Dental Implants

Dental implants are artificial structures that a dental surgeon inserts into a person’s jawbone. A person may need an implant if they have lost one or more teeth.

What are dental implants?

A dental implant is a structure that replaces a missing tooth. With screw-like devices, the surgeon inserts an implant into the jawbone, and it acts as an anchor for an artificial tooth, called a crown. A device called an abutment connects the artificial tooth to the dental implant. The crown is custom-made to fit the person’s mouth and match the colour of their teeth. Crowns look, feel, and function like natural teeth.

DENTAL IMPLANT - SINGLE TOOTH IMPLANTS

Single Tooth Implants

Single-tooth implants can be used in people who have missing one or more teeth. An implant is surgically placed in an opening that is made by your dentist in the jawbone. After the implant integrates (attaches) to your bone, it acts as a new “root” for the crown that will be replacing your missing tooth. A crown (cap), which is made to look like a natural tooth, is attached to the implant and fills the space left in the mouth by the missing tooth.

For this procedure to work, there must be enough bone in the jaw, and the bone has to be strong enough to hold and support the implant. If there is not enough bone, be may need to be added with a procedure called bone augmentation. In addition, natural teeth and supporting tissues near where the implant will be placed must be in good health.

Single Tooth Implant Treatment Procedure

1: Before the procedure

The dentist makes a first examination and takes one or more x-rays of the area to prepare for the procedure.

2: Installing the implant

The implant is placed. At this time, a temporary tooth will be provided that allows you to eat and function like normal almost immediately. The implant will need a few months to integrate with the jawbone before the next step is taken.

3: Attaching the new crown

The final step is the placement of the permanent ceramic tooth. The new tooth is installed for life. No additional treatment is needed.

4: End result

You should expect the new tooth to fit and function just like a natural tooth. Do your usual dental hygiene to keep the tooth and gum around it clean.

DENTAL IMPLANT - MULTIPLE TEETH IMPLANTS

Multiple Teeth Implants

Just as with one missing tooth, several missing teeth can be easily treated with dental implants. Implant supported teeth are permanently fixed in the mouth, unlike removable appliances like dentures. They don’t slip or click, and there is no worry about them moving or falling out when speaking, eating, or participating in activities. And because dental implants are placed directly into the bone, they help preserve the jawbone and prevent bone deterioration.

Don’t ignore missing back teeth losing multiple tooth from decay, gum disease or neglect will have a domino effect resulting in bone loss around your remaining teeth causing them to become loose, rotated and mobile. Don’t be complacent just because your missing teeth are in the back of your mouth! To avoid the risk of cascading harm to neighbouring teeth, your lost teeth should be replaced as soon as possible with implants.

Multiple Tooth Implant Treatment Procedure

This procedure normally includes four visits to the dentist. You should expect to be able to work the day after having the implant installed. The course of treatment described here is one of several options available.

1: Before the procedure

The dentist makes a first examination and takes one or more x-rays of the area to prepare for the procedure.

2: Installing the implant

Titanium tooth implant bases are placed into the jawbone to replace the job of the roots. We allow a period of time for the jawbone to heal over the bases before fitting for a crown.

3: Attaching the new crown

After healing, the abutments are attached to the dental implants. These components are used to hold custom-made ceramic crowns that the dental laboratory will mould and match to your existing teeth.

4: End result

Finally custom fabricated crowns are placed over the tooth implant abutments and will function like a real tooth.

DENTAL IMPLANT – MISSING ALL TEETH

Full mouth dental implants

“A reason to smile again”
(All-On-Four-Dental-Implants)

Can just four implants replace all of the teeth on the top or the bottom of your mouth? Thanks to advances in dental implant technology, that answer is a resounding yes.

Believe it or not, tooth loss is extremely common among adults, especially as we age. One quarter (26%) of adults aged 65 or older have 8 or fewer teeth. About 1 in 6 (17%) adults aged 65 or older have lost all of their teeth. Living with the discomfort and hassles of dentures, many people are opting for what is called full mouth dental implant restoration.

One full arch of teeth, four dental implants

To fully understand this remarkable technique for replacing teeth, you should first understand what a dental implant is. An implant is a small titanium screw that fits inside your jawbone and replaces the root-part of a missing tooth. Minor surgery is required to insert the implants. Once the implant is in place, a crown is attached to give you a highly realistic-looking and functional prosthetic tooth.

Here’s where it gets really interesting: You do not need a dental implant for each and every one of your missing teeth. All you need is four precisely placed implants on the top of your mouth, and four on the bottom, to restore your full smile. That’s the beauty of the full arch. And because the implant is made of titanium, it has the unique ability to fuse to living bone and function as part of it. So eventually, the dental implant becomes part of the jawbone and serves as a strong, long-lasting foundation for your new teeth.

