Dental
Implant Surgery: What You Need to Know
By Jess Moss
No surgery is without risk, but some are more or less risky than
others. Dental implant surgery is one of the lowest risk surgeries you're
ever likely to undergo. The implants which are placed into the jaw bone
are made from titanium which bonds directly with your bones, leading to a
strong and stable implant placement and the metal has a high level of
biocompatibility meaning that allergic reactions are practically unheard
of.
The dental implant surgery process takes place in stages and will never
be the same for any two patients, since healing times and requirements
will vary so much from person to person. Generally, though, much prior
preparation is carried out to ensure that the surgery runs as smoothly as
possible. This will include x-rays, examinations, inspection of patient's
medical history and production of models to help the surgeon with accurate
implant placement.
When the time comes for the surgery to be carried out, the first stage
is the placement of the implant. Some patients will have this part carried
out at the same time as the removal of the natural tooth, but others will
have this carried out long after the original tooth has been lost or
removed. The treatment will involve having the gum lifted back and the
implant inserted into the bone with a small amount of drilling. The dental
implant surgery is carried out under local anaesthetic in most cases,
although in certain countries nervous patients can request full sedation.
Using a local rather than general anaesthetic is considered to be much
lower risk to the patient. Some pain and discomfort is inevitable after
completion of this stage of the treatment.
Next, some patients will require the implant to be exposed so that a
connecting abutment may be attached, before the final restoration is
placed on top. However, modern implant systems have negated this step,
with the abutment attached in the first instance with the implant. Once
this stage is completed the final restoration either a crown, bridge or
denture, will be made up in a lab and fitted.
After dental implant surgery, healing is not especially arduous. The
soft tissues will normally heal within only two or three weeks but the
bone is a different story. Titanium embeds itself and bonds directly with
the bone in a process called osseointegration. This can take six or eight
weeks, or even longer and patients should try not to put too much pressure
on their new teeth within this time.
To find out more about the process of
dental implant surgery and what to expect, visit the Neoss website.
They are world leaders in dental implantology solutions and can offer
advice and information to patients and dentists. Visit:
http://www.neoss.com
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jess_Moss
http://EzineArticles.com/?Dental-Implant-Surgery:-What-You-Need-to-Know&id=6133297
Is there an age factor for implants?
Dental Implants are small, titanium, screw-shaped threaded cylinders
that are placed into the bone in the upper (Maxillary) and/or lower
(Mandibular) arches of the mouth. They are used to replace one or many
missing teeth, or to stabilize dentures. Titanium is an inert metal that
is capable of creating a very tight bond with bone. Titanium is used in
other operations such as knee or hip replacements -- so it is a proven
surgical component.
The implant acts like the root of a natural tooth, and bone actually
forms around a special coating on the implant to hold the implant firmly
in place. This process is referred to as osseointegration. A crown, with
the look, feel, and function of a natural tooth is then affixed to an
abutment which is connected to the implant. The 'abutment' is simply a
small connecting piece between the implant and the crown.
In cases where there are multiple missing teeth, or where the patient
has previously had dentures, multiple implants are placed in the mouth to
allow for implant-supported crowns or bridges, ball abutment retained
overdentures, and/or bar-supported overdentures.
The success rate for dental implants is very high; and, with proper
care, good dental hygiene, and a healthy life style, it is rare that
implants will fail. Today, Dental Implants are the most successful
surgical procedure of all routine surgical procedures performed. Over the
past 30 years, hundreds of thousands of implants have been placed. Many of
the 'original' implants are still functioning without problems. Technology
and procedures have advanced significantly since the first implants were
placed. Some failed implants can be attributed to an unhealthy lifestyle
(smoking), or to poor dental hygiene. "Dental Implants have been shown in
some cases to have a greater than 98% success rate." (Dental Economics,
AAID Implant Insight Newsletter).
The health of the patient is a far more important factor than the
patient's age. Dental Implants have been placed in patients in their
teens. Implants have also been placed in patients in their 80s, allowing
them a new lease on life. As a result they have achieved better
nutritional standards, and appear physically younger. New techniques and
advancements in implant dentistry allow the practitioner to augment bone
structure in cases where bone was insufficient for placing implants. So,
even though you have lost teeth many years ago, or have worn conventional
dentures for many years, and have subsequently lost some bone mass, this
can be reversed through bone augmentation.
It has been demonstrated through long-term studies that endosseous
implants regularly last for periods up to 25 years and more. The
effectiveness and durability of dental implants is often determined by the
patient's lifestyle. For example, those who smoke, have poor oral hygiene,
or grind their teeth, will likely have a lower success rate and shorter
implant-life.
During the procedure, the treatment area is anaesthetized in virtually
the same way as for other dental, or cosmetic dentistry procedure.
Patients will normally experience only mild discomfort after the
procedure. This can be controlled by over-the-counter or prescription
medication, and antibiotics. In almost all cases, the patient will return
to work, or their regular routine, the next day. A regimen of daily mouth
care will be prescribed by the dentist, together with suggestions for
nutritional supplements, and diet.
It is advisable to choose a practitioner who has the knowledge and
training necessary to perform dental implant treatment. The Leigh Smile
Center encourages you to ask questions regarding qualifications, training,
success rates, and the length of time the practitioner has been performing
implant related treatments. You are also encouraged to compare the costs
involved as well as the level of after-care that the practitioner
provides, and the availability of that practitioner should complications
arise. It is for your own benefit to be an informed consumer; especially
where it involves your health or your quality of life.
"There is now overwhelming evidence that a 2-implant overdenture should
become the first choice of treatment for the edentulous mandible."
"Patients have a significantly higher quality of life and improved
nutritional state with stabilized dentures." - from a McGill University
article in the Journal of the Canadian Dental Association Sept. 2002, Vol.
68, No. 8. Pg. 469.
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr_Robert_Leigh
http://EzineArticles.com/?Dental-Implants-and-Age&id=6118991
Compare Dental
Plans |
