Dental Implants

A dental implant is an artificial root replacement and is used in prosthetic dentistry to support restorations that resemble a tooth or group of teeth. There are several types of dental implants; the most widely accepted and successful is the osseointegrated implant, based on the discovery by Swedish Professor Per-Ingar Branemark that titanium can be successfully fused into bone when cells in the bone grow on and into the rough surface of the implanted titanium. This forms a structural and functional connection between the living bone and the implant. A variation on the implant procedure is the implant supported bridge, or implant-supported denture. 

Picture of Dental Implants successfully replacing extracted teeth. This procedure is a conservative method to restore the dentition to the natural form and function which the patient enjoyed prior to the loss of the extracted tooth.

Procedure:

A typical implant consists of a titanium screw (resembling a tooth root) with a roughened surface. Implant surgery is typically performed as an outpatient procedure by trained and certified clinicians.Healing and integration of the implant(s) with jawbone occurs over several months in a process called osseointegration. At the appropriate time, the restorative or cosmetic dentist or prosthodontist uses the implant(s) to anchor crowns or a prosthetic restoration containing several “teeth”. Since the implants supporting the restoration are integrated, which means they are biomechanically stable and strong, the patient is immediately able to masticate (chew) normally.

In an immediate function procedure, the gingiva is not flapped (Flapless). Instead, the surgeon removes a small plug of gingiva directly over the drilling site. The site is drilled and the implant is installed. Then a crown is immediately added. Patients are cautioned to give their new “teeth in an hour” ample healing/integration time (weeks or months) before attempting normal mastication.

There are different approaches to place dental implants after tooth extraction. The approaches are:

1.Immediate post-extraction implant placement.

2.Delayed immediate post-extraction implant placement (2 weeks to 3 months after extraction).

3.Late implantation (3 months after tooth extraction).

According to the timing of loading of dental implants, the procedure of loading could be classified into:

1.Immediate loading procedure.

2.Early loading (1 week to 12 weeks).

3.Staged loading (3-6 months).

4.Late loading (more than 6 months).

Each and every situation is unique and care will be taken to make sure that your experience will be a positive one. In our office we take a team approach when fabricating implant supported restorations. Before any restoration is placed our team including the Restorative Dentist, Oral Surgeon, and Laboratory Specialist thoroughly go over your case so that no detail is left out. If you have any questions we will be happy to discuss any and all of your concerns prior to initiating the procedure.