So You’re Going To Need A Dental Implant…

The need to replace missing or lost teeth is not a new concern, there is evidence that Ancient China and Egypt have been experimenting with tooth replacement for thousands of years. Transplanted human teeth, bamboo, ivory and even precious metals have been used. However, through all of the attempts, titanium has proven to be the most successful with integrating into the bone (called Osseo-integration) and creating a lasting restoration.

Titanium dental implants were invented in the 1950’s with the first being successfully placed in a human jaw in 1965. While the design has changed over the years, the basic idea of a titanium root replacement being placed into the jaw, and the bone growing around the implant has not.

When a tooth is missing or has been lost, the best option for it’s replacement (in most cases) is an implant. This allows you to have a “new tooth” instead of a bridge, partial denture or if you are missing all of your teeth, a full denture. It’s important to mention that not everyone, or every tooth is eligible for replacement with a dental implant. Careful consideration of existing bone height, nerve or sinus positioning and any potential healing issues are carefully weighed before proceeding with the procedure.

The process of receiving a dental implant sounds much scarier than it is, depending on the doctor you have chosen to place the implant, you may even be able to be asleep for the procedure. The implant itself is like a small screw that is placed into the bone. The ridges and screw like shape allows your bone to integrate around the bone and hopefully maintain it’s place without moving. Once placed the implant will need time to heal, typically between 3-6 months, before an abutment and crown or other restoration can be placed overtop of it.

Dental implants can be used to replace a single tooth or even multiple teeth, and there are so many options available for restoration if multiple teeth are missing. There are implant bridges, implant supported partial dentures, implant supported removable dentures, fixed implant dentures and even hybrid implant dentures.

Single tooth implant:  Single tooth replacement is one of the most common dental implant restorations. The implant is placed in the area that the tooth was removed from, after the healing period an abutment is attached to the implant, and a crown is placed over top of the abutment.

Implant Bridge:  Implant bridges are used when multiple teeth are missing in the same area. They can consist of multiple implants or one with a pontic (fake tooth) attached (cantilevered) to it.

Implant Supported Partial: Implant supported partial dentures are not as frequently used as other options may be. They are designed around the remaining teeth with 1 or more implants supporting the prosthesis. Typically locator attachments are placed on the implants themselves and inside the denture. The denture is still removable for easy cleaning.

Implant Supported Denture: Implant supported dentures can either be fixed or removable, depending on the dentists and patients preference. They are typically supposed by 4 implants but can also be supported by 2. This type of denture is widely recommended because the implants help to maintain the bone height and keeps the dentures in place. This allows the wearer of the dentures to eat and speak normally without concerns of the dentures becoming lose and needing to be replaced. The removable version works with locator attachments inside of the denture and on the implants themselves. This type of denture may require the replacement of the attachment parts. However, it is much easier to clean and take care of.

The fixed version has special abutments placed on the implants and attachments inside the denture. When placed properly, screws are used to secure the denture to the implants and a composite material is used to cover the holes where the screws were placed. This version requires the wearer to have very diligent home care. You cannot remove the denture without an appointment with the dentist. So cleaning the denture itself with a denture brush and denture cleaner, and cleaning underneath it is very important.

Hybrid Implant Dentures: Hybrid dentures are typically the most expensive implant restoration, but they are also the most “permanent” and closest to having your natural teeth. Typically a hybrid denture consists of 4 or more implants and porcelain crowns replacing all of the teeth. There is no acrylic present at all, and the crowns are designed to appear as if they were natural teeth. All of the crowns are attached to each other and are attached to the implants with screws. This type of denture also requires very diligent home care, with cleaning underneath the crowns. However, caring for the denture is very similar to caring for your natural teeth with a normal tooth brush and tooth paste.