What are dental implants?
Dental implants (small dental appliances that are inserted into the upper and lower jaws) help to restore the mouth that has little or no non-restorable teeth. Dental implants are slowly replacing dentures used by some people, as they provide many advantages over traditional dentures.
Advantages of implants over dentures:
For some people, particularly persons with loose or poor fitting dentures due to flat ridges, or persons with multiple missing teeth who need support for crowns and bridges, implants may be considered a more appropriate alternative to fix the appearance of missing teeth than dentures. According to the American Academy of Implant Prosthodontics, implants help to accomplish the following:
Reduce movement of dentures, bridges, and/or crowns
Facilitate proper chewing
Provide support and improved stability for removable dentures or fixed bridge work
Approximate the "feel" of natural teeth better than dentures
Promote "denture self-confidence", as speech and appearance are often improved
Who are likely candidates for implants? There are many variables to be considered before placing an implant:
The patient must be healthy
Healing abilities affected by a disease may affect the successfulness of an implant
A proper diagnosis must be made before an implant can be placed
Placement and technique is specific to each individual candidate
To further prevent complications, the implant(s) must be treated properly by the patient and the dentist
Heavy smoking and drinking may affect the successfulness of an implant
What are the different types of dental implants?
There are many different types of dental implants from which to choose, including:
An artificial bone substitute - This type of implant involves a synthetic bone substitute being fitted on top of the bone to help rebuild the shrinking ridge and provide sturdy support for dentures. Because it is made of the same type of mineral, found in natural bone, this type of implant bonds to the existing jawbone.
Endosteal implants - This type of implant is inserted into the jaw bone to serve as the tooth's root.
Health risks and dental implants:
According to the American Academy of Implant Prosthodontists, implants are made of biologically compatible materials, which have undergone extensive testing over a period of several years. Since these materials are largely metals, such as titanium, and have never been living tissue, there is no likelihood of causing an antigen-antibody response, which could cause rejection similar to that, which sometimes occurs with heart and kidney transplants.
