Dental Implants
Services > Dental Implants
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Dental implants are replacement tooth roots. Dental Implants provide a strong foundation for permanent or removable prosthesis (replacement teeth) that are made to match your natural teeth. They are manufactured from biologically neutral pure Titanium that is accepted by the human body and these implants fuse with the jawbone to form a secure foundation for tooth replacement.
Benefits of Dental Implants
- Improved self-esteem and increased quality of life
- Reduce size and construct a more natural functional bridge or denture
- No need to trim the adjacent teeth to form the conventional bridge
- The solid anchorage of the dental implant will allow you to increase your chewing pressure, so eat anything you want
- Improves speech as compared to having dentures
- Improved comfort relative to removable dentures
- Prevent further loss of teeth and bone support
- Improved and younger, natural appearance
- Improved oral health
- Durability. Implants are very durable and have expected lifelong replacement for lost tooth
- No slipping, sliding clicking dentures or worrying about your dentures popping out in embarrassing situations
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There are two basic types of implants available at our dental clinic.
The type of dental implants selected will be dependent on the patients' specific needs and general dental condition. A panoramic x-ray and/or CT scan are usually required to evaluate the amount of bone, determine the space available and for a thorough examination to diagnosing the options best suited for each case.
There are a variety of dental implant systems available on the market. The most popular systems is the Nobel Biocare implant systems. This has had long-standing histories in the field of producing dental implants and has its own ranges of lines.
With today's advancements in dental implant and bone grafting techniques, materials and technologies, almost anyone with missing teeth can now have dental implant treatments done. Conventional implants techniques have had good long-standing success rates.
Also due to new developments in implant technologies and techniques, immediate implants and immediate loaded implants are now possible that can dramatically shorten treatment
Conventional Dental Implants Procedure
The implant procedure is the same whether one or all teeth are missing. Below outlines what you may expect during dental implant treatment:
1. First evaluation and x-ray
- A panoramic x-ray and oral examination is done to determine implant site and bone condition
2. Implant site preparation and Placing the Implant
- The gum tissue is opened to expose the bone area where the implant will be placed
- In situations where there is insufficient bone structure, bone grafting may be a recommended procedure
- Once healthy bone material has been established, the implant is ready to be put into place
- After the bone has been prepared, the implant is embedded and the tissue is sutured
3. Healing Process - Osseointegration
- The implant is left to integrate and heal with the jaw bone usually 4-6 months
- The sutures are typically removed seven to fourteen days after surgery
4. Attaching the Abutment or metal bar/ball and Placing the Crown/Bridge or Overdenture
- When the gum tissue is ready, the impressions are taken to make a working model for dental laboratory process.
- A special abutment or metal bar/ball is selected and attached to the implant
- The custom made crown/bridge or overdenture is then fixed or snapped onto the abutment or metal bar/ball.
Immediate Implants
Due to implant material, techniques and technological developments, the completion time for conventional dental implants has now been cut short from 4-6 months to 2 months.
In cases where bone condition and density are favorable, dental implants can now be embedded after tooth extraction. Such techniques being referred to as immediate implant, one-day implants, single day implants or same day implants. This means that the patient have new tooth roots upon leaving the office.
   In addition, for certain cases, permanent or temporary prosthetics may be loaded immediately during the same treatment visit when the dental implants are surgical placed. This is known as immediate loaded implants. The immediate loading of dental implants shortens the treatment time and makes it possible to give the patient an esthetic appearance during the whole treatment period.
New prefabricated components such as Nobel Biocare's Branemark, Replace Select Straight, Replace Select Tapered Dental, Nobel Direct, Nobel Prefect Implant system as well as Osstem implant system are now enables shorter treatment time. These prefabricated components are made to fit practically all types of jaw bone and enables adjustments to be made in meeting individual esthetic and functional needs.
Benefits of Immediate Loaded Implants
- Immediately functioning teeth
- Good esthetic results
- Shorter treatment time with minimized pain
Immediate Loaded Dental Implants Procedure
The treatment procedure and steps for immediate loaded implants are the same as that for conventional implants, the main difference being that the temporary crown or bridge is loaded onto the implants after its surgical placement.
- First evaluation and x-ray to determine implant site and bone condition
- Implant site preparation
- Placing the implant and installing the temporary crowns or bridges
- Placing the permanent crown or bridge
An immediate loaded implant does not apply to all cases and is dependent on the individual's bone quality and condition.
Following placement of the artificial roots in the jaw, the bone may be sore and the surrounding gums tender and swollen. Patients are, however, able to go about their normal daily activities a day after surgery avoiding any rigorous physical exercises or activities.
For your immediate loaded implants, the same post care instructions apply as that of conventional dental implants. Dental implants require the same care as real teeth, including brushing, flossing, and regular dental check-ups.
Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria for Immediate Implants and Immediate Loaded Implants
Below is a list of some of the inclusion/ exclusion criteria for immediate implants and immediate loaded implants. This list is non-exhaustive and its feasibility is also dependent on the judgment of your implantologist on an individualized case basis.
- If you have a fractured or decayed tooth that needs to be extracted, a dental implant may be placed at the time of the tooth extraction. However, if your fractured or decayed tooth is infected, immediate dental implant placement is not advisable. There should be no apical disorder or inflammation at the area of the implant site.
- Good bone/soft tissue quality and quantity is required for immediate implants to be successful, thus immediate implants and immediate loaded may not be applicable to all cases. Different bone volume and density and preparation techniques will influence the level of stability.
- The patient should be healthy and compliant with good oral hygiene.
- Other criteria include having good gingival/ periodontal or periapical status of adjacent teeth as well as favorable and stable occlusal relationship.
As with any procedure, it is always important to consult with your dental specialists on whether a particular treatment such as immediate implant and immediate loaded implants are suitable for you.
Recovery Expectations
Following placement of the artificial roots in the jaw, the bone may be sore and the surrounding gums tender and swollen. Patients are, however, able to go about their normal daily activities a day after surgery avoiding any rigorous physical exercises or activities. |
