Dental Implants

Understanding Dental Implants

According to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS), “dental implants are frequently the best treatment option for replacing missing teeth. Rather than resting on the gum line, like removable dentures, or using adjacent teeth as anchors like fixed bridges, dental implants are long-term replacements that your oral and maxillofacial surgeon surgically places in the jawbone”.

A dental implant is a “root” device, usually made of titanium, used in dentistry to support restorations that resemble a tooth (crown) or group of teeth to replace missing teeth (fix bridges).

Virtually all implants placed today are root-form endosseous implants and are placed within the bone.

The bone of the jaw accepts and osseointegrates with the titanium post. Osseointegration refers to the fusion of the implant surface with the surrounding bone. Dental implants will fuse with bone however they lack the periodontal ligament so they will feel slightly different than natural teeth during the chewing process especially during the first weeks after the restoration.

Same Day dental implants

The terminology Same Day Dental Implants or “Immediate Load Dental Implants”, refers to the process of the implant and crown completed in just one stage and requires only a few days; however, it is commonly misunderstood. Some patients expect to have their teeth removed and replaced with a number of dental implants all at the same time.

The dental implant device and the abutment are integrated in just one piece, so the patient starts using the implant as a natural tooth immediately after its placement.

This type of dental implants are placed under special conditions; however, there are limitations due to the risk of failure presented by the fact that the masticatory forces will be putting too much stress over the device once it has been placed.

Twostage dental implants

The Two Stage Dental Implants or Traditional Dental Implants are used in cases when more of a margin of safety is required. Since it is generally safer and wiser not to subject an implant to biting forces until it is fully healed and integrated with the supporting bone.

These implants are “submerged” under the gums for 4 to 6 months and then, the implant will be exposed to insert the abutment in order to allow the crown and/or bridge to be attached.

Typically, the “Two Stage Dental Implants” can be used in any case (individual or multiple missing teeth as well as full mouth restoration); however, it is always necessary to evaluate each individual patient's bone level and general dental condition.