In recent years, dental implants have become the gold standard for tooth replacement treatment, because of their many benefits.
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants consist of three parts:
| • | The Implant Screw—A small titanium screw that serves as the root element of a prosthetic tooth. |
| • | The Abutment—A support structure that links the implant screw to the restoration. |
| • | The Restoration—A prosthetic, typically made from porcelain or zirconia. Implants can be used to support a single crown, a fixed bridge, or a full mouth restoration. |
Dental implants have revolutionized the way we treat tooth loss. In almost every case, implants are superior to traditional bridges, partial dentures, and complete dentures.
Dental Implant Process
Before you can receive a dental implant, Corbyn VanBrunt, DDS has to determine if you are a suitable candidate for dental implant treatment.
During a consultation appointment, we will conduct a thorough examination, and review your medical and dental histories. We may also take x-rays and create impressions of your teeth and gums.
Patients must have an adequate amount of bone to properly support an implant. For those with bone deterioration, you may need a bone graft before implantation is possible.
Once we have developed a proper and precise treatment plan, we can schedule the procedure. In most cases, the procedure is split into two surgeries. During the first surgery, Corbyn VanBrunt, DDS will make a small incision in the gum tissue to expose the bone. Next, we will drill a tiny hole so the implant can be deeply embedded in the jaw. Once the implant is in place, we will suture the incision.
For the next several months, the implant screw and your jaw will fuse together during the process of osseointegration. Osseointegration is crucial to the success of your implant and is largely responsible for the durability, stability, and longevity of an implant-supported restoration.
After osseointegration is complete, we can schedule the second surgery and place the abutment. In certain circumstances, the abutment can be placed at the same time as the implant screw, which eliminates the need for a second surgery. Once the abutment is in place, we will take an impression, make a model, and send it to the dental laboratory. At the lab, our technicians will use the model to fabricate your final restoration. After your restoration is complete, we will permanently bond it to the abutment.
How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
Despite being invasive surgery, a dental implant is the best choice for patients with good bone health. Dental Implants preserve bone health just like natural teeth do, thus preventing jaw bone deterioration, as seen with people with only dentures. If a patient takes proper care of their dental implant, it can last over 25 years. However, factors such as improper oral hygiene, facial trauma, smoking, or drinking can reduce the lifespan of a dental implant.
Here at Smiles of Tulsa, our dentist Corbyn VanBrunt, DDS believes that dental implantation only needs to be done once. They take the utmost care to ensure your implant is of the best quality and fixed correctly so that you never have any problems.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants have some benefits that make them the ideal solution for tooth loss. For instance, implant-supported restorations are made from the strongest and most esthetically-pleasing material available. Your restoration will look, feel, and function just like your natural teeth. You will be able to eat all of your favorite foods, without worrying about damaging your restoration.
Implant screws also prevent bone deterioration and other complications with your adjacent teeth. Once you lose a tooth, you lose the physical stimulation your jawbone needs to remain healthy. An implant screw provides the necessary stimulation to prevent deterioration. Also, an implant-supported restoration does not affect your adjacent teeth, unlike traditional bridges and partial dentures.
Dental implants are the most advanced treatment available to replace missing teeth. They are the most durable and natural looking restoration. Dental implants are an alternative to traditional dentures and bridges that should be carefully considered. They are made from biocompatible materials, usually titanium, and are surgically inserted into the jawbone to mimic tooth roots. After placement, the implants fuse with the bone in a process called osseointegration.
These artificial tooth roots provide the most stable foundation available for artificial teeth. Dental implants function exactly like natural teeth. This allows our patients to eat, speak, and smile with confidence. In addition, dental implants stimulate bone growth in the jaw. This prevents the bone loss and changes to facial structure that occur with missing teeth.
Dental Implant Procedure
A dental implant procedure replaces missing teeth with a restoration that mimics natural teeth all the way down to the root. Because of these artificial roots, implants also mimic the natural teeth in appearance and function.
The procedure begins with a thorough examination and imaging to assess bone health in the jaw. After the patient has been determined to be a good candidate, a titanium post is inserted into the jawbone to serve as a secure foundation for the artificial tooth or teeth. After some time spent healing, the implant fuses with the bone. Then an abutment is attached to connect the dental implant to a crown, implant supported bridge, or implant supported dentures. These prosthetics are custom made to match the patient's natural teeth. A dental implant procedure offers a durable, long term solution to restore both the form and function of the smile.
Implant Materials
Dental implants are typically made from titanium, a metal known for its strength, and biocompatibility. Titanium implants are preferred because they are durable and reliable for securing prosthetic teeth. In some cases, zirconia implants, known for their appearance and biocompatibility, are used. Both materials provide stable foundations for artificial teeth, and offer patients an effective, seamless, long term solution for tooth replacement.
Implant Care & Maintenance
Proper care and maintenance of dental implants is crucial to their long term success. Regular brushing and flossing, along with routine dental check ups, help maintain oral hygiene and prevent plaque buildup around the implant. Patients are advised to avoid hard foods, teeth grinding, and clenching to prolong the lifespan of their implants. We may recommend special cleaning tools or practices to clean around the implant and abutment. With diligent care dental implants provide a durable replacement for missing teeth.
Implant Types
Dental implants come in different types to suit different needs. Endosteal implants are the most common. They are placed directly into the jawbone and ideal for patients with sufficient bone density. However, subperiosteal implants sit on top of the jawbone and are used when bone height is insufficient for endosteal implants. Another option, zygomatic implants, anchor into the cheekbone rather than the jawbone. These are for patients with severe bone loss in the upper jaw. Each type offers unique advantages that cater to individual patient needs, and they all provide effective solutions for tooth replacement.
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