Dental Implants are titanium fixtures which are inserted into the jawbone. After successful healing these fixtures can then be used to support new crownsbridges or dentures.
Implants have been shown to have excellent survival rates and are well accepted by patients. Patients particularly like them as they are comfortable, stable and allow for easy chewing. They also reduce the rate at which the bone shrinks when we lose teeth.
The first part to implant treatment is the planning stage. It is vital that your mouth is healthy and there are no untreated dental problems such as decay, root canal work or gum disease. If any outstanding dental work is required Dr Shah will request that this is completed prior to further planning. We will take x-rays and 3D scans or your teeth and jaws to allow us to determine the top possible treatment. We will also take impressions or scans of your teeth, as well as records of how your teeth meet together when biting. A lab technician may construct a model known as a diagnostic wax-up, to demonstrate what the final implant-supported prosthesis will look like.
The next stage is for dental implants to be inserted. This is typically performed under local anaesthetic, though sedation can be arranged at your request. The gum is gently lifted away from the underlying bone and the site is gently prepared using specialised drills. The implant is then placed into the jawbone and the gum is stitched over. Implants are normally placed at least 6-8 weeks following the removal of a tooth. In certain circumstances, we may choose to place the implant earlier than this or at the time of extraction. The stitches are usually removed 7-14 days following surgery. On occasion, bone and soft tissue (gum) grafting may be performed prior to or at the time of implant placement.
The implant is usually left in the jawbone for at least 3 months to allow for successful healing and integration with the surrounding jawbone. If the implant has been buried under the gum, a small secondary procedure is required to expose the implants before they can be used.
The final stage is the restorative phase. A number of appointments will be required construct your final implant prosthesis. These include impressions, the recording of your bite, checking the fit of components and the possible fit of a provisional prosthesis. In total the treatment time from the planning stage to the delivery of your final prosthesis could extend to over six months.
You will be advised to attend for reviews at regular intervals in the first 12-24 months following the placement of your dental implants. Implants have excellent survival rates and can function for a number of years. However, they can suffer from complications.
The most common complications include:
The loosening or fracture of screws which retain the crown
The loss of filling material over the screw access hole
Fracture or chipping of the restoration/prosthesis
Most complications can be fixed relatively quickly. However, they still require an additional visit to the practice and according to costs. It is important you take the long-term costs of maintenance of your implants into consideration.
One of the more serious complications is known as implant gum disease or peri-implantitis. This condition involves the progressive loss of bone around your implants, as well as bleeding and infection of the overlying gums. It is not fully understood why implants suffer from gum disease, but a known history of existing or previous gum disease is a key risk factor. Treating implant gum disease is difficult and expensive. As such prevention is better than cure and regular appointments with a dental hygienist/ periodontist can reduce the risk of peri-implantitis dramatically.
Benefits of implant treatment
A well-established means of replacing missing teeth with excellent long-term (+10 years) survival rates.
Allow the replacement of teeth which are unsuitable for dentures/bridges.
Can improve your appearance and ability to chew foods.
Potential risks of implant treatment
In some cases, the implant fixture may not fuse properly with the bone. This is known as an early failure and will require the removal of the implant.
The placement of implants is a surgical procedure and as such common risks with surgery apply. These will be fully explained to you prior to the placement of implants.
Long term risk of complications as explained above.
