If you would like to replace a missing tooth or teeth, having a dental implant procedure is the best alternative. Whether some of your teeth are missing, severely deteriorated, or beyond restoration, dental implants are the closest thing to natural teeth you could get.
Are you unsure about getting a dental implant? Consider using this guide to learn more about dental implants.
What Exactly are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are prosthetic replacements for missing teeth. Natural teeth are made up of two parts: the root and the crown. The visible portion coated with white enamel is referred to as the crown. The root, which penetrates the jawbone, supports the crown. The tooth root is the region that is efficiently replaced by the dental implant.
There are typically three components that make up what is referred to as a dental implant. These are the implant device (this is placed directly into the jawbone); the abutment, which attaches the implant device to the overlying denture or crown; the prosthesis/tooth restoration, which could be a bridge, denture, or crown.
Implants can be used to replace an individual tooth, a few adjacent teeth, or maybe all lost teeth, as well as offer support to a detachable or permanent denture. The implants inserted will be based on the completed restoration as well as the percentage of bone that can support the dental implant.
Dental Implant Alternatives
If you are unsure about the type of implant that will work best for you, read on to learn more about the most common implant alternatives and their potential benefits:
Implant Technique
There are 2 primary categories of implants. They include:
- Endosteal: These implants are typically screw-shaped, forged from titanium, and implanted into the jawbone. Endosteal implants are the most widely used dental implants
- Subperiosteal: These implants are positioned on or over the jawbone and beneath the gums. Patients who lack sufficient bone to undergo the dental implant procedure and would not want to have bone grafting could prefer this procedure
Configuration of the Implant
After you and the dental practitioner have settled on one of those alternatives, dental implants could be installed in one of three ways. You could discuss with the dental professional which one of these 3 kinds of implants will be most ideal for you based on your oral needs:
- Single implant: To replace one individual tooth, the dentist could use one implant
- Implant-supported dental bridge: Your dentist could attach implants in the place of several missing teeth by placing two dental crowns at each side of the gap created by two neighboring lost teeth
- Implant-retained denture: Implant-retained dentures provide you with a permanent line of false teeth that do not fall out like conventional dentures when all of the teeth have to be replaced
The Implant Material
Aside from implant technique and configuration, it is important to think about the best material for your implant that will meet your needs. Since the material used to create an implant will remain permanently in your mouth, it is extremely important to choose carefully.
As a result, it is critical to select an implant made of a substance that won't cause health issues in the future. Dental implants can be made out of titanium, zirconium, titanium alloys, or gold. The best implant material available today is titanium.
In comparison to other implant materials, titanium can last for a long time. The best material for implants is pure titanium since:
- It has a high level of corrosion resistance
- It is a thin metal with great biocompatibility
- It is stiff
Zirconia implants could be useful in the coming years, but more studies are needed before they can become the norm. Zirconia demands special attention to minimize the probability of failing.
Other substances, like metal alloys made of stainless steel, cobalt chromium, and gold have been utilized in the past, but they were met with poor results and undesirable responses. As a result, these substances are regarded as obsolete in the sector.
To encourage cell attachment, dental implants could be sprayed or coated with a wide range of substances or molecules. This is because the chemical and physical properties of the dental implant surface play a major role in determining how quickly and successfully osseointegration occurs.
To increase the success rates of dental implants, dental implant makers have focused primarily on the roughness as well as the chemical makeup of implant surfaces. Certain practices, like acid-etching, boost the roughness and encourage cell adhesion, which significantly speeds up the recovery process and improves implant placement.
The Dental Implant Procedure
Dental implants are made up of 3 parts that are supposed to substitute missing teeth:
- An implant, which resembles a screw and is typically fashioned from titanium, is sometimes referred to as a false tooth root. An abutment is a tiny component that connects to the implant surface and serves as a link
- A dental crown is a custom-made synthetic tooth fitted to the dental abutment.
To create a sturdy foundation for the dental crown, implants are inserted into the jawbone. Implants assist in slowing or stopping the jawbone from thinning, unlike dentures. Before undergoing the dental implant surgical procedure, a patient usually goes through the following stages:
Initial Consultation
You will first be required to have a consultation with your general dentist. To determine whether you are a suitable candidate to receive dental implants, your dentist typically takes X-rays and examines your dental health.
Surgical Assessment
Your dentist will then refer you to a surgical expert for a surgical evaluation. You will require bone that's capable of supporting the implants. A bone graft might be required if the patient's jawbone is too soft. The expert will decide whether a bone graft procedure is necessary during your surgical evaluation.
