Dental Implants

Dental implants are changing the way people live. They are designed to provide a foundation for replacement teeth that look, feel, and function like natural teeth. The person who has lost teeth regains the ability to eat virtually anything, knowing that teeth appear natural and that facial contours will be preserved. Patients with dental implants can smile with confidence.

What Are Dental Implants?

The implants themselves are tiny titanium posts that are surgically placed into the jawbone where teeth are missing. These metal anchors act as tooth root substitutes. The bone bonds with the titanium, creating a strong foundation for artificial teeth. Small posts that protrude through the gums are then attached to the implant. These posts provide stable anchors for artificial replacement teeth.

Implants also help preserve facial structure, preventing bone loss that occurs when teeth are missing.

The Surgical Procedure

For most patients, the placement of dental implants involves a single surgical procedure. First, implants are placed within your jawbone. For the first three to six months following surgery, the implants are left with a small healing abutment protruding through the gum as the implant gradually bonds with the jawbone. You should be able to wear temporary denture and eat a normal diet during this time. After the implant has bonded to the jawbone, Wayne will check the implant has been successful and refer you back to your dentist for construction of the implant crown.

The entire procedure usually takes four to eight.months. Most patients experience minimal disruption in their daily life.

Success Rates

Typically if implants are going to have a problem, it occurs during the early healing phase and they may become loose or the gum shrinks from around them, 4% of implants may have a problem that results in their removal. Failure is not normally painful or even noticed by the patient but if it occurs it means the process must start again with removal of the implant (a simple procedure as it is loose anyway), allowing healing to occur and then replacement of the implant and a wait of 3 months. The accepted 5 year survival rate for implants is 95%, so once the first 3 months is passed then 1% of implants may have a problem over the next 5 years, that is 2% every decade.

If a problem occurs that results in the implant being removed, the implant supplier offers a 5 year warranty and Wayne will replace the implant at no fee within 5 years since placement.

Your dentist constructs the implant crown and will talk with you about any guarantee for their work.

This patient had her tooth removed, wore a partial denture for 3 months and then a porcelain crown placed. The photo on the right is 4 years after crown placement by her dentist.

 

Surgical Advances – “Teeth in a Day”

Using the most recent advances in dental implant technology, Wayneis able to removethe tooth, place single stage implants and same day crowns. These implants do not require a second procedure to uncover them, and can have a crown placed on them later in the same day. This is an excellent solution for front teeth and works out at a similar cost to having conventional two stage implant treatment and constructing a temporary partial denture. But you only go for 5 hours without a front tooth – not 3 months!

This patient’s porcelain crown had fallen off, Wayne removed the tooth, placed the implant and a temporary acrylic crown in one day. Photographs shows before and after on the same day with temporary crown in place.

  

There are benefits of same day teeth most importantly preservation of the natural gum shape,removal of a tooth results in shrinkage of the gum margin, 60% of shrinkage occurs in the first month after removal, this may require grafting or intricate surgical techniques to try and recreate what was lost.

Back teeth (molars) can also receive same day implants but it is not necessary to place a same day crown as the gap is not visible. The final crown can be placed after 3-6 months and saves the cost of a temporary immediate crown.

Dental Implant placement is a team effort between an oral and maxillofacial surgeon and a restorative dentist. While Wayne performs the actual implant surgery, initial tooth extractions, and bone grafting if necessary, the restorative dentist (your dentist) fits and makes the permanent prosthesis (crown). Your dentist will also make any temporary prosthesis needed during the implant process.

What Types Of Prosthesis Are Available?

A single prosthesis (crown) is used to replace one missing tooth each prosthetic tooth attaches to its own implant. A partial prosthesis (fixed bridge) can replace two or more teeth and may require only two or three implants. A complete dental prosthesis (fixed bridge) replaces all the teeth in your upper or lower jaw. The number of implants varies depending upon which type of complete prosthesis (removable or fixed) is recommended. A removable prosthesis (over denture) attaches to a bar or ball in socket attachments, whereas a fixed prosthesis is permanent and removable only by the dentist.

Mr Gillingham performs in-office implant surgery in a hospital-style operating suite, thus optimizing the level of sterility. Inpatient hospital implant surgery is for patients who have special medical or anesthetic needs or for those who need extensive bone grafting from the jaw, hip or tibia.

Why Dental Implants?

Once you learn about dental implants, you finally realize there is a way to improve you life. When you lose several teeth whether it’s a new situation or something you have lived with for years chances are you have never become fully accustomed to losing such a vital part of yourself.

Dental implants can be your doorway to renewed self-confidence and peace of mind.

A Swedish scientist and orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Per-Ingvar Branemark, developed this concept for oral rehabilitation more than 35 years ago. With his pioneering research, Dr. Branemark opened the door to a lifetime of renewed comfort and self-confidence for millions of individuals facing the frustration and embarrassment of tooth loss.

Why Select Dental Implants Over More Traditional Types Of Restorations?

There are several reasons: Why sacrifice the structure of surrounding good teeth to bridge a space? In addition, removing a denture or a partial at night may be inconvenient, not to mention that dentures that slip can be uncomfortable and rather embarrassing.

Are You A Candidate For Implants?

If you are considering implants, your mouth must be examined thoroughly and your medical and dental history reviewed. If you mouth is not ideal for implants, ways of improving outcome, such as bone grafting, may be recommended. Almost anyone can receive dental implants, the aim of treatment is not “getting implants” but having an attractive, functional long lasting set of teeth with the least maintenance possible. There are a lot of different ways to achieve this outcome hence the team work and discussions involved with yourself, Wayne and your dentist.

What Type Of Anesthesia Is Used?

The majority of dental implants and bone graft can be performed in the office under local anesthesia, with or without intravenous sedation. Discuss the options with Wayne at your consultation. Most patients report that implant placement is less “traumatic” than having a tooth removed. Recovery is hours and you can expect to return to work the next day.

Do Implants Need Special Care?

Once the implants are in place, they will serve you well for many years if you take care of them and keep your mouth healthy. This means taking the time for good oral hygiene (brushing and flossing) and keeping regular appointments with your dental specialists.