing to prevent the shrinkage of bone and gum mass, often resulting in the need for refittings or replacements. Gum and bone shrinkage also causes a change in the bite, and wear and tear of the denture chewing surface. Dental implants actually help preserve the patient’s gum and bone mass. Implants are permanent, dependable and are a life long solution to missing teeth.

Why Choose Implants

Implants are great for patients who are unable to wear dentures. Instead, the dentist will place the implant directly into the jawbone to support permanently cemented bridges. Implants can be made from several different types of metallic and bone-like ceramic materials that are compatible with body tissue. When surgically anchored into the jawbone, the implant fuses with living bone in a process known as “osseointegration”. After your mouth heals, usually in three to six months, your doctor will place a permanent crown over the post to complete your smile restoration.

FAQs about Dental Implants

Do I really need to replace one tooth?
A missing tooth leaves a gap in your smile, which can make you feel self-conscious about your appearance. As well, even one lost tooth can damage your oral health by causing other oral health problems. Dental implants can replace one tooth or the whole mouth full, giving you back a solid, healthy smile.

Am I a candidate for implants?
For successful implant placement, you need to be in good overall health, have good dental health, and sufficient bone structure. Your dentist will perform a full evaluation to see if dental implants would fit your personal situation.

How do I care for my implants?
Treat your implants like you would your natural teeth. Brush at least twice a day, floss regularly, and schedule routine checkups with the dentist. Following these steps will make for successful implant therapy and a gorgeous smile.