Besides ensuring that your implants are permanently fixed in place, this bone fusion has another important benefit: it can prevent future bone loss in the jaw. This helps to maintain a more youthful facial structure—and better oral health. But perhaps the biggest surprise about the full arch is how quickly it can transform your life.

Frequently Asked Questions related to Full Mouth Dental Implants

You are required to eat soft foods till healing is complete. You have to take medications as prescribed by your doctor and the most important is that you have to maintain your oral hygiene. If you have a habit of smoking then you should stop it immediately.
The average time taken to heal from dental implants is in between four to six months, till this month complete healing is being done for placing the crown.
Once the implant is being placed in jaw bone then osseointegration will begin during this process the jaw bone grows and unites with the surface of implants. This process will take several months to provide solid base for your new tooth.
After your full mouth implant surgery you will notice some discomfort such as swelling of your gums, bruising of your skin and gums, pain at implant site and minor bleeding. Your doctor will prescribe you with antibiotics and pain killers after surgery.
Once osseointegration is done you may need other minor surgery of placing the abutment the piece where crown can eventually gets attached. The gum is exposed to dental implants and then the abutment is being attached to this and then the gum tissue is being closed around the abutment.
Only liquids like gelatin, pudding, soup, applesauce, ice cream yogurt etc are advised during the first two days following surgery in order to avoid food particles from lodging in the wound abd semi-liquid foods such as mashed potatoes, pancakes, eggs and soft pasta.
There are three phases in full mouth implants which can be different for each person, the overall duration of the full mouth implant will take from five to eight months and the surgical procedure of implant placement will take around 30 minutes to 3 hours to complete.
There are different stages of full mouth implant surgery and there is definite healing time between each procedure. In the first step the damaged tooth is removed, then bone grafting is done, implant placed and abutment is being placed. During surgery to place the dental implant, a cut to open your gum and expose the bone. Holes are drilled into the bone where the dental implant metal post will be placed. Since the post will serve as the tooth root, it’s implanted deep into the bone.
Bone grafting is only needed when the jaw bone is not thick enough or too soft. Bone graft can be placed during your implant placement only, there are different bone graft material which is being used in bone grafting such as synthetic bone graft.
NO, dental implants are not susceptible to dental disease such as decay.
Yes, full mouth dental implants can be done in one day it will maximum take 30 minutes to 3 hours for completing your full mouth implant surgery.
Yes, full mouth implant will look natural. They are designed to look and feel just like natural teeth on comparing with other restorative options dental implants are the best suitable in terms of natural looking.
Dental Implants are a good option when there is lack of natural roots of teeth so that dentist cannot build bridge or denture for replacement Implant placement has become very common practiced worldwide.
Full mouth implants are being used for restoring the function and appearance of mouth they don’t only look like natural teeth and they also function like them. Since they are fixed you will not have any difficulty in speech.
On average, it takes six to eight months for an implant to settle down but it can take even longer especially if you needed a bone graft.
There is usually a period of healing lasting from six weeks to six months.
Even though the dental implants are made up of metal and they are firmly placed in your bone you should not feel any metallic taste in your mouth. You may feel some strange sensation when you eat for the first time; this will remain till few times when you eat. Once healing is done this sensation will not be there.
You can be a candidate for full mouth dental implants if you are in the process of losing teeth or you have lost half of your teeth, you have advanced periodontal disease then you may be eligible for full mouth implant. The remaining teeth will be extracted and the full arches will be fixed to four or more implants.
Dental implants are permanent teeth replacements and they’ve become a popular alternative to dentures over the past few years. While they cost more than dentures they last longer and save you money over time. Dental implants lead to fewer visits to the dentist because they’re easier to maintain compared to dentures.
Success rates of dental implants vary depending on where in the jaw the implants are placed but in general dental implants have a success rate of up to 98% and with proper care implants can last a lifetime.
If you are missing all of your teeth, an implant-supported full bridge or full denture can replace them. Dental implants will replace both your lost natural teeth and some of the roots.
There is no upper age limit to having dental implants.
With proper care and maintenance, a dental implant can last for more than 25 years.
There are two main types of implants:
  • Endosteal: These dental implants are placed in the jawbone. Typically made of titanium and shaped like small screws, they are the most commonly used type of implant.
  • Subperiosteal: These dental implants are placed under the gum but on or above the jawbone.
You may resume normal diet after the first week, Avoid crunchy hard foods like popcorn, nuts and chips for one week following the implant placement.