Dental Implants
What are Implants?
Dental implants are a revolutionary treatment that can be used when replacing damaged or missing teeth. Dental implants can in turn be used to support crowns, dental bridges and dentures. A dental implant is a small titanium screw that works like the root portion of a missing tooth. The implant is fitted into a drilled socket in the jaw bone and provides support for a denture when two or more are used. They can be used in both the upper and lower jaw. As a biocompatible material, the titanium implant will gently fuse with your jawbone in a process known as osseointegration.
Implant retained dentures greatly improve your bite force and help you keep as much chewing efficiency as possible. Dental implants can be used for fixed or removable dentures.
Removable dentures
This type of implant retained denture can be removed from the mouth as components within the dentures provide the retention by clipping on and off an abutment attached to the head of the implant.
Fixed dentures
This type of denture is firmly attached to the dental implants. It is often known as a fixed bridge and can only be removed by a Dentist.
The procedure
The procedure to fit a dental implant is usually relatively straightforward. The procedure involves lifting a flap of the gum and drilling a socket in the jaw bone. Once the hole has been made, the implant will be fixed into the socket and the flap of gum tissue will be re-stitched. Multiple implants are used to retain complete dentures with a minimum of two implants in the lower jaw and four in the upper jaw. The gum tissue will then be allowed to heal whilst the implant integrates with the jawbone in a process known as osseointergration. The healing phase is generally 3 months and existing or temporary dentures can be worn during this time.
Most implants are placed with a simple local anesthetic and are therefore entirely painless to place.
Dental implants and dentures
If you have lost all of your natural teeth, then having dentures can affect the foods you eat, the way you talk and the way you feel about your appearance and your smile.
The introduction of dental implants and advances in denture technology mean that treatments involving both dental implants and dentures now create a beautiful, natural looking smile with a bite comparable to natural teeth, which will make you look great and boost your self-confidence.
Complete dentures are held so firmly by the dental implants that the teeth can chew and break down food much more effectively than normal dentures. Dentures held in place by dental implants do not have a negative impact on speech and many people actually find having denture implants makes their speech clearer.
The implants distribute the forces generated by chewing and grinding evenly across the jawbone and not on the gums surface, and each denture tooth contributes to the overall action of chewing, ensuring the remaining proportions of the jaw stay in place.
Conventional types of dentures can cause forces to be distributed unevenly or not distributed at all, which can cause the jaw bone to gradually shrink in size.
The advantages
Dental implants have a range of benefits, which include better functioning for full denture wearers. Dental implants have been specially designed to blend in with the surrounding tissue and will actually prevent further loss of jawbone as well as improving the function of the dentures. The titanium material has been described as 'biocompatible', meaning it does not interfere with the surrounding tissue or cause inflammation or irritation. Dental implants support the dentures and hold them firmly in place. This improves the ability to chew, bite and speak more clearly. Implants make dentures more comfortable and will allow you to live a happy and fulfilling life.
Dentures provided by a Clinical Dental Technician that are retained by dental implants offer the following advantages:
- Restored chewing ability with greater enjoyment of food
- Improved taste and speech with less denture base
- A stable and secure fit of your denture to your gums
- A bite comparable to your own natural teeth
- Improved digestion and well being
- No pressure points or sore spots
Types of dental implants
Dental implants can be categorized in different ways such as type of connection on top of the head of the implant (internal/external hexagon, octagon, etc.), by their size and design (mini, narrow standard, or wide), by their surface texture and by the stages of surgery (single stage or two stage).
Implants are made of titanium which is precious metal with high strength and resistance to corrosion. It is proven to be completely biocompatible and material is capable of fusing with living bone in a process known as osseointegration. Where the jawbone is insufficient for the placement of dental implants the area may be enhanced with bone grafting materials to allow for their placement.
Often patients refer to implants as 'denture implants'. This is understandable but the dentures and dental implants are separate and during the restorative phase attached to one another.
The attachment mechanisms for dentures come in two parts: a component that is screwed into the head of the implant and the retentive component that is seated inside the denture base.
Mini dental implants are also available offering a minimally invasive procedure with reduced surgery time immediately stabilising loose dentures. Mini implants are not considered as a permanent long term solution.
Caring for dental implants
It is important that patients with dental implants visit their Dentist on a regular basis so that the Dentist can check on their progress and monitor your general oral health. Keep to more frequent appointments if this is the advice you receive.
An Implant Dentist will give you the advice you need on how to care for your implants after surgery, and in a way that promotes the healing of your mouth. They will also guide you on the best way to care for your implants after the healing period, to ensure longevity.
It is important to develop a daily oral hygiene regime as this helps to ensure the long-term success of your dental implants. Cleaning around your dental implants on a daily basis using toothpaste, tooth brush and mouth rinses is crucial to your oral health and the longevity of your dental implants. Inflammation of the gums around the implant can occur if you do not clean around your implants regularly which could eventually lead to their loss. Just like natural teeth, dental implants will last as long as you can keep them clean. A buildup of plaque around dental implants will lead to gum infections, bleeding and soreness just like it would do around natural teeth.
Paying for dental implants
Dental implants are one of the more expensive dental treatments but they are a good long-term investment and the lifestyle benefits to denture wearers are worth every penny.
The cost of dental implants depends on a number of different factors, including the number of implants needed and the type of retentive mechanisms and dentures you choose; prices also vary according to which clinic or Dentist you choose.
Implant Dentists that use dental implants supplied by the world's leading implant manufactures generally charge £1000-1500 per implant.
Private healthcare is becoming far more affordable and many clinics now offer finance packages, some with interest free credit.
