Dental Implants

Regain Your Youthful Looking Smile AND Your Confidence...

Dental implants are metal (Titanium) screws that can be placed in the bone and after a short healing period (depending on the local and systemic factors) a crown or bridge can be placed on the implants. There is no damage to the adjacent tooth or teeth and the procedure can be done under local anaesthesia. The postoperative pain and swelling is minimal. It is surprising to see patient with dental extraction experiencing more pain in comparison to inserting dental implants.
In the early 1960s, Branemark and co-workers at the University of Gotenborg started developing a novel implant that for clinical function depended on direct bone anchorage - termed osseointegration. Once Osseointegration has occurred, a replacement tooth can be secured to the top of the implant.

This new tooth can look, feel and perform just like a natural tooth. It is also possible to use multiple implants to support a denture or bridge.

The implant systems we use in this practice are: 3i, Strauman, Astra, Nobel Biocare and IMTEC minimplant systems.

Timing of dental implant treatment:
      1. Immediate restoration: A restoration inserted within 48 hours of implant placement
          but not in occlusion with the opposing dentition.
      2. Immediate Loading: A restoration placed in occlusion with the opposing dentition
          within 48 hours of implant placement.
      3. Conventional Loading: The prosthesis is attached in a second procedure after a
          healing period of 3 to 6 months.
      4. Early Loading: A restoration in contact with the opposing dentition and placed at
          least 48 hours after implant placement but not later than 3 months afterward.
      5. Delayed Loading: The prosthesis is attached in a second procedure that takes place           some time later than the conventional healing period of 3 to 6 months.

Evidence from randomised controlled trials shows increased ability to chew tough food, and increased patient satisfaction with implants in comparison to normal dentures.

There are some risk factors which can reduce the success rate of the dental implants. They can be classified as Systemic and Local factors.

Systemic risk factors: Osteoporosis, Diabetes (Type I and II), Coagulation problems, Hypo/Hyper-parathyroidism, Radiotherapy, Chemotherapy, Crohn`s Disease,  Medications such as Bisphosphonate, Smoking

Local risk factors: Poor plaque control and oral hygiene, Smoking, Bruxism, Active periodontal disease, Lack of primary stability of the implant after insertion, Poor access, High smile line (Aesthetic risk factor).

The complications related to dental implants are as follows:
Mucositis: Localized lesion without bone loss around an osseointegrated implant.
Peri-implantitis: Localized lesion including bone loss around an osseointegrated implant
Soft tissue complications: Fistula, excessive swelling, hyperplasia, etc.
Implant related complications: Fracture, Loosening of connections, Fracture of restorations over the implant or suprastructure.

Factors which can increase the success rate are:

• Type, Size or Diameter, Length, Number and Location of the implants.
• Not smoking
• Good oral hygiene and plaque control
• Not being a Bruxist (Not grinding your teeth)
• Absence of peri-implantitis on review appointments (check with clinical and x-ray examinations)

More information will be given in consultation visit.