Dental Implant
A dental implant (also known as an endosseous implant or fixture) is a surgical component that interfaces with the bone of the jaw or skull to support a dental prosthesis such as a crown, bridge, denture, facial prosthesis or to act as an orthodontic anchor. The basis for modern dental implants is a biologic process called osseointegration where materials, such as titanium, form an intimate bond to bone. The implant fixture is first placed, so that it is likely to osseointegrate, then a dental prosthetic is added. A variable amount of healing time is required for osseointegration before either the dental prosthetic (a tooth, bridge or denture) is attached to the implant or an abutment is placed which will hold a dental prosthetic.
Do I need Dental Implant?
If you are missing one or more teeth, then you may be a candidate for dental implants. A candidate for dental implants should be in a good state of health. You should inform your dentist of any systemic illness or condition that may adversely affect healing. Conditions such as diabetes may not prevent you from having dental implant surgery provided that the disease is being treated successfully. Any concerns that you may have regarding your medical history should be discussed with your dentist at the consultation appointment. A candidate for dental implants should have enough high quality bone to support the implant(s).
When a tooth is lost, the surrounding bone begins to change and may slowly disappear. This slow process is called resorption. If the amount of resorption is slight, then a dental implant may be placed into the bone. However, if the amount of resorption is too great, there may be insufficient bone available to support the implant and bone grafting may be required prior to implant surgery. At the consultation appointment, a complete examination will be performed and you will be informed of the condition of your bone and the options you have with regard to dental implants. Also if you are an inveterate paan or paan parag eater, less than good at maintaining oral hygeine,you should’nt consider implants.
Dental Implant Composition
Dental implant is made of titanium. In some implant with some percentage of aluminum and vanadium to increase the osseo integration.
Dental Implant Surgery
Dental implant surgery requires prior detailed planning. Study of vital structures in the bone. This is done with the help of X-rays. Some times dental implant can be done immediately after extraction and in same cases we have to wait for few month for bone formation. Dental implant procedure is usually done under local anaesthesia. Flap is raised and a pilot hole is made in the bone. Before placing implant in the bone drilling of bone done in several separate steps. Then the implant is screwed into proper place. Special instruments and machines are used for placing Dental implant.
Major and Minor Bone Grafting
Over a period of time, the jawbone associated with missing teeth is reabsorbed. This often leaves a condition in which there is poor quality and quantity of bone not suitable for placement of dental implants. Today, we have the ability to grow bone where needed. This gives us the opportunity to place implants of proper length and width.
Bone grafting can repair implant sites with inadequate bone structure due to previous extractions, gum disease or injuries. Sinus bone grafts are also performed to replace bone in the posterior upper jaw. In addition, special membranes may be utilized that dissolve under the gum and protect the bone graft and encourage bone regeneration. This is called guided bone regeneration or guided tissue regeneration. Major bone grafts are typically performed to repair defects of the jaws.
Sinus Lift Procedure
The maxillary sinuses are behind your cheeks and on top of the upper teeth. Some of the roots of the natural upper teeth extend up into the maxillary sinuses. When these upper teeth are removed, there is often just a thin wall of bone separating the maxillary sinus and the mouth. Dental implants need bone to hold them in place. When the sinus wall is very thin, it is impossible to place dental implants in this bone.
There is a solution and it’s called a sinus graft or sinus lift graft. The dental implant surgeon enters the sinus from where the upper teeth used to be. The sinus membrane is then lifted upward and donor bone is inserted into the floor of the sinus. Keep in mind that the floor of the sinus is the roof of the upper jaw. After several months of healing, the bone becomes part of the patient’s jaw and dental implants can be inserted and stabilized in this new sinus bone.
If enough bone between the upper jaw ridge and the bottom of the sinus is available to stabilize the implant well, sinus augmentations and implant placement can sometimes be performed as a single procedure. If not enough bone is available, the Sinus Augmentation will have to be performed first, then the graft will have to mature for several months, depending upon the type of graft material used. Once the graft has matured, the implants can be placed.
Ridge Expansion
In severe cases, the ridge has been reabsorbed and a bone graft is placed to increase ridge height and/or width. This is a technique used to restore the lost bone dimension when the jaw ridge gets too thin to place conventional implants. In this procedure, the bony ridge of the jaw is literally expanded by mechanical means. Bone graft material can be placed and matured for a few months before placing the implant.
Dental Implant Cost
Dental implant is a little costly procedure. In U.S.A & U.K it cost around $2000 and in India Dental Implant are available at affordable cost.
Dental Implant Plan
Dental implant is done under anaesthesia . During procedure and post operative also it is painless.