Dental implants are artificial tooth replacements that are used to replace missing teeth. The procedure falls into the category of cosmetic dentistry as well as prosthodontics.

Implants have proven to be functionally effective and durable. In many cases, dental implants may be the only logical choice for the replacement of missing teeth which may have been lost as a result of trauma or periodontal disease.

• Tooth decay

• Root canal failure

• Periodontal disease(gum disease)

• Trauma to the teeth and supporting structures

• Excessive wear and tear

Dental Implants are an excellent solution to replace missing teeth. Placement of these implants can do wonders for an individual’s confidence by providing a functional and aesthetic solution. Implants may be used in conjunction with other restorative procedures-a single implant can serve to support a crown replacing a single missing tooth or in the case of multiple missing teeth, implants can be used to support a dental bridge. They can also be used with dentures to increase stability.

Dental implants offer an excellent aesthetic and permanent solution for missing teeth and are virtually indistinguishable from the natural teeth. This appearance is aided in part by the structural and functional connection between the dental implant and the living bone. Implants are typically placed in a single sitting but they require a period of Osseo- integration.

Osseo- integration is a process in which there is direct anchorage of the dental implant root and the bone of the jaw. Osseo integrated implants are the most commonly used implant systems and have a very high success rate. An Osseo- integrated implant takes anywhere from three to six months to anchor and heal. Your dentist can complete the implant procedure with the placement of a crown. In case the implant is being used to support an artifical prosthesis (e.g. a denture) this can also be placed when the implant has
anchored with the jawbone.

Preparing the Jaw for Implantation:

A dental implant is commonly composed of a titanium material screw and a crown. A small-diameter hole (pilot hole) is drilled at edentulous (where there is no tooth) jaw sites in order to guide the titanium screw that holds a dental implant in place. To avoid damaging vital jaw and face structures like the inferior alveolar nerve in the mandible (lower jaw), a dentist must use great skill and expertise when boring the pilot hole and sizing the jaw bone.

After the initial pilot hole has been drilled into the appropriate jaw site, it is slowly widened to allow for placement of the implant screw. Following this placement, a protective cover screw is placed on top to allow the implant site to heal and the dental implant to anchor (the process of osseo-integration). After several months, the protective cover is removed and a temporary crown is placed on top of the dental implant. The temporary crown serves as a template around which the gum grows and shapes itself in a natural way. The process is completed when the temporary crown is replaced with a permanent crown.

Dental implants are among the most successful procedures in dentistry. Studies have shown a five-year success rate of 95% for lower jaw implants and 90% for upper jaw implants. The success rate for upper jaw implants is slightly lower because the upper jaw (especially the posterior section) is less dense than the lower jaw, making successful implantation and Osseo-integration potentially more difficult to achieve. Lower posterior implantation has the highest success rate for all dental implants.

Dental implants may fail for a number of reasons. The cause is often related to a failure in the Osseo-integration process. For example, if the implant is placed in a poor position, Osseo-integration may not take place. Dental implants may break or become infected (like natural teeth) and crowns may become loose.