A special bone grafting substance is added during the bone grafting to build a solid foundation for your implants.
Treatment Planning
Depending on the surgical assessment and your needs, the surgical expert creates the final treatment regimen. The number of procedures required to produce functional, realistic-looking dental implants will depend on your health. These could consist of:
Surgical Extraction
A portion of a tooth could have to be extracted where the dental implant will be positioned. Following tooth extraction, a bone graft is most often positioned to retain your socket for the dental implant.
Bone Graft
Whenever teeth are extracted for whatever reason, deterioration and bone reabsorption occurs. Because of this, some patients need a bone graft because they don't have enough jawbones that can sustain an implant. Based on your needs, grafting methods either constitute growing new bone or having to replace existing bone.
Sinus Lift
When you have missing teeth, your sinuses are only separated from your mouth by a thin bone wall. A sinus lift has to be carried out if your sinus wall is extremely thin to create space for the dental implants.
During the sinus lift, the walls are carefully lifted to make room for the bone graft material. The new bone ultimately fuses with the jawbone and makes room for the implants.
The patient is prepared for this procedure once their jaw has enough bone to support the implants. The steps below are typically involved in placing dental implants:
- Once the procedure begins, you will be administered local anesthesia. This makes them numb to pain while the procedure is being conducted
- The dentist then makes a hole to insert the dental implant
- Using a unique dental method, the implant is inserted into your bone socket
- To fill the socket, bone grafting substances are typically positioned around the dental implant
- The patient must wait a few weeks for the dental implant's surrounding jawbone to recover and grow
- The last replacement tooth is then attached after the dental implant has fully recovered and your bone has had time to grow
What is the Cost of a Dental Implant Procedure?
A dental implant cost varies by patient and is determined by a variety of factors. This includes the number of procedures and appointments required to finish the process. People should bear in mind that, while other tooth-replacement solutions may be less expensive in the short term, dental implants would last for several decades, rendering them the most cost-effective alternative in the long term.
Patients who have dental insurance coverage could be able to get a portion of the operation covered. However, most dental plans have an annual limit. Most plans cover only the basics of dental care and exclude dental implants. Healthcare insurance can help cover portions of the operation, depending on the person and their medical plan.
Dental Implant Issues
Patients may be concerned about the risks associated with dental implants. However, if they consult a professional dentist, they should be fine. Dental implant problems are uncommon, and when they do occur, they're usually simple to resolve. Smoking and other health problems raise the chances of complications. Some of these problems include the following:
- Infection at the area of the implant
- Injury or damage to adjacent teeth, bones, or gums
- Nerve injury that could result in numbness in the chin, gums, or lips
- Having sinus issues after having implants in your upper jaw that penetrates the sinus cavity
A surgical guide is one technique implant physicians can use to improve the certainty of dental implant procedure outcomes. A surgical guide involves a digital dental operation solution that's developed by obtaining precise impressions and imaging of the patient's mouth to recreate the surface of the operation site. The customized guideline then allows medical professionals to drill implants into the bone properly by offering sleeves to direct the implants and surgical equipment.
The first stage in understanding what a surgical guide entails is investigating the three major types: mucosal-borne, tooth-borne, and bone-borne. The following are the major differences between these operation guide techniques:
Mucosal-borne Surgical Guide
A mucosal-borne guide, as the name suggests, is supported and anchored by the soft tissues in the mouth. Typically, this kind of guide is made from a preexisting detachable prosthesis. Variations in tissue thickness and quality can render this method unsuitable for some patients.
Tooth-Borne Guide
This surgical guide is widely used since it is easily customizable and delivers reliably reproducible markings that can offer support, retention, and stability. The most common usage of tooth-borne guidance is for multiple or single implants in fixed restorations.
Bone-borne Surgical Guide
A bone-borne surgical guide is an ideal choice for full-arch implant cases. However, it can be challenging to develop a bone-borne surgical guide because it relies on naturally load-bearing parts for stability. They remain remarkably strong when built successfully.
If a dental implant physician adopts a surgical guide, the design details and process would be discussed during the therapy planning stage. Based on the individual's condition, a clinician can decide to freehand the implants, stack several guides, or even use surgical guides for correct implant placement.
