DENTAL IMPLANTS : FACTS TO KNOW

• What are dental implants ? 

  • Dental implants are screws replacing the tooth roots surgically implanted into the jaw  for replacing tooth and its supported structures. They provide support for artificial (fake) teeth, such as crowns, bridges, or dentures.

• What are dental implants made of ?
  • Most dental implant systems are made of titanium or zirconium oxide. Other materials such as gold alloys, cobalt-based alloys, titanium alloys, or ceramic materials are sometimes used.

 

•  What does a dental implant system contains ? 
  • Dental implant systems has a dental implant body and dental implant abutment and may also include an abutment fixation screw. 
  • Dental implant body  is  surgically inserted in the jawbone in place of the tooth's root.
  • Dental implant abutment extends through gums into the mouth  and over this the artificial crowns are placed. It is usually fixed to implant body with a help of screw. 

 

 

 

• What are the considerations for the patients ?
  • Before opting for dental implants
    • Your overall health is an important factor for the success.  Inform your systemic illness to your dentist without fail. It determines whether you are good candidate for implants.
    • Keep the information regarding the dental implant model and its brand safely . It will be needed in future if the prosthesis go for a repair.
    • Smoking may affect the healing process and decrease the long-term success of the implant.
• The healing process for the implant body may take several months or longer, during which time you typically have a temporary abutment in place of the tooth.
  • After the dental implant procedure
    •  Follow the oral hygiene instructions carefully and regularly . It is very important for long-term success of the implant.
    • Schedule regular visits with your dental provider.
    • If your implant feels loose or painful, tell your dental provider right away.

• What are the benefits of Dental Implant Systems?

  • Restores the ability to chew
  • Restores cosmetic appearance
  • Helps keep the jawbone from shrinking due to bone loss
  • Preserves the health of the surrounding bone and gums
  • Helps keep adjacent (nearby) teeth stable
  • Improves quality of life

 

• What are the risks with dental implant systems ?
  • Injury to the surrounding tissues during surgery, such as sinus perforation
  • A sensation that the tooth is loose or twisting in place resulting from an abutment screw loosening
  • Implant body failure (looseness of the implant body)
    • due to systemic infection, which may be more likely in patients with uncontrolled diabetes
    • due to local infection in bone and gums supporting the implant body due to poor oral hygiene
    • due to delayed healing, which may be more likely in patients who smoke
    • Untreated periodontal disease
  • Post-surgical numbness due to nerve impingement or damage
  • Before any magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or x-ray procedures inform the technicians that you have dental implants since it can distort or interfere with these images. 

 

• Types of implant prosthesis