Implants

Other treatments

A fractured tooth that requires extraction

Appearance of the gum after the tooth extraction

Cross section shows how a ceramic crown fitted to a bone-supported implant

Final result after implant and crown placement is both functional and aesthetic

The loss of a tooth or teeth has several long term consequences.

  • The bone in the site will slowly disappear as it no longer has a function.
  • Adjacent teeth will tend to drift into the extraction space.
  • The remaining teeth may be required to take additional loads.
  • The loss of bone may make dentures more unstable.

    • Dental implants help to preserve the jaw bone and can provide a secure anchorage for crowns,bridges and dentures.

    What is an implant?

    A modern implant is a titanium cylinder or screw. It is made of titanium because this material is accepted by the body and, when placed carefully inside the jaw bone, the bone grows onto the specially treated surface over a period of time. The implant has an internal thread and can be used to support a crown, part of a bridge or a structure to maintain a denture.

    A single missing tooth can be replaced aesthetically without the need to drill adjacent teeth. This is especially valuable at the front of the mouth.

    Implants after the loss of all teeth.

    Implants can be used to give greater support and stability to removable dentures where all or some teeth are missing. Specially made dentures can clip onto a bar, which is held firmly by implants in the jaw bone.

    Why implants?

    The use of implants allows several desirable treatment options to become possible. Implants can be used to replace missing teeth without the need to drill adjacent teeth as for a conventional bridge. Implants can also enable a fixed bridge to become possible where previously a removable denture was the only option.

    What is needed?

    General health must be good. Smoking adversely affects healing throughout the body, and especially so in the mouth.
    Therefore, smoking should be stopped or drastically reduced.
    Oral hygiene and dental health must be good. A special dental x-ray will reveal if there is sufficient bone available for the implant(s) and if it is of good enough quality. If there is not enough bone present, there are well established techniques to increase the amount of available bone, prior to the implant placement.

    What is involved?

    Surgical placement of implant(s) needs an appointment of an hour or more.
    The healing period in the bone may take 4-6 months.
    A follow up x-ray will reveal suitable healing and integration.
    A minor procedure will prepare the implant for the impressions and fit of the crowns or overdenture.
    The construction of the prosthesis usually takes two weeks or so. Implants need particular cleaning techniques which differ from those for natural teeth. Good oral hygiene is critical for long term success.