Signs of Implant Failure
Dental implants have traditionally had a high success rate. However, they do fail on some occasions. Certain risk factors, such as smoking, raise the likelihood of unsuccessful dental implants. The bone doesn't always properly integrate with the implant. Other elements that could contribute to failure in dental implants include:
- Infection
- Quantity and the quality of bones
- Poor dental care
- Trauma
- Experience of a specialist
- Dental implant quality
- Teeth clenching and grinding
- Neck and head radiation
- Patient’s wellbeing
Signs of implant failure may also include:
- Loose-feeling or shaky implants
- Discomfort or pain
- Biting and chewing difficulties
- Gum recession surrounding the implant
Gum Inflammation
Dentists should ensure the stability of dental implants from the start. Implants that don't have enough stability fail at rates ranging around 32%.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Below are some advantages of using dental implants:
Dental Implants Function Similarly to Natural Teeth
One of the most significant benefits of a dental implant is that it restores an individual's full chewing force. Most patients are unable to distinguish between their dental implant and their natural teeth. In addition to being able to brush and floss regularly, people can eat normally while having the implants.
Dental Implants Help to Reduce Bone Resorption
Where there are no teeth, the jaw bone structure deteriorates due to a lack of stimulation. If no dental implant is installed within the first year of tooth loss, the bony area loses 25 percent of its capacity, and bone resorption continues over time.
Dentures could also hasten bone loss since they often get loose and grind against the bone ridge, slowly eroding it away. A dental implant offers the necessary stimulation for bone development since it replaces both the tooth and the root canal, restoring normal chewing.
Dental Implants are Designed to Last for Several Decades
A dental implant is designed to last a lifetime, as opposed to a dental bridge, which might only last ten years or so. The dental implants are made from titanium which merges with the jawbone. It is bio-compatible, which means it is non-toxic and the body does not reject it. Overall, it is an effective tooth replacement option.
Dental Implants Support the Adjacent Teeth
Missing teeth can leave gaps, which could lead to the adjacent teeth shifting crookedly toward the gaps. This causes the teeth to shift out of place and could have an impact on how you bite, chew, and your physical appearance. This could cause interference, making future tooth restoration difficult. Misaligned teeth can also cause problems with your temporomandibular joint, causing discomfort and headaches.
Dental Implants Can Help to Prevent Sagging Skin as Well as Premature Aging
Facial sagging could be an unpleasant side effect of bone loss caused by missing teeth. At this point, the lower section of the face tends to sag, progressively reducing the distance between the chin and the nose tip. Changes could include excessive wrinkling around the mouth, thinned lips, as well as a more pointed chin, making individuals appear much older than their actual age.
Dental Implants Can Prevent You From Getting Gum Disease
Gaps from missing teeth can act as traps for food and germs, leading to gum disease. Dental implants would also make your dentures more comfortable, allowing you to enjoy eating again.
Frequently asked questions
Below are a few of the most commonly asked questions on dental implants:
How Long Will My Dental Implants Last?
If you take good care of your dental implants at home and have regular checkups at the dentist's office, they should last a very long time. Implants require the same oral care level as your teeth, which are flossing, brushing, and good hygiene. Dental implants must be regularly maintained, which also means regular trips to the dentist.
Am I Too Old to Receive Dental Implants?
Dental implants are suitable for people of any age. However, since the jaw bones dramatically change in size and shape as children grow, it is best to wait until this process is finished before placing implants in children. Nevertheless, there is undoubtedly no age limit for receiving implants, and seniors can gain a lot from having stronger teeth. Implants can also make your dentures more comfortable, enabling you to enjoy eating again (regardless of the food).
How Do I Locate a Qualified Dental Implant Expert?
The dental implant process calls for specialized education and training. While it is acceptable for any dental practitioner to conduct a dental implant surgical procedure, it is strongly advised that patients pick a dental implant expert. Patients can find a specialist by taking the following steps:
Request a Referral
To get a recommendation, you can consult your primary dentist. Patients should get recommendations about maxillofacial and oral surgeons from their dentists. You should also inquire about the reason(s) for the recommendation, the surgeon's areas of expertise, their educational background, and whether you can personally visit the surgeon yourself.
Check Your Insurance Policy
The first thing you should do is take a look at the dentists listed in their network to see what they are covered for.
Research
You can also look up local specialists using reliable resources. You can use the American Dental Association website's directory or the American Academy of Implant Dentistry website to look up dental implant experts.
Find a Tarzana Dentist Near Me
Tarzana Dental Care is dedicated to providing patients with dental implants that make them smile. We take pride in offering assistance and services that cater to the needs of our clients in Tarzana. Call us at 818-708-3232 today if you want to find out more about our dental implant procedures.