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. The main benefits of Dental Implants are they
- Improve self-esteem and increase your quality of life
- Reduce size and construct a more natural functional bridge or denture
- Eliminate the need to trim the adjacent teeth to form the conventional bridge
- Allow a solid anchorage of the dental implant allowing you to increase your chewing pressure, so eat anything you want!
- Improve speech compared to wearing dentures
- Improve comfort relative to removable dentures
- Prevent further loss of teeth and support bone
- Give an improved and younger, more natural appearance
- Improve oral health
- Increase durability. Implants are very durable and have expected lifelong replacement for lost tooth
- Unlike dentures do not slip, slide or click; so no more worries about your dentures popping out in embarrassing situations
The type of dental implants selected will be dependent on your specific needs and general dental condition. A panoramic x-ray and/or CT scan is 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 two most popular systems are the ITI Straumann and Nobel Biocare implant systems. Both companies have had long-standing histories in the field of producing dental implants and have their own ranges of lines.
- Conventional Implants
- Immediate Implants & Immediate Loaded Implants
- Dental Implants
- Implant Bridge
- Full arch implants with fixed bridges
- Full arch implants with over-dentures
Conventional Implants
With today's advancements in dental implant and
bone-grafting techniques, materials and technologies, almost anyone who is looking to replace one or more missing teeth with a permanent restoration solution can have dental implants. Conventional implant techniques have had good long-lasting success.
Also due to new developments in
implant technologies and techniques,
immediate implants and immediate loaded implants are now possible that can dramatically shorten treatment times.
Immediate Implants & Immediate Loaded Implants
Due to implant material, techniques and technological developments, the completion time for conventional dental implants has now been cut short from 8 months to 2 months. In cases where bone condition and density are favourable, dental implants can now be embedded after tooth extraction. Such techniques being referred to as immediate implants, one-day implants, single day implants or same day implants. This means that the patient have new tooth roots upon leaving the dental surgery.
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 know as immediate loaded implants. The immediate loading of dental implants shortens the treatment time and makes it possible to give the patient an aesthetic appearance during the whole treatment period. The benefits of immediate loaded implants are they provide:
- Immediately functioning teeth
- Good esthetic results
- Shorter treatment time with minimised 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
Immediate loaded implants 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.
Advancements in Dental Implants
A dental implant is a prosthetic device made of titanium which is implanted beneath the oral tissues and within the bone to provide retention and support for a fixed or removable prosthesis. If properly cared for, one can expect many years of successful use.
Dental implants provide advantages over other conventional restorative dental works:
- Unlike conventional bridgework, dental implants can provide tooth replacement without the need to cut down adjacent teeth.
- Dental implants also prevent the loss of bone in the area of the missing tooth. Replacing the tooth with an implant restores function to the bone and prevents the resorption of the bone.
Dental implants can also be used to anchor full or partial removable dentures. This provides much greater retention and security than traditional techniques.
Advancement in Implant Technologies and Techniques
Dental implants have significantly improved in the past 20 years. The understanding of the site requirements and placement procedures that are necessary to ensure primary stability have advanced considerably. Implant designs and surface treatments have also evolved. This has lead to high success rates for dental implant treatments with patients reporting greater comfort level.
3D Dental Imaging
3D CT Scans and pre-operative planning software are now also available that provides an increased level of confidence and an extra margin of safety for patients:
- viewing functionalities of axial, sagital and coronal images as well as cross-sections and panoramic images
- 3D visualization and simulattion of implant placement and bone augmentation procedures
- a constant tool for clear communication between all members
- Eliminates Surprises During Surgery by providing accurate and comprehensive information about the patient's anatomy
- enables flapless surgery whereby no incisions are made in the patient’s mouth
Reduction of Treatment Time
Material developments and techniques such as the titanum oxide layer on dental implant surfaces has now allowed shorter treatment time. These new surface developments allows:
- Enhanced osseointegration for unmatched stablility
- Immediate Function for patients
- Ideal texture and porosity for bone apposition
- Enhanced environment for bone formation
- Soft Tissue integration for healthy connective/epithelial tissue and a natural looking gingiva
- Its structure most similar to human cancellous bone thus absorbs blood proteins, aids bone growth
Implant Bridge
The Benefits of Implants with a Fixed Bridge is that they provide:
- Strong & stable fix
- The only fixed alternative in situation where gaps at the rear end or where there are no natural teeth available for fixed bridge abutment support
- A stable, secure solution that lets you eat what you want
- Gives better strength and stability than dentures
- Preserves your facial appearance and prevents bone loss
- Gives a nice natural smile
- Offers a long-lasting solution, often for life
- Renewed confidence and improved quality of life as well
- No more caries for dental implant
- Save adjacent teeth. Prevents bone loss and existing teeth from drifting into surrounding space of the missing teeth
- Correct an altered bite
Installing Implants with Fixed Bridge
The course of treatment described here is one of several options available. Consult your dentist to find out what the best solution is for you, given your specific condition.