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Many options are available to replace one or more missing teeth. The choice of replacement may involve either one or more non-removable dental prostheses or one or more removable teeth. Dental implants are essentially "artificial tooth roots" which, depending on the prosthetic treatment plan, can serve as anchors for either non-removable or removable replacement dental crowns. Non-removable prosthetic restorations secured to implants closely resemble natural teeth. Your dentist will explain the various replacement options that are available for your particular condition.
Dental implants are small cylinders or small screws that are
inserted into the bone of the jaw to replace the missing roots.
There are many types of implants, which differ in form and structure, however they are all made of titanium. Titanium is a metal that is "biocompatible", in other words, well-accepted by human bone. When implanted into a bone, the surface of the implant has the distinctive feature of fusing with the bone. This biological phenomenon is called "osseointegration" (which corresponds to the healing of the bone to the implant) and it allows an immovable and solid base to be established to hold a restoration. Implants can be used in both the upper and lower jaws.
The concept of implant-based dental reconstruction was developed over 35 years ago. Patients of all ages have chosen dental implants as a means of replacing one, several or even all of their teeth.
Depending on the complexity of the condition, restoration on implants may require up to several months of treatment and involves three phases.
The first phase involves the preparatory diagnosis, which consists of a complete examination of the mouth in order to detect and correct alt of the problems in the oral cavity. It is very important that the remaining teeth and the gums are healthy and infection-free before proceeding with the installation of the implants. This examination also involves taking radiographs and impressions of your mouth. These will allow your dentist to analyze the shape and the density of the bone surrounding the area of the missing teeth in order to plan the form and the structure of the future restoration. At the end of this phase, a treatment plan is finalized and the appropriate implants are chosen.
The second step is the surgical phase, which consists of the insertion of the implants into the bone of the jaw. This phase can be completed in one or two procedures, depending on the type of implant to be placed in the jaw. Two surgical procedures may be needed when the implants remain buried in the gums during the process of osseointegration, requiring a healing period of 3 to 6 months. In this case, a second surgical procedure allows the implants to be exposed and the installation of posts to hold the restorations.
In other situations, only one surgery may be required if the implants and posts can be placed in the same procedure. In this case, the gums will heal around the implants simultaneously with the osseointegration. Many factors are considered prior to the selection of the approach which is the most appropriate for your dental condition.
The third or prosthetic phase is rehabilitation and consists of designing the restorations which were planned in the first step of treatment. After the complete healing of the implants, they are ready to accept the restorations. In this final step, the restorations (depending on your situation, these may be crowns, bridges or prostheses) are attached to the implants.
Several teeth are missing from the lower jaw, and there is a residual root that requires removal.
Surgical phase: the residual root has been removed and three implants have been screwed into the bone of the jaw.
After the complete healing of the implants: the healing posts allow the gums to heal around the implants. They are ready to receive the restorations. The restorations have been attached to the implants and the treatment is now completed.
The use of implants to replace missing teeth is a treatment method with a high rate of success. Nonetheless, this treatment carries certain risks and, on occasion, complications may arise during or after completion of the treatment. You and your dentist will discuss the particular risks that may be associated with your condition.
Inherent risks and possible complications:
Swelling is a normal reaction after a surgical procedure and the degree of swelling depends on the extent of the surgery. Swelling increases in the first 48 hours after surgery and then decreases.
Bruising (yellow and blue discoloration) may occur on the skin adjacent to the surgical site. This discoloration is temporary and will disappear in 7 to 10 days.
Mild to moderate pain is common after implantation surgery and may persist for several days. Taking analgesics is normal after this procedure. They will be prescribed by your dentist.
Minor bleeding for the first 24 to 48 hours after oral surgery is normal.
While relatively rare, infection of the surgical site after implant placement may occur. Swelling that increases beyond the first 48 hours, fever or an intensification of pain may be symptoms of infection.
Integration failure (an implant that does not fuse with the bone) is a complication that may occur in approximately 5% of cases. This is not a "rejection" phenomenon, but rather a failure of the implant to adhere to the bone. In such situations, the non-integrated implant should be removed. In most cases, it is possible to replace it with a new implant. However, this complication can cause additional delays in the completion of the treatment plan.
Depending on the location of the implants and, more specifically, the anatomy of the jaws and the position of the remaining teeth, certain other complications may occur:
A risk of damaging the roots of teeth adjacent to the implantation site.
A loss or alteration of feeling in the chin or the tongue may occur if the implant is inserted near a nerve. This is manifested by numbness or a tingling feeling in the lower lip. While this complication is usually temporary it may be permanent in some cases.
Implants placed in the posterior area of the upper jaw may cause certain complications such as sinusitis.
In the case of significant bone atrophy (bone thinning), a fracture of the jaw bone may occur during preparation of the implantation sites. This complication will require the use of a splint to consolidate the fracture.
Dental implants replace missing teeth and, just like teeth, they need to be well cared for. This means that patients should have very good dental hygiene and visit their dentist regularly. Your dentist will check the condition of the implants and remove any tartar from them. As is the case of natural teeth, implants can be affected by periodontal disease, even after they have fused with the jaw bone. This disease, which is manifested as a loss of supporting bone, may cause the toss of teeth and implants, so it is very important to take good care of them.
Informed consent is the result of a discussion between the patient and the dentist. This document is provided as information only and will be completed or further explained by your dentist. Some dentists may give satisfactory explanations without providing this document to the patient.
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