A Dental implant is an artificial tooth root that is implanted into the jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge. Implants are usually made from a metal called titanium, which is readily accepted by the body. Implants have the look and feel of natural teeth.

The Problem

What Happens When You Lose Teeth

The Solution

The Procedure

Advantages

Disadvantages

Alternatives

The Problem:

Missing one tooth
Missing several teeth
Missing ALL teeth
Difficulty in chewing due to missing teeth or dentures
The need to improve speech and appearance
The need for a more permanent solution than dentures
Difficulty or no possibility of wearing a removable partial or complete denture
Loose teeth because of advanced gum disease

What Happens When You Lose Teeth:

Your Smile:
Missing one or more teeth will result in an unnatural and aesthetically unpleasing smile. When you lose teeth you lose bone which compromises facial esthetics.

The Bone:
When the tooth is in the mouth it stimulates the surrounding bone with each bite. This preserves the bone integrity by “exercising” the bone. When one or more teeth are lost, the bone is not stimulated any longer and it begins to weaken. Shrinkage of the bone continues with time and can result in serious complications.
When missing all of the teeth the jawbone will continue to resorb and get smaller. With severe bone loss the patient may not be able to wear dentures because there is not enough bone to hold the dentures.

The Opposing Teeth:
When there are no opposing teeth, the tooth can over erupt due to lack of resistance from opposing teeth and this may lead to occlusion problems (teeth do not come together properly). Also, the gums can also be affected due to the malposition of the tooth.

The Adjacent Teeth:
When one or more teeth are lost, the teeth start to shift, drift and over erupt into the open spaces or the path of least resistance. This may result in occlusion or periodontal problems, which can lead to further tooth loss. These occlusion problems if left untreated can lead to interference in the bite, which can to muscle and joint problems (TMD).

The Solution:

Missing teeth can often be replaced by implants that act like roots of teeth. After implants are fitted and healed in place, crowns or dentures are attached to them.

Implants survive best in a healthy environment. Any tooth decay or gum problems need to be corrected before implants are placed to give them the best chance of success. Sometimes treatment is needed before you are ready for implants.

There are different treatment options depending on the individual case:

1) Replacing a single tooth: If you are missing a single tooth, one implant and a crown can replace it.

2) Replacing several teeth: If you are missing several teeth, implant-supported bridges can replace them.

3) Replacing all of your teeth: If you are missing all of your teeth, an implant-supported full bridge or full denture can replace them.

A key factor to implant success is the quantity and quality of the bone where the implant is to be placed. When there’s not enough bone present, it may be necessary to create new bone to fill the missing areas allowing implants to be fitted. A variety of techniques are available to do this.

The Procedure:

There are three steps to placing implants:

Step 1:
Using very accurate surgical techniques, the implant, which looks like a screw or cylinder, is placed into your jaw. Over the next two to six months, the implant and the bone are allowed to bond together to form an anchor. During this time, a temporary tooth replacement option can be worn over the implant site.

Step 2:
This step of the procedure is necessary to uncover the implant and attach an extension referred to as the post, which will later be attached to the crown, bridge or whatever type of replacement indicated by your dentist. Your gums will be allowed to heal for a couple of weeks following this procedure.

There are some implant systems that do not require this second step. These systems use an implant which already has the extension piece attached. Your dentist will advise you on which system is best for you.

Step 3:
Finally, replacement teeth, bridges or dentures will be created and attached to the implants.

Advantages:

However you look at it, dental implants are the best solution to the problem of missing teeth since they can replace the entire tooth including both crown and root.

Esthetically, they support teeth that look like real teeth. Functionally, dental implants feel and act like real teeth.
With implants, you can eat and chew again without pain or irritation. Foods that were forbidden are now back in the diet.
Implants eliminate the need for distasteful adhesives. There is no longer a need to use "glue" when your prosthesis is anchored to implants.
Implants can actually improve the taste of food. With less plastic covering the roof of your mouth, you can enjoy natural flavors and sensations again.
Lastly, implants can help maintain your bone structure and support your facial tissues. They can reduce or eliminate bone atrophy, which causes "shrinkage" or facial cosmetic changes.

Disadvantages:

If you are in a rush, implants probably aren’t for you.
Time has to be allowed for healing before the implant can be restored (usually around 6 months).
Bone grafts are occasionally needed.
Implant therapy is usually more expensive than other treatment alternatives.

Alternatives:

There are several alternatives to implants but they are considered a poor solution compared to implants. These alternatives can be crowns, bridges and dentures. However, in some cases where finances are a primary concern, these alternatives should be considered.