Dental Implants
Dental Implants have become an increasing popular and highly successful way of replacing missing teeth. Whether it be a single tooth, a few teeth or all of the teeth, dental implants provide patients with the confidence to smile again. Dental implants offer patients a permanent and fixed replacement of missing teeth.
What is a dental implant?
A dental implant is a titanium screw which is carefully placed in the jaw. They come in various lengths and diameter, and each one is chosen to fit the dimensions of the jaw. Once placed, the implant takes 2-3 months before osteointegration is complete and the implant can be restored. The type of material used in the restoration is chosen to meet the aesthetical need and the functional demands. Each part of process is bespoke to the needs of the implant and the patient.
3D imaging allows greater accuracy for implant placement. Cases are often planned using specifically constructed surgical drill guides, which allows implant placement at ideal positions in the bone available. This means that even when there is little bone available, and it is a struggle to find sufficient support for bridgework, the implants can be placed with little impact on the patient.
Single Implants
Replacing a single missing tooth with a dental implant is on the whole a far less invasive experience than conventional bridgework, which would require drilling into the adjacent teeth. Single implants can be challenging aesthetic cases, but are normally the treatment of choice.
Implant Bridges
When several teeth need to be replaced, then dental implants can be used to support bridgework: for example 2 implants can be used to hold a 3-unit bridge. The more implants being placed, will allow longer span bridgework.
Full Arch Solutions
Many of the patients need to have all their teeth replaced, in one or both arches. Full arch treatment can be life changing. There are a number of solutions available, and these are discussed thoroughly before any decisions are made. Treatment choices are often dictated by a number of situations, so it is important the patients understand why one implant option can be considered suitable, whilst another isn’t.
‘All on 4’ technique uses 2 angled implants at the back of the mouth and two at the front. It offers good stability and allows a full arch temporary bridge to be placed later that day – this is often known as the ‘teeth in a day’ . 4 – 6 implants are the standard number of implants placed in full arch cases, but like anything – there are exceptions.
Trefoil
A recent and very helpful development for replacing missing or failing teeth in the lower jaw is The Trefoil System which provides a very straightforward and elegant lower jaw implant solution at a somewhat reduced cost. With the Trefoil system, a definitive titanium/resin bridge based upon a prefabricated and adaptable titanium framework is fitted soon after the day of surgery, making the treatment much more straightforward. The Trefoil System relies upon having adequate bone available for three slightly wider implants.
Zygomatic Implants
These implants are used when there is vastly reduced bone in the upper arch and grafting is possibly not a solution.
I have been told I have a problem around my implants
With the a growing number of implants being placed, there has also been an increase in implant problems. Unfortunately it is not always very obvious to patients that they may have a problem as it can be a ‘silent’ problem initially. This does mean it is very important that implants are reviewed on a yearly basis. This helps to highlight any issues and allows the problem to be addressed.
Peri-implantitis affects the gum and bone around dental implants. It causes pocketing and bone loss, which can, if left untreated lead to the eventual failure and loss of the implant. Unfortunately treatment around implants can be unpredictable and on going hygiene maintenance is essential.