Dental Implants in Balcatta

Dental implants provide an anchorage for the replacement of missing teeth. These implants are made of titanium post embedded in the gum and bone. They act as a replacement for the roots of the teeth. Dental implants serve as a post where the replacement teeth can be attached, giving that natural tooth look and feel.

Any patient with a missing tooth could be a candidate for dental implants. However, to ensure the long-lasting success of treatment, patients must meet specific criteria.

1. Patients with a missing tooth or teeth
   Dental implants are very efficient in replacing missing teeth. Whether one, two, or even when all teeth are missing, dental implants can be used to replace them.
   
   
2. Patients without gum disease
   Gum diseases like gingivitis and periodontitis can increase the risk of implant failure. These diseases can lead to bone loss which is detrimental to dental implants since implants are embedded into the bone.
   
   
3. Patients without uncontrolled medical diseases or significant medical conditions
   Dental implant patients undergo surgical therapy to place the dental implant. Because of this, the patient must be in good health. He must not have any uncontrolled medical disease or significant medical conditions that may affect the healing of the bone and wound or may cause complications during the surgery.
   
   
4. Patients who observe proper oral hygiene
   Dental implant patients must be able to maintain good oral hygiene. Even if the dental implant is not made out of the same material as the teeth, this does not mean that it is not susceptible to oral diseases. Patients who fail to maintain good oral hygiene are at risk of developing diseases such as peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis. Both of these conditions can lead to implant failure.
   
   
5. Patients with enough bone support
   The quality of the bone where the implant will be embedded is a crucial factor in achieving treatment success. When the patient comes in, the dentist will take measurements of the bone and x-rays to know if there is enough bone to support the dental implant. If the bone is not enough, your dentist will recommend specific procedures like the placement of bone grafts to augment this deficiency.

Dental implants offer an excellent alternative to replacing missing teeth. Aside from this, dental implants offer the following benefits.

• Dental implants provide teeth replacements closest to your natural teeth. Since the implant is embedded into the jaw bone, it can mimic how tooth roots in the bone hold a tooth. This way, the replacement teeth can have a solid anchorage without the need to attach to adjacent teeth.
  
  
• Dental implants can restore natural chewing function. Crowns, bridges and dentures placed on implants have a solid and secure attachment to the bone. Because of this, patients can feel confident when eating food without worrying about their dentures becoming loose.
  
  
•  Dental implants prevent bone loss. Unlike traditional dentures that cause the jaw bone to shrink and change the shape of the face, dental implants can prevent the bone from shrinking, maintaining the natural shape and appearance of the face.
  
  
• Dental implants offer a long-term solution to missing teeth. Properly placed dental implants can last longer than traditional tooth replacements. It is more durable and more resistant to breakage.

Once your dentist determines that you’re a good candidate for implants, he will evaluate the best position for your implants in your jaw bone. With x-rays and other measuring tools, he will evaluate the quality of bone you have to know if there is adequate bone tissue to support the implant. He will also ensure that your implant does not come too close to other teeth or any critical areas like the sinus. Your dentist will also decide how many implants you will need. Once you and your dentist agree to the treatment plan, you can proceed with the surgery.

After numbing the area, your dentist will make a small incision on your gums. He will drill holes deep into the bone where the titanium posts will be implanted, then suture your gums close. Your wound and your bone are given time to heal so that new bone grows around the implant. This is called osseointegration, and it usually lasts for three to six months. Once the implant is secured to the bone, a small connector called an abutment is attached to the implant. Your dentist will take an impression which will be used to fabricate a crown, bridge or denture. Once fabricated, the finished crown, bridge or denture will be attached to the implant.

The placement of a dental implant requires dental surgery, and like any other surgery, this procedure poses some risk. These risks include:

• Implant failure due to infection
• Injury or damage to surrounding teeth
• Injury to the blood vessels and nerves causing pain or numbness of natural teeth, gums, lips, or chin
• Sinus problems, when dental implants in the upper jaw pierce through the sinus cavities

As rare as these risks are, they can be minimised with the proper management of an experienced dentist and a healthy, compliant patient.

The main difference between implant-supported dentures and traditional dentures is their manner of retention to the jaw bone. Implant-supported dentures are anchored on implants embedded into the bone compared to traditional dentures that rely on suction and adhesives for attachment. Because of the stable anchorage of the implant, implant-supported dentures have far better retention than traditional dentures. With it, patients no longer need to worry about their dentures being loose and slipping out of their mouths when talking or eating.

Implant-supported dentures are also considered the closest denture to natural teeth because they feel and function like real teeth. Since it is firmly attached to the bone, patients feel like it is natural teeth, and they can talk and chew better with this type of denture.

The titanium implants used to attach implant-supported dentures can also stimulate the growth of jaw bone. Compared to traditional dentures, which tend to cause shrinkage of the bone and change the shape of the face, implant-supported dentures do not cause bone shrinkage, and it prevents the shrunken face appearance that results from tooth loss over time.

The cost of a single dental implant can range anywhere between $2,950 to $5,520. This includes the cost of the crown attached to the implant. The total cost of dental implants depends on the number of implants needed and the type of prosthesis that will be attached to them.

In comparison, implants are more costly than traditional dentures. However, despite the expensive cost of treatment, more and more people are considering having them because the advantages brought about by implants make it worth it.

Once osseointegration is finished, and the prosthesis is attached, the success of the implant depends on patient care. The patient must practise good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing religiously to maintain the dental implant. This can significantly minimise the risk of having dental problems that can affect the dental implant and cause its failure. 

Patients must visit the dentist for a check-up every three months for assessment. These check-ups will allow the dentist to monitor the patient’s oral hygiene, the condition of the gums, and any bone changes.