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Dental Implants
Dental implants are becoming more popular in today’s dental society for a number of reasons. Implants are utilized to offer patients a foundation for new restorative teeth where natural teeth are missing or have been extracted. The implant offers the patient the opportunity to regain normal function of the tooth without being forced to resort to a bridge or a denture.
Benefits
·The implant will osseointegrate (bond) with the existing bone.
·The new implant will support your teeth firmly and safely.
·Your new implants are aesthetically pleasing.
·You will no longer have pain during talking or eating.
·The dental implant will prevent progressive bone atrophy.
·Implants have a proven scientific basis.
Procedure
The tooth structure has two main sections, the root and the crown. The root is the section of the tooth that is below the gumline. A dental implant acts as the restorative for this section of the tooth. The metal implant acts as an anchor in the jawbone. The first step of the procedure is surgical placement of the implant. Under regular dental anesthetic, the gum tissue is opened and the dentist places the implant into the jawbone. When this is achieved, the tissue is then sutured closed. There is not often significant discomfort with this procedure. This process can take from 1-3 hours depending on the number of implants being placed.
This implant will be left untreated for a period of 3-6 months. During this time, the bone will grow around the implant in a process called osseointegration. A removable crown may be utilized during this time period to allow for chewing and to preserve the cosmetic appearance..
The next step in the process is to attach an abutment to the tooth. This is achieved by exposing the top of the implant and placing the abutment. This is the part of the implant that will support the final crown.
Finally, an impression is taken of the implant and a final restoration is crafted. This restoration will be comfortable and cosmetically pleasing. Your completed implant will be fully functional, allowing you to resume normal activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
1.Who are candidates for dental implants?
Any one in reasonable health
2.Is age a factor?
Implants should not be placed in young adults whose facial structures are still growing. Old age is not a concern.
3.What are contraindications for implants?
There are few absolute contraindications; disorders that interfere with healing increase risk factors, as does vascular disease and smoking. Generally speaking, if disorders are controlled the patient is a candidate for implants. Good medical history and consulting with the physician is essential.
4.What is the success rate of dental implants?
Dental implants have the highest success rate of any implanted device in the body. Reported success rates are 90 to 98%, however this may vary based on location, bone density and prosthetic design.
5.How long do implants last?
Based on 40 years clinical evidence, dental implants could last for a patients lifetime, however revisions may be necessary. Orthopedic implants have a current life span of 5 to 10 years.
6.What could cause an implant to fail?
Early Failures Late Failures
Overheating bone Occlusal forces/overload resulting in bone loss
Too much pressure during insertion Lateral Load
Contamination, Infection, pathology Infection/ perimplantitis
Poor quality bone Screw loosening
Movement during healing phase Implant factor
Prosthetic fracture
7.Are revisions possible?
Absolutely, If an implant fails to bond with the bone, it can easily be replaced with another implant. The site may need to be grafted and allowed to heal prior to placing another implant. Prosthetics can always be re-visited.
8.How much pain will there be?
Some people report minor pain and swelling immediately after the procedure, but most experience no change in their daily routine. The more extensive the implant surgery and/ or grafting procedure, the more likely there will be post operative pain and discomfort.
9.Are pre-operative & post-operative pain medications necessary?
Your doctor should determine the regimen of pre-and post operative pain medication. Clearly written and oral instructions increase patient compliance and comfort.
10.Are there risk to adjacent or opposing teeth?
Provided the implant is placed properly and the occlusal scheme is ideal, there is no risk to adjacent or opposing teeth.
11.Can smokers be treated with implants/
Yes, nut because of inhibited healing, their success rate is reduced.
12.Could a patient be allergic to titanium?
An allergic reaction to titanium is extremely rare.
13.Will Dental Insurance pay for implants?
Most dental coverage is designed to ensure patients receive regular preventive care. They limit the amount of care given in a year by placing a cap on benefits. Plans require patients to assume a greater portion of the costs for treatment of dental disease.
It is up to the plans sponsor (usually the employer) if an insurance company pays (contributes toward the cost) of implants. If implants are covered the reimbursement is limited to the annual maximum allowed.
Some companies pay the same benefit that would be covered for the lowest cost alternative treatment option.
14.Are risks increased if an implant is placed in an endo extraction site?
If all pathology is removed, no. However, the most prevalent problem with immediate extraction/implant placement is poor position. The implant may be placed too facial/buccal.
15.What if an implant is placed next to an endodontically treated tooth?
Not relevant if the adjacent tooth is treated successfully. The question is: Will the tooth fail within the first couple of months of the implant placement? The pathway to the implant site is easiest to penetrate. The risk is less than 1%.
16.What about paresthesia?
The risk of numbness is only related to implants placed in the posterior mandible. A zone of safety should be followed to remove the risk of impinging on the mandibular neurovascular bundle.
17.What are the risks associated with implant placement in immediate extraction sites?
If no pathology is present, the most common complication is poor position of the implant>
18.Is there a difference in the success rate if a socket is grafted, allowed to heal, and then an implant is placed:
No, the success rate of this healed grafted site is the same as placing an implant in virgin bone. 90 to 98 %.
19.What is the risk when replacing a failed implant with a larger implant at removal of the failed implant?
There is a 20% higher risk associated with this procedure
20.What is recommended hygiene?
Office visits should be every 3 months. Special hygiene instruments are necessary. Patients need to be informed of their home care responsibilities for the long-term success of their implant treatment.
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Services
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Robert A. Lang, Jr, DDS |
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General Dentistry with Cosmetics, Implants and TMJ |
585-964-2000 |
