About Dental Implants
Loss of teeth leads to hampering the quality of life of an individual. It not only results in the loss of chewing ability, but speech and appearance are also greatly marred. The recently developed technique of dental implants has fascinated both the dentists and patients. This is because the replaced teeth look, feel and function like the natural teeth.
What is a Dental implant?
Dental implant is a screw-like device which is inserted into bone of the jaw in place of the missing natural tooth. This acts as the root of the tooth, on top of which an artificial tooth(crown) is then attached. This simulates the natural tooth which consists of a root embedded in the bone, and a crown i.e. the visible portion in the mouth.
Thus, like natural teeth, Dental implants also get anchored in the bone of the jaw. This gives the patient an artificial tooth which resembles the natural tooth.
What is the Procedure?
A thorough planning is the key to success. Only a qualified Prosthodontist with special training in implant dentistry should carry out the procedure. The replacement of teeth using implants is usually a two-stage procedure. The first is the surgical phase where the implant is inserted into the bone. This is the followed by a prosthetic phase where the new tooth is attached to the implant.
Surgical Phase
The position, angulations and size of the implant is first identified. The actual procedure involves a minor surgery. This involves the use of specialized equipment with which a hole is painlessly drilled into the bone and an implant is placed into it. The procedure itself lasts only for about half an hour and the patient is fit to go home to lead a normal life thereafter.
Prosthetic Phase
This is by far the most important and technique sensitive phase of the treatment. The implant gets