Dental Implants Calgary

What are Dental Implants?

Dental Implants are artificial replacements which are used in cases of tooth loss. The implant procedure falls under a prosthetics category however it is also categorized into cosmetic dentistry.

There are several options to consider when treating missing teeth. However, dental implants have been proven more functional, effective as well as durable. In fact, there are many cases in which dental implants are the only solution in restoring the proper functions of the teeth along with the supporting structures. Dental implants are also often used to support several dental prostheses such as a crown, bridge and a permanent denture (All on 4).

There are various causes for tooth loss such as the following listed here:

• Root canal failure
• Tooth decay
• Trauma to the mouth
• Periodontitis (gum disease)
• Congenital defects
• Excessive wear and tear

Patients who suffer from tooth loss may experience self-consciousness to the point where they shy away from talking or smiling. Tooth loss can also lead to biting irregularities by negatively effecting eating habits which can lead to malnutrition. Dental implants can not only help raise self-confidence but also help prevent and remedy more serious health problems caused by tooth loss.

Dental Implant Advantages:

Dental implants provide a permanent solution for tooth loss. It is for this reason that implants are used many times alongside other restorative procedures for best results whether supporting a crown in restoring a single tooth or a dental bridge in replacing several missing teeth. Dental implants can even be used with dentures in order to reduce gum irritation and provide better stability.

In the past years, advancements in implant dentistry have allowed for the development of more narrow “mini” implants which has opened the candidacy for many more patients considering dental implants. In some cases calling for more complicated treatment a prosthodontist specializing in such treatment will be called in to complete the procedure. In surgical cases, a periodontist and/or oral surgeon will perform the implant surgery. Consult your dentist to see if you qualify for dental implant treatment.

Dental Implant Procedure:

The success of dental implants today can be attributed structurally and functionally to the connection from the dental implant to living bone. The implants are usually placed in a single setting requiring osseointegration and are virtually indistinguishable from other teeth.

Osseointegration is directly securing a dental implant root to the bone of the jaw. This first part of the implanting process takes three to six months to integrate and heal. Once the implant is secure in the jawbone an artificial prosthesis (crown, bridge etc.) can be attached to complete the procedure. Osseointegration is the crucial process to ensure the success of an implant, without it the implant would fail.

Dental Implants Preparation:

A dental implant is comprised of a titanium material screw and a crown which is then drilled through a tiny hole known as a pilot hole and drilled into empty jaw site where the tooth is missing. This helps to maneuver the screw and maintain the placement of a dental implant.  Dentists performing such procedures possess the skill and expertise to avoid damage to vital jaw and facial structures such as in the lower jaw (mandible) when drilling into the jaw bone.

Dental Implants Placement:

After the pilot is drilled into the jaw site, it is then slowly and carefully widened to create space for the screw’s placement. A protective cover screw is then placed over the site to allow for the osseointegration and healing process to take part.  Several months after this anchorage has healed, the protective cover is discarded and a temporary crown is put on top of the implant as a template to allow the gum to grow and naturally reshapes itself. Finally, the temporary crown is then replaced with a permanent crown and the procedure is complete.

Dental Implants Success:

Studies have shown that 95 percent of lower jaw implants and 90 percent of upper jaw implants are successful making dental implants among the most effective procedures found in dentistry today. The reason upper jaw implants show a slightly lower success rate is due to the fact that the lower jaw is denser than the upper jaw which makes the anchorage of a successful implant harder to achieve.

There can be no guarantee that an implant procedure will be successful. Although the cause for the failure of an implant can usually be found the inability of the osseointegration to complete, there may be other reasons attributing to implant failure. If an implant is poorly placed, osseointegration might not take place, the implant could break or even become infected (as do natural teeth)or a crown may simply become loose.

Smokers are at high risk for implant failure and often advised to give up your habit before undergoing the procedure as it can be quite expensive. Patients who smoke risk wasting their money on such procedures if they do not quit.

The good news is that dental implants aren’t vulnerable to the formation of cavities. However, poor oral hygiene can cause peri-implantitis to develop around the implants instead which is equal to periodontitis (severe gum disease) that can develop around natural teeth.

New Dental Implants Procedures:

A recent strategy used by dentists is early intervention, meaning that implants are inserted into locations in which teeth have freshly been extracted. When successful the procedure can take months off treatment because the osseointegration process is sped up. However, the candidacy for such treatment depends upon the anatomical factors within the extraction site. If the tooth site ends up being broader than the implant, the implant cannot be placed immediately after the extraction; in this case dental work must first be performed in order to ensure an ideal fit for the implant. As for small teeth and incisors with narrow spaces, the placement of mini implants is often used.