Dental implants are titanium structures used in dentistry to imitate the natural root of a tooth. They are used to support restorations. Some examples of restorations and prostheses that these implants support: dentures, bridges and crowns.
Today, root-form endosseous implants are commonly used. They are placed in the bone and act similarly to a tooth root. They resemble a natural tooth in their look and feel. Traditionally, blade endosseous or subperiosteal implants were used. Blade endosseous structures, placed in the bone, were metal pieces that resembled a flat blade. Subperiosteal structures were attached to the bone of the jaw using screws.
The composition of the structure is primarily a titanium screw. Commercially pure titanium is generally used. The screw can have a rough or smooth surface to resemble a natural tooth. The surface of an implant structure can be changed through sandblasting, etching, anodizing or plasma spraying.
Planning for implantation involves some other procedures. Two-dimensional radiographs are suggested. They help the physician assess the shapes and dimensions of structures in your mouth so that the implants are properly placed. CT scans may be utilized as well. Stents are often used to facilitate placement.
During the procedure the area is prepped using special drills or hand osteotomes. After a variable period of time, a restoration can be added. The bone must grow to the surface of the implant, in a process called osseointegration, before restorations can be added. The time required for placement will vary with practitioner and quantity and quality of bone.
Healing time will vary because of a lot of factors. A physician will decide when to add restorations. Implants that are added too soon can fail. Most patients will heal within a few months of the surgery, but sometimes the process can take up to 18 months.
It is estimated that 95 percent of implant surgeries are successful. This high success rate is generally attributed to the skill of operator, good oral hygiene by the patient, maintaining the implant stability after it has been placed, good general health, compliance with post-procedure care and the quality of bone. The lack of osseointegration is usually the cause of failure with this procedure.
There are some considerations that patients should keep in mind. This type of procedure requires care and cleaning even preceding the implantation. Furthermore, the success of implantation relies heavily on the amount and strength of the bone. In order to support the structure, the existing bone must be strong. If this is a problem, a doctor may suggest a bone graft procedure.
There are complications to keep in mind. Infection can occur in the surrounding bones and gums. The implant can also be rejected by a London Ontario dentist if the body recognizes it as a foreign object. Metal fixtures can come out, though this is not very common, and cause implant failure. Bone loss, or periodontal disease, around the natural teeth can result from the procedure. The surgery incision line can open up and cause problems. Inflammation of bones and gums in the mouth is another problem that can arise after surgery.
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