Dental Implants Procedure Summary

They are created from unalloyed titanium which is accepted by the human body and forms a close bond with living bone. Modern dental implants are often called root-form endosseous implants.

Bridges and dentures can be replaced or supported by dental implants to provide a permanent and more natural looking set of teeth. Each implant must be accessible for daily cleaning to maintain a healthy surrounding bone and gum. The exact number of implants will depend on the quality and volume of bone at each potential implant site.

The dentist will determine what type of dental implants is suitable for their patient. The assessment includes a dental examination to identify which teeth must be substituted, whether the jaw is suitable for receiving implants (dental implants require strong foundations), X-ray's, and a general medical examination which involves laboratory tests. Following this, the prosthesis is prepared in the dental laboratory.

The insertion of implants is carried out under local anaesthesia, heavy drinking and smoking can complicate the healing process and affect the long-term health of the gum and bone surrounding each implant. As a result some dentists may decline to place implants in their patient.

The healing period can last between 2 and 6 months, allowing bone cells to grow into the micro-pores created on the surface of the implant. This process is called osseointegration and fixes the implants into place to support a normal biting load without causing long term damage.

The tooth replacement is then fixed onto the implant once it has osseointegrated with living bone. Abutment pieces are fitted into the implant to help support the tooth replacement (if the implant is in one piece the structure contains both the implant and tooth replacement, abutment is not required).

The dentist will install the implant in close contact with the surrounding bone. This helps to create an initial stability, which over time is steadily enhanced by osseointegration.

Good mouth hygiene, regular medical check-ups and a skilled dentist are essential to a successful outcome of implants. Patients wearing implant-based tooth replacement should regularly attend dental examinations once a year.