Dental implants have been helping fill gaps in smiles for decades, and treatment options and procedures are rapidly evolving. Dr. Pasha has worked with dental implants for over 15 years and continues to modify and improve techniques and materials to provide the best possible treatment options accentuating an individual’s unique beauty.
A dental implant is a fixture that replaces the root structure of a missing tooth. Implants are usually made from a particular grade of titanium, but ceramic implants are also available.
The implant is placed in the ideal location where a tooth is missing, integrating into the patient’s bone and serving as a strong, durable anchor for the implant prosthesis or restoration attachment. The term “dental implant” is sometimes used inaccurately to describe the restoration that represents the tooth itself.
An implant prosthesis or restoration is the structure that attaches to a dental implant and functions as the ‘tooth’. A wide array of restorations can be used to replace teeth. Selecting the right one depends on many factors.
When restoring a single tooth, a dental implant is placed where the root of the tooth would be. Once the implant integrates into your bone, a crown is fabricated to attach to the implant. The crown is attached by a small titanium screw or a specific type of cement.
The crown can be made of different materials, including a combination of metal (titanium or a gold alloy), ceramic (porcelain), or pure ceramic (zirconia, lithium disilicate). No crown material outperforms the other. Material choice depends on each individual’s functional risks and aesthetic demands.
Multiple teeth replacements can be divided into two main categories: removable solutions and fixed solutions.
Removable Solutions
Removable solutions are dentures that are either retained in place or supported by dental implants. Implant-supported dentures can help if you’re missing part or all of your teeth. Unlike fixed solutions, dentures are removable and must be regularly removed to be cleaned. If you’re diligent with your General Dentistry, removable dentures can be easier to clean than a fixed implant.
Fixed Solutions
When an individual is missing part or all of their smile, the teeth can be replaced by means of a fixed implant-supported bridge. This fixed implant solution is made of either acrylic, metal, ceramic, or a combination of these materials.
A fixed implant-supported bridge is attached to the dental implants by means of screws or cement. The bridge is fixed within the mouth and does not need to be removed like dentures. However, this solution may require a higher number and frequency of maintenance appointments, and greater attention to cleaning and care.
Placing a dental implant involves a surgical procedure performed by a dental surgeon. You can expect a 4–6-month period of healing and bone integration. Once integration is confirmed, the restorative process begins. This can take anywhere from three weeks to many months, depending on the complexity of the work.
Continually improving industry techniques and materials mean that certain cases can be completed outside of this conventional timeline.
An implant can often be placed at time of the tooth removal. In some cases, a temporary restoration is placed to address short term aesthetic concerns. Treatment techniques are determined on a case-by-case basis. Healing of bone and gum tissues occurs at different rates for different individuals in different parts of the mouth, which makes it hard to estimate timelines.
Most people who are missing one or more teeth are candidates for dental implant treatments. In general you should be in good health, have healthy gums, and have enough bone to anchor the implant in the jaw.
Risk factors include smoking, poor oral hygiene, and excessive forces on the teeth. These risk factors are determined by the surgeon and Dr. Pasha, who will modify the treatment plan to minimize complications.
Additionally, there are several rare health conditions that can make implants less suitable for some people. Dr. Pasha will thoroughly review your medical history before starting any dental implant treatment.
All dental implants require a certain level of routine maintenance. Oral hygiene at home is essential, as dental implants can develop gum disease (periodontal disease) just like natural teeth.
Hygiene protocols with implants require more time and effort depending on the type of prosthesis or restoration provided. Regular follow-up visits after the restoration or prosthesis is completed are important. Most implants will require regular cleaning and screenings. Larger prostheses must be removed at certain intervals to be cleaned and maintained in order to prevent any future problems in the tissues around the dental implants. The nature and frequency of these visits will be determined with you once the treatment is completed.
