What is an Implant?
Dental implants are titanium screws that are inserted into the jaw bone. They fuse with the bone and act as anchors for tooth replacements. Their emergence from the bone allows biting forces to be directly transmitted, thus making them look and feel like a natural tooth. Implants can help to improve chewing, replace missing teeth without subjecting adjacent teeth to invasive procedures, and improve denture stability.
Do Implants Always Work?
For an implant to be placed successfully, there needs to be sufficient bone volume, which is determined by the bone anatomy and vital structures in the vicinity, such as the sinuses (in the upper jaw) and nerve bundles (in the lower jaw). The overall health of the patient is also taken into consideration to ensure that there are no contraindications for implant placement.
Will I Immediately Have a Tooth for Use?
Not yet. Implant treatment is carried out in a few stages.
How Would I Know If I Am a Suitable Candidate for Implants?
At KTPH, implants are managed by a team of specialists consisting of oral surgeons, gum specialists, and crown specialists. The specialists will examine your oral condition and take radiographs to ascertain the locations of vital structures and bone volume. It is possible that there might be insufficient bone due to prior dental infection, and the bone will need to be replenished either with commercially prepared bone or bone harvested from other parts of your jaw.
What Does the Treatment Process Involve?
The first stage involves the placement of the implant screw via a surgery done either under local or general anaesthesia. The implant is then allowed to heal and “fuse” with the bone for 3 to 6 months before it is able to withstand biting forces.
Upon successful healing, the implants are restored with crowns, bridges, or dentures.
How Long Will an Implant Last?
Good oral hygiene is important to ensure the longevity of an implant. It requires maintenance with regular brushing and flossing, the same way you would care for your other remaining teeth.
Although implants are not susceptible to dental decay, the surrounding gums may still become inflamed as a result of poor oral hygiene. This condition is called peri-implantitis, which, if left unchecked, can lead to bone loss and eventual loosening of the implant.
You must also maintain good general health, as conditions such as poorly controlled diabetes could predispose you to oral infections. Smoking is also harmful, as nicotine deposits can negatively affect both implants and natural teeth.
Hence, maintaining good oral hygiene and general health, along with regular check-ups, will help your implant last a long time.
Can Implants Help If I Have No Teeth and Struggle with Dentures?
Definitely. In such cases, implants can be inserted into strategic locations in the jawbone to act as “anchors” to which the denture secures onto, enhancing stability and retention.
This method of treatment has improved chewing efficiency for many people struggling to cope with loose dentures. However, this depends on the amount of remaining bone volume that allows for implant placement.
