Love your smile

What are dental implants?

Dental implants are used to replace missing teeth. They are made of pure titanium, which is highly compatible with the human body, to make the implant immovable and acts as a solid anchor for prosthetic teeth.

When are dental implants used?

Implants are used if a single tooth is missing, cracked or broken. Patients will usually have healthy gums, bone and surrounding teeth. An implant can be inserted at the same time as a damaged tooth removal, so you are not left with a gap in your mouth. Implants can also replace multiple teeth without relying on surrounding healthy teeth for bridge support. There are many deciding factors when considering what type of dental treatment to have, such as the health of the gum and the state of the jawbone. An implant bridge consisting of one or more teeth is often used rather than replacing all teeth with individual implants, which is attached to the implant rather than the natural teeth.
Patients who are missing all their teeth can receive a full set of implants.

How are implants inserted?

Dental implant treatment usually takes place in three stages:
Stage one: any cracked or broken teeth are removed and the implants are inserted into the jawbone. The gums are then sutured and the bone is then given time to fuse with the implants. The patient is usually given a temporary prosthesis to wear.
Stage two: three to six months later, a small incision is made to the gum so that the abutments can be attached to the implants. Temporary crowns are added and the implants can now withstand the pressure applied during chewing.
Stage three: impressions are made of the patient’s mouth, including the abutments, to create a cast. The final crowns are fitted precisely, using an x-ray to check the accuracy. They are then fixed, or loaded, on to the implants.

Other procedures include:

• Placing the implants and abutments at the same time, removing the need for the second surgical procedure
• Placing the temporary crowns at the same time the implants are inserted, known as immediately loading the implants.

What are the advantages of dental implants?

Dental implants have many advantages over traditional tooth replacement methods. The materials used in implants are biocompatible with the human body and offer greater strength and comfort than traditional dentures and bridges. The key benefits of dental implants are:

• Appearance: implants look more natural than other replacement teeth. 
• Bone quality: bone shrinkage, which occurs in the jaw area when teeth are missing, is reduced or stopped by dental implants. The implants help to maintain or even build up the jawbone, retaining its shape. 
• No damage to other teeth: with implants, other teeth do not have to be damaged to support a prosthetic. 
• Comfort: implants are more comfortable than dentures and removable bridges. 
• Speech: due to the stability of implants, speech is not impeded. 
• Eating: implants are similar to natural teeth in terms of stability, so all foods can easily be chewed.
• Convenience: implants are secure, so they cannot be lost or move like dentures. 
• Reliability: Implants are permanent. 
• Self-esteem: confidence is increased because of improved appearance and reliability.

For more information, please visit www.nobelbiocare.com