Dental Implant Basics | This site provides you with resources and links to basic information on dental implants.

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

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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.

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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.

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Only a small percentage of dental implant patients experience complications, and such are easily fixed. It is the responsibility of the patient to closely stick to his dental check-ups and follow-ups, and maintain his dental hygiene as prescribed by the dentist to avoid complications. If anything goes wrong, the patient should immediately inform his dentist to avoid further problems.

Some of the possible complications are: dental implant infection, rejection, overload, failure, bone loss, inflammation and incision line opening. To avoid these, biting pressure should be reduced during the healing period. Regular X-rays should also be done to monitor the development of bone around the implant.

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A dental implant is composed of three parts: the titanium implant, the abutment or post, and the crown. The titanium implant is twisted into the jaw bone like a screw. A natural process called “osseointegration” takes place in a few months, where the jaw bone grows into the implant. The abutment is attached to the implant as a base for the crown. A prosthodontist makes and fits these materials for the patient. An oral and maxillofacial surgeon places the implant into the patient’s jaw. Implants may replace one or more teeth (image a), or the entire set, instead of using removable dentures. Several implants will be placed to firmly fix the artificial set of teeth (image b).

Image source: www.aaoms.org

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Research showed that titanium dental implants coated with proteins induced bone formation, which resulted in a nearly complete regeneration of lost tissue. This was studied by Dr. Ulf Wikesjo, professor of periodontics in MCG School of Dentistry.

According to Dr. Wikesjo and his colleagues, regeneration of tissue occurs when there is a stable wound and a space for the regenerated tissue to grow during the healing process.

The proteins used are called bone morpheonetic proteins. It is being studied to be used as a regeneration therapy for craniofacial reconstruction – a procedure to repair or reshape the face and skull. Its use in dental implants will benefit more people in the long run, as it will provide a more stable and permanent implant, as shown by the results in animal experiments, where damage caused by implanting the replacement root were “repaired” when tissue regenerated around the root some time after the protein were applied.

Read the full article at Science Daily.com

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After going through the long process of having a dental implant, the “life” of your implant will last if you take good care of it. The Mayo Clinic clearly provides what you need to do:

Practice exceptional oral hygiene. Keep your new teeth clean. There are special brushes that slides between teeth to help clean the teeth, gums and metal abutments.
See your dentist regularly. Dental checkups should be scheduled every sis months for the dentist to properly monitor the condition of your overall oral health, and the proper functioning of the implant.

Avoid damaging habits. Chewing of hard food items such as candies must be avoided as it can break the crown – whether your teeth is natural or an implant. Also avoid tobacco, caffeine and other tooth-staining products. Those who grind their teeth should seek treatment.

To find more details, visit www.mayoclinic.com

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