As we enter the third millennium, an age of technological and medical advancement, with people living longer and healthier lives, lost teeth replaced by removable dentures will become a thing of the past, reserved for the history books.

What is Dental Implant ?

Dental Implants are man-made replacements for natural teeth. The implants themselves are designed to be similar to tooth roots. They are anchored in the jaw bone and replacement teeth are permanently secured upon them.

Procedure

The Implant Placement Procedure

     The Two-Stage Procedure

• First Stage - Surgical placement (can be done with a local anesthetic)
• Second Stage - Uncovering of the implant

Step 1

The implant is screwed or tapped into a surgically prepared site. The gum tissue is closed over the implant.

Step 2

The implant remains under the gum for 3 to 6 months. The patient continues to wear their denture during this period

Step 3

(3 to 6 months later)
The implant is exposed by removing a small amount of gum tissue. An insert can be screwed or cemented down into the implant.

Step 4

The secured insert can accommodate various attachments upon which overdentures, bars, crowns, or bridges may attach.

The One - Stage Procedure

In step 2, the implant, which is placed, has an additional component which protrudes through the gum tissue. This extension of the implant then does not become covered over during the healing phase. Step 3 (above) is therefore not needed. Step 4 is readily achieved (3-6 months later) by unscrewing the additional component which was placed at the surgery and replacing it with the type of insert that is needed for your case.

Firstly, the titanium implant is placed in the jawbone during a minor surgical procedure. The implant will remain covered under the gum for 3-6 months and during this time the implant will become integrated with bone, forming a very strong bond. This process is known as osseointegration.

Once osseointegration has taken place, the ends of the implants are uncovered and connections are attached so that replacement teeth can be put in place.

Since implanted teeth are fixed in the mouth like natural teeth rather than being removable like dentures, they allow the patient to return to the functions associated with natural teeth.

What mouth conditions require dental Implant

If you are missing a tooth or teeth, or even parts of your jaw, these could be replaced with dental Implants. Implants work best when there is enough dense, healthy jawbone in a mouth that will support an implant.

Healthy, disease-free gum tissues are also necessary. The long term success of a dental Implant depends upon keeping the gums and bone around the Implant healthy. People who have Implants must keep them clean and should return regularly to their dentist for checkups, because any problems that might threaten the health of the implant must be corrected.