Loss of teeth leads to emotional turmoil, awkwardness, loss of confidence, a feeling of being old, and many practical difficulties. That is why people over the ages have used shells, ivory, bones, and gold as replacement to their lost teeth. Dental implants were there from the ancient times, and if you are looking for a full mouth dental implant, you are not alone. Your ancestors would give a golden smile of approval.
In fact, around 65% of adults between the ages of 35 to 45 have lost at least one tooth and are actively seeking replacements in the form of dental implants. Dental implants have become quite popular among patients as they provide long term value when compared to conventional tooth replacement procedures.
So, in this article let us see what dental implants are, the types of dental implants, their advantages, and the latest advances in implant dentistry.
What are dental implants?
Dental implant is the root of an artificial tooth. Dental implant is fixed inside the jaw so that it can hold an artificial tooth. Unlike dentures, artificial teeth placed over dental implants allow a person to have all the functionality of natural teeth.
A dental implant is generally made of a titanium screw that is fused to the jawbone. This dental implant is then connected to a component called abutment upon which the crown is placed.
Dental implants are superior to dentures and bridges as they help protect the jawbone and surrounding teeth that are intact. Dental implants are placed via dental surgery and may require at least two visits to the dental clinic.
Types of dental implants
Dental implants are of two types – Endosteal, Subperiosteal
Endosteal dental implant
This type of dental implant is placed in the jawbone. It is placed with the help of screws, blades, and cylinders. An endosteal dental implant is used to support one or more prosthetic teeth. It is a commonly used dental implant and is superior to dentures and bridges.
Subperiosteal dental implant
These dental implants are placed on the jaw and below the gum. This is done by the use of posts and metal framework protruding through the gum so that they can support the prosthetic tooth. This type of dental implant is prescribed to people who do not have adequate natural bone and cannot go for bone augmentation.
Dental implant procedure & techniques
Before the procedure
Different patients have different requirements. That is why there are various dental implant techniques. A dental doctor would suggest the best implant technique that suits a patient based on:
- Age and general health of patient
- Health and condition of the jawbone
- The shape and size of jawbone
- Number of implants to be placed
- Evaluating other medical conditions like diabetes, and osteoporosis
- Personal medical history of the patient including a history of smoking, alcohol consumption
One of the major considerations for dental doctors would be the patient’s ability for osteointegration. Osteointegration refers to the ability of the jawbone to get a rigid fixation with the implant so that the implant remains stable.
Once all the criteria for the placement are studied along with the size of implants, their arrangement, and the load-bearing capacity of the implant, preoperative radiographic examinations are conducted. This will provide doctors the scope to evaluate the implant site. Radiographic images are then loaded into special software to study and simulate the desired result.
Dental implant procedure
- A small incision is made at the site in order to expose the bone
- A dental drill is used to drill into the bone in order to place the implant
- In case of adequate jawbone density, the implant is placed along with a healing cap. Once osteointegration occurs, the abutment and the crown are placed
- In case the jawbone density is inadequate, a cover screw is placed along with the implant and the gum is sewn over the cover screw. Once healing occurs, the gum is opened with an incision and the healing cap is placed. Later, the abutment and crown are placed.
Dental implant techniques
Same Day Implants (intermediate load dental implants)
This technique is called a same day implant as it requires one day at the dental hospital for the procedure. In this technique, the crown or artificial tooth is placed on the same day of the procedure of dental implant. Usually, this procedure is done for people who have adequate bone density.
Mini Dental Implants
These are small and narrow-diameter implants that are almost the size of a toothpick. These are used for incisors, for people with small teeth, for front teeth, teeth located in narrow spaces, and for premolar replacement. They are also a good option for people who have had a good bit of bone loss.
All-on-4
This is a popular implant technique that is used for replacement of entire top or bottom teeth known as full arch. In this procedure, four dental implants are placed. With the use of special abutments, an entire set of temporary teeth can be placed on the same day the implants are placed. After the tissue heals, a set of permanent teeth are placed.
What are the advantages of dental implants?
Dental implants are designed to function like natural teeth. They appear like natural teeth and do not have the disadvantages of bridges such as bone loss, and they do not have disadvantages of dentures like sliding and non-functionality. A few advantages of dental implants:
- They look natural and are comfortable
- They function like natural teeth
- They last long and are very reliable
- With improved technology, the success rate of dental implants is higher
- Since they are surgically placed, they bond with the jawbone and stay firm
- Dental implants in fact preserve the jawbone and prevent bone loss
- Dental implants do not use the adjacent teeth and so there is reduced risk of adjacent teeth having infection or bone loss
- Though dental implants might seem expensive initially, they are less expensive in the long run as there is no need for additional treatments
- Dental implants provide better aesthetic results
Latest advancements in implant dentistry
It is a fact that many people are seeking replacement of either a single tooth or even a full arch. Many of these people do not have adequate bone left to screw the implant. However in the recent years, there have been many exciting advances in the field of implant dentistry reducing any complications in the procedure, and giving much better results to patients.
Earlier, dental implant procedures had complications like bleeding, infection and damage to nerves leading to neurosensory issues. Apart from that, displacement of implants, and cover screw exposures were some of the postoperative complications.
In order to avoid these complications and give patient better results, newer materials, technologies, and products are developed. Here are some materials and technologies that make implant dentistry more advanced:
- AZENTO for single tooth replacement
- NobelPearl, metal-free, two-piece ceramic dental implants
- Natural dental implant AG, 3-d printed replicate tooth with titanium root and Zirconia abutment
- GalvoSurge dental implant cleaning system that removes plaque biofilms formation
- Cone beam CT for radiographic imaging for highly efficient imaging and very low radiation
- Microtomograph another radiographic imaging tool for bone-ligament interface
- Microscopic dentistry for better restoration and cosmetic procedures
- CAD-CAM technology and Digital dentistry for much better outcomes in prosthetic teeth
- Peri implant surgery for placing implants in cases of bone or soft tissue loss
- Guided implant surgery
- OSSIF-I sem demineralized bone strip in case of considerable bone loss
- Minimally invasive tunneling oral surgery
Apollo Dental has these technologies along with Microscopic dentistry, LASER dentistry, and the latest radiographic equipment like Cone beam CT, Digital dentistry, and many others. We have many advanced dental implant centres in Hyderabad, Chennai, and many other cities in India. We provide extensive dental services at affordable prices.
Dental implant cost
Dental implant cost depends upon the patient’s condition, the procedure needed, the place of the teeth, extent of bone density, and the materials used. To know more about dental implant cost, tooth implant cost and full mouth dental implant, connect with our experts at the nearest Apollo Dental Clinics.
