IMPLANT PROSTHODONTICS UK
California Trained & Licensed Specialist
The key to success in implant dentistry is thorough diagnosis and treatment planning. Sophisiticated treatment requires sophisticating surgical and prosthodontic training.
What is a Dental Implant?
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A dental implant is a sophisticated screw usually made out of pure titanium or titanium alloyed with a small amount of aluminum and vanadium for increased strength. The surface of the dental implant is "sand" blasted and acid-etched or otherwise treated to increase the surface area for contact with bone and improve its biocompatability with bone.
BIOCOMPATABLE DENTAL IMPLANTS
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CERAMOGOLD CROWNS ON IMPLANTS
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Dental implants serve to function as artificial tooth roots. Although some narrow implants are solid structures, most are hollow screws into which is screwed an attachment called an abutment. The abutment projects through the gum into the mouth and a crown is attached to that by cement or another screw. Modern dental implants have been in existence for over twenty years. Considerable advancement in the evolution in dental implants has occurred in the last five years. The latest implants have a success rate of over 95% and a predicted service life of twenty years. Great advances have been made in the surgical techniques for bone grafting and augmentation of deficient sites. Osseointegration is the term used by the profession to describe the biocompatable close approximation of living healthy bone to the surface of the implant.
DENTAL IMPLANTS IN PLACED BONY DEFECT
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Dental implants are artificial replacement for the tooth root made out of high-grade titanium alloy.
They are placed in the jaw bone in a carefully prepared surgical site.
After 4-6 months the titanium implant forms an chemical and micro-mechanical bond with the alveolar bone.
An artificial crown can be fitted to the top of the implant to replicate, look and function like a natural tooth.
Alternatively a group of implants can be linked together to support a bridge or denture.
The dental implants are normally placed under local anaesthetic in the dental practice.
Generally, there is little or no post-operative discomfort or pain.
WHO IS A CANDIDATE FOR IMPLANT THERAPY?
The ideal candidate for a dental implant is in good general and oral health. Adequate bone in your jaw is required to support the the implant and the best candidates have healthy gum tissue and are free from periodontal disease.
Your dental specialist will evaluate various factors to determine if you are a candidate for dental implants. Those factors may include certain health conditions (e.g. uncontrolled diabetes) or risk factors (e.g. smoking). These tyrpes of conditions may not preclude dental implant therapy but they must be taken into consideration to be sure that they will not compromise the prognosis for treatment.
An important factor affecting the prognosis for implant dentistry is the density of the bone which can vary from very dense to porous or spongy. Less than ideal bone does not necessarily rule out dental implants but it will likely affect your treatment plan.
What if I have lost bone following an extraction? In all but the most extreme situations our surgeons are able to replace this bone with natural and synthetic grafting tissue. This may be performed simultaneously with the implant placement or require a separate surgical procedure.
How soon after extraction should I get an implant?
Ideally you should consult a dentist prior to having the tooth extracted. In many situations, we can place a implant directly into the socket. Alternatively we may choose to place a bone grafting material into the socket to reduce bone loss and to preserve the site. Loss of the alveolar bone accompanies loss of a tooth. 80-90% of that bone is lost within six months of extraction in untreated sockets. If your dentist does not provide dental implants, ask for a referral or simply arrange a consultation with a specialist yourself.
How long will my dental implants last?
Twenty years ago we anticipated that in a well selected and executed case a dental implant would last ten years. Today we are predicting twenty years and possibly beyond.
Placement of a dental implant arrests alveolar bone loss and preserves your jaws and appearance.
COMPUTER SIMULATED & GUIDED SURGERY
With a CT scan of a patient's jaws we can simulate the surgical procedure on the computer using Simplant software. We can even fabricate exact replicas of the jaws in plastic and surgical guides to assist us in placing the implants.
The most critical stage to the long term success for the dental implants lies in the diagnosis and treatment planning of the cases. Screw-retained implant crowns are for the convenience, ease of use and benefit of the dentist rather than the patient. We only use cement retained implant crown and bridgework for superior aesthetics.