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Dental Implants
The Wisdom Tooth by Wynn H. Okuda, D.M.D.

Before

After

Dental implants have been a part of restorative dental procedures for about 30 years. Through the years, the dental profession has seen incredible progress in all aspects of implants, from placement techniques to the implant materials to the longevity and the esthetic quality. Originally invented in Sweden, dental implants are made of ultra-strong titanium and looks like a large screw.

Dental implants are for situations where a single tooth, several teeth or a whole arch of teeth are missing. Implants not only stabilize the restoration that sits on top of it, but also stimulate bone growth around the implant. If a tooth is missing, the gums and bone it was attached to are no longer stimulated by the blood supply and activity of that tooth. Therefore, with the tooth gone, the surrounding bone and gums may resorb or melt away. Furthermore, the opposing tooth (on the opposite jaw) no longer has something to bite against, and may grow towards the space created by the missing tooth.

Implants are placed during a surgical procedure, directly in the jawbone and under the gums. The number of implants required depends on each person’s individual situation. The surgical site with the implants are then left (under the gums) to allow the bone to grow around the implant and "osseo-integrate". Four to six months after the first surgery, the implant is uncovered from under the gums. An "abutment" or implant post is then connected to it, and the gums are given time to heal around this abutment. About a month later, a final tooth restoration is custom-made to fit onto the abutment. This final restoration could be a crown, bridge or denture.

There seems to be a common misconception that implants will continually hurt as long as they are in. The fact is that this is not the case if the implant is properly placed. Naturally, there is some discomfort immediately after surgery. However, advancements in medication for dentistry can address the pain. As the site quickly heals, post surgical pain subsides.

Before implants, people with dentures (a full arch of fabricated teeth) or partials (several fabricated teeth) had no options when they were unable to get a firm, strong bite on food. Nutrition and overall health is highly dependent on a person’s ability to chew a variety of foods. A person may shy away from certain foods either because certain teeth are missing, their teeth don’t meet each other (occlude) properly, or there is not enough force due to slippage of a denture. For example, the inability to bite and chew foods with a harder or firmer consistency may lead a person to eat more unhealthy foods like french fries and chips instead of fresh fruit and vegetables. It is extremely challenging to eat a balanced diet of only softer foods. Implants can ensure that a healthy diet is maintained.

Another common misconception is that dentures are better than having to maintain and care for natural teeth. I hear this quite often. For example, sometimes patients with periodontal (gum) disease may have to take additional measures to preserve their teeth, such as using a medicated rinse after brushing and receiving special professional dental cleanings. They may decide that if their teeth are removed and dentures are substituted for them, then their oral health care would be easier. They assume the ability to chew with natural teeth and dentures are the same. The truth is the majority of dentures never feel comfortable!! Due to a variety of factors, the initial custom fit of dentures may loosen over time. That’s why you see so many television and magazine advertisements for denture adhesive pastes.

The bottom line is if we were meant to wear dentures, we would have been born with dentures! However, when you pair dental implants with dentures, the implants create a solid foundation and stability that is unmatched by dentures alone.

How long an implant can last is reliant on many factors. Although no restoration in dentistry is guaranteed to last forever, dental implants could last ten to fifteen years, or more, depending on how well the implant is cared for professionally and at home.

Dental implants may sound too good to be true, but unfortunately not everyone is a good candidate for implants. People with inadequate bone density in the jaw or those with certain medical or dental conditions may be physically unable to have implants placed.

We live in such a great era of dentistry where people are able to benefit incredibly from technology in implant dentistry. Progress in the area of cosmetic dentistry allows people to have implants in the most visible area of their smile and have it look natural. Implants offer bone and gum stimulation, and stability to restorations which lets people eat to their heart’s desire. Although there is no exact replacement to a healthy, natural tooth, dental implants allow dental professionals to give their patients one more reason to smile.