Dental Implant Basics | Resources and links to information on dental implants

- Consult with another specialist and discuss the treatment plan given by the previous specialist.

- Research for the specialist’s previous patients and the other specialists he works with. Call them and ask about how the specialist does his work.

- Determine whether this specialist is considered an “expert” in his field, and whether he is into a continuing education program to improve his practice.

- Look for a specialist who is confident, cautious and thorough in his work.

- Research the specialist’s background – whether he has a pending case regarding his dental practice.

- Ask straight away how many of these procedures this specialist has successfully done.

- Ask about the possibility of dental implant failure and what your alternatives are.

(source)

To avoid problems with dental implants, a problem report prepared by Dr. Davidoff can be filled out by patients to assess whether they are in good hands. Here are things you should consider:

- Look for other people who have dental implants, ask them who did the operation and who made the implant, and how their implants are now.

- Look for qualified dentists/ADA specialist, and discuss your options. Make sure you are dealing only with certified specialists.

- Before going ahead with the treatment, ask for a written treatment plan, with all the important details, including all the fees, making sure there are no hidden charges.

By: ReginPaul

What is Osseointegration? Does this treatment really work? What is the difference between the more common dental implant and this kind of therapy? Is it safe for the patients who wish to undergo this dental procedure? Let’s find out what Osseointegration is all about.

Osseointegration implant is another kind of dental implant that involves the placement of titanium screws in the gums for the crown to be coiled onto. Titanium is said to fuse with the bone when the osteoblasts develop (responsible for bone development). This kind of implant was discovered by Swedish Professor Per-Ingvar Brånemark and has been the most used method for dental implants.

The percentage of successful implants is more than 90%. However, it is possible for an implant to fail to bond with the surrounding bone, even after bone grafting. For such cases, implants are removed and another implant may be placed. Some of the reasons for non-integration of implants to the bone are: surgical trauma, infection around the implant, smoking (which reduces the blood flow and slows down healing), unhealthy bone, and allergy to titanium which is a rare occurrence.

Usually, infection of the gums around the implant causes bone loss if not treated properly. Proper oral hygiene should be a priority to ensure a successful implant.

(source)

The standard diameters of dental implants range from 4 mm to 6 mm. The diameter ensures the implant’s strength. Recent developments have changed these standards. Mini-implants or small-diameter implants (SDIs) have diameters up to 1.8 mm. Mini-implants were originally meant for temporary support while the larger diameter implants are integrating into the bone, after which the mini-implants will be removed. However, dental practitioners found that the mini-implants could no longer be removed as they have already integrated into the bone during the interim service period.

Some of the advantages of SDIs are: fewer complications, no cutting or sutures, minimal swelling and postoperative pain, and in most cases, the entire procedure is completed in just one visit.

For more information on mini-implants / SDIs, check out the dental practitioners and specialists’ discussion on OsseoNews.com

Also visit the Academy of Mini Dental Implants

Other links:
dentaleconomics.com

Journal of the American Dental Association

British Dental Journal

(Image source)

Dental implant technology is now widely accepted and practiced, and more patients are accommodated. Before, patients who have poor bone quality are eliminated from the implant candidate list, and are not able to avail of the procedure. Recently, because of new bone grafting procedures, the candidate list has expanded to include such patients.

Bone grafting is done to ensure that the implant can be accommodated and bone growth is ensured. Bone is usually taken from the patient’s tooth that is being drilled through a suction device. Bone may also come from the patient’s hip, which is done by an orthopedic surgeon. Bone from cadavers may also be used, where bone is harvested under strict supervision. Synthetic bone may also be used, but natural bone is preferred.

(sources: reportbuyer, dental implants)

Once you have decided to undergo a dental implant treatment and your dentist has determined that you are a good candidate for the procedure, you will discuss the details with a team of specialists. Your dental history will be taken into account, an X-ray and complete oral examination will be done.

The surgical placement of implant into the bone is done with a local anesthetic. The gum and bones are allowed to heal for around four months for the implants to fuse into the bone, known as “osseointegration”. The next surgical procedure is the exposure of the top of the implant where a post or abutment is attached. The last procedure is the attachment of the artificial crown to the post. This may require several visits before it is completed.

(image source: www.dentalimplant.com )

Traditional dental implant procedures take two operations with a healing period of around four months in between. A recent development now allows specialists to perform a single surgery and complete the entire procedure in one day. It is a releif for patients who fear surgery, since it is a one-time operation.

A three-dimensional (3-D) CT scan of the mouth is done, and this scan is used by periodontists in making a 3-D model, and this model is used as a guide to locate the exact spot where the implant will be placed. Patients are given local anesthesia for this procedure.

“You can visualize the bone. You can visualize how the teeth will be and how they can come together in one area,” says Deborah Armellini, D.D.S., prosthodontist from the University of Maryland Dental School in Baltimore, M.D.

With this technology, implants are accurately placed in the mouth, and are more natural-looking. Specialists are more confident, and patients are more satisfied with the results.

This service is available in the state of Maryland. To find a specialist for this procedure, visit the University of Maryland Dental School.

Read the entire article at Science Daily.com

(Image source: ablesw.com)

Teeth whitening being one of the most desired procedure in the practice of dentistry is also one of the most available and easiest to achieve. Some dental clinics offer up to nine shades lighter in color. However, this in itself is not necessary as two shades lighter than the original one would usually do.Fortunately, there is no singular standard when it comes to teeth whitening. The most common however is the Vita shade guide. This is subdivided into for shade varieties: We have the brown, the reddish brown, the grey and the reddish grey. The level of darkness also ranges into four categories which is referred to as A, B, C and D.

Statistics show that 69% of adults between 35 to 44 years have lost at least one permanent tooth to an accident, gum disease, tooth decay or a failed root canal. By age 74, 26% of adults have lost all their permanent teeth.

(from www.aaoms.org )

Decades ago, patients who suffered from tooth loss only have dentures or fixed bridges as their alternative to restore their smile. However, removable dentures become uncomfortable when it produces clicking sounds while eating or speaking. It may also cause bone loss in the area where the tooth is missing. On the other hand, fixed bridges may damage adjacent teeth to which the bridge is attached, and gum disease may cause bridges to fail. Removable dentures and fixed bridges usually need occasional replacement to avoid gum diseases and other oral problems.

Now, a more permanent and healthy solution is placing dental implants in areas where permanent teeth used to reside. A titanium metal is implanted into the jaw bone where gums and bone grow into it, making it an integral part of the jaw, a process called “osseointegration”. It works like a real permanent tooth, avoiding the problems stated earlier. Patients that take good care of their implants and overall oral health can expect their new permanent teeth to last them a lifetime.