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Implants
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Naturally, the effects of tooth loss vary from person to person and depend on what have been lost. Losing a crown means losing the visible part of your tooth and this may affect your confidence. However, if you lose the root as well, you have lost the unseen part of your tooth and although this may not affect you aesthetically, it is undoubtedly the most important part of the tooth.
The root anchors the tooth to your jawbone, acting as a foundation for the crown. Without the root, the bone around the missing tooth will gradually recede causing the remaining teeth to shift. If this is allowed to continue chewing will become more and more difficult.
For those who have lost all their teeth in an upper or lower jaw, the long-term problems are even greater. The bone shrinks after tooth loss. This causes the nerves to become exposed and the dentures will lack support. Loose fitting dentures can cause further problems and lead to sore gum tissue and additional pain.
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A dental implant is made of titanium and shaped like a screw. The dental implant is placed into the jawbone and serves as a secure root for the new tooth. Once the dental implant is in place, several different types of dental restorations, such as crowns, bridges or dentures, can be attached.
There are several situations where dental implants may be considered.
(1) Dental Implant replacement of a single tooth.
(2) Dental Implant replacement of several teeth.
(3) Dental Implant replacement of full upper or lower jaw. |
| Replacement of a single tooth |
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Dental Implant
replacement of a
single tooth
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When both the tooth and root are damaged, the best permanent replacement is a dental implant in conjunction with a ceramic crown. This solution both looks and functions just like a natural tooth.
The most common method for replacing a single missing tooth is with a fixed bridge that is cemented to the teeth on either side of a missing tooth. With all fixed bridges the teeth adjacent to the space must be reduced to properly hold the bridge. The most conservative bridge is a Resin-Bonded Bridge (RBB), sometimes called a Maryland bridge. the resin-Bonded Bridge offers the advantage of minimal reduction of adjacent teeth to support the missing tooth. this type of bridge can only be used under certain circumstances. A conventional bridge requires that the teeth on either side of the space be reduced in size to take room for crown which are then cemented onto the prepared teeth. The artificial replacement tooth is attached to these crowns prior to cementation. when properly maintained, the resin bonded bridge and the conventional bridge can last many years.
Implants can be considered to replace a single tooth. Often when the teeth on either side of the space are in good health, an implant may be the most conservative means of replacing the missing teeth because the adjacent teeth do not have to be reduced.
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1. The first step is the placement of the titanium implant. The implant will remain covered underneath the gum for approximately 3 to 6 months. During this time, the implant should fuse to the bone.
2. The second step of procedure involves uncovering the implant and attaching a post. This completes the foundation on which your new tooth will be placed. In some instances, the implant dentist may decide to place the post at the time of the initial surgery.
3. The final step is the placement of your new tooth by your dentist. With techniques that ensure optimal size, shape, color and fit, this replacement tooth should blend with your remaining teeth.
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| Before and After Treatment |
Before Dental Implant replacement
Before Dental Implant replacement |
After Dental Implant replacement
After Dental Implant replacement |
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| Replacement of several teeth |
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3 Implants + 3 unit Bridges
 2 Implants + 3 unit Bridges
2 Implants + 4 unit Bridges |
When two or three adjacent teeth are missing, a bridge may be the treatment of choice depending on the condition of the teeth next to the space and the bone supporting these teeth. The more missing teeth to be replaced, the greater the force that is placed on the remaining teeth which support the artificial teeth.
In some cases, when there are not enough teeth, a conventional bridge is not possible and a removable rartial denture will have to be considered to replace the missing teeth. A partial denture spreads the force to the adjacent teeth as well as to the underlying bone and gum tissue. A removable partial denture is less expensive than a conventional bridge. However, a partial denture is more bulky and less stable than a bridge and often times metal clasps will be seen when smiling. In some cases, the partial denture may cause deterioration of the natural teeth due to excessive forces.
When an implant is placed in the space where the teeth are missing, it can help by absorbing some of the load created by chewing forces and therefore make it eassier for the adjacent natural teeth to withstand the forces. When an implant is placed in the space where the teeth are missing, a bridge may be considered instead of a removable partial denture. |
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1. The first step is the placement of the titanium implants to replace lost teeth. These implants will remain covered underneath the gum for approximately 3 to 6 months. During this time, the implant should fuse to the bone.
2. The second step of procedure involves uncovering the implant and attaching a post to each implant. This completes the foundation on which your teeth will be placed. In some instances, the implant dentist may decide to place the posts at the time of surgery.
3. The final step is the placement of your new teeth by your dentist. With techniques that ensure optimal size, shape, color and fit, your replacement teeth should blend with your remaining natural teeth. |
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| Before and After Treatment |
Before Dental Implant replacement
Before Dental Implant replacement
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After Dental Implant replacement
After Dental Implant replacement
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| Replacement of full upper or lower jaw |
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Dental Implant + Bar attachment + Overdenture
Dental Implant + Ball + Overdenture
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The conventional method of replacing all the teeth in a jaw is with a complete denture. If the jaw bone does not provide sufficient support, sometimes surgical procedures can be done to improve support and retention for the complete denture. These surgical procedures can include moving the position of muscle attachments or placing bone grafts.
A complete denture rests on the gums. In the upper jaw it also rests on the roof of the mouth. In addition to chewing forces being spread over a larger area, forces that might tend to dislodge the denture are offset by a suction which forms between it and the roof of the mouth. this suction helps to keep the denture in place. Most people are able to adapt reasonably well to an upper complete denture. However, a lower complete denture is considerably more difficult to wear. The forces are applied over a smaller area and due to the movements of the tongue a suction usually can not be developed. The constant pressure on the gums under the dentures can cause slow changes in the underlying bone which result in the dentures losing their fit. For this reason complete dentures should be professionally examined at regular intervals, and when the tissues show sufficient change, the dentures should be relined, rebased, or remade, depending on the specific conditions. When improperly fitted dentures continue to be worn, the pressure may result in excessive bone loss. Eventually, so much bone loss can occur that a well fitting complete denture can not longer be made. Under these circumstances, implants may be the treatment of choice.
Implants May be placed at selected sites to help retain a denture. The implants can be connected by a bar or left standing slong to give the denture the added retention required. In selected cases it may also be possible to attach a permanent bridge to these implants. |
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1. The first step is the placement of the titanium implants to replace lost teeth. These implants will remain covered underneath the gum for approximately 3 to 6 months. During this time, the implant should fuse to the bone.
2. The second step of procedure involves uncovering the implant and attaching a post to each implant. This completes the foundation on which your teeth will be placed. In some instances, the implant dentist may decide to place the posts at the time of surgery.
3. The final step is the placement of your new teeth by your dentist. With techniques that ensure optimal size, shape, color and fit, your replacement teeth should blend with your facial characteristics while providing support needed for natural appearance.
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| Removable Option |
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| 1. The first step is the placement of the titanium implants to replace lost teeth. These implants will remain covered underneath the gum for approximately 3 to 6 months. During this time, the implant should fuse to the bone.
2. The second step of procedure involves uncovering the implant and attaching a post to each implant. In some instances, the implant dentist may decide to place the posts at the time of surgery.
3. The final step is the placement of your new teeth by your dentist. First a bar or other attachment will be affixed to the posts, completing the foundation on which your removable reatoration will be placed. With techniques that ensure optimal size, shape, color and fit, this removable restoration will blend with your facial characteristics, while providing support needed for natural appearance.
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| Before and After Treatment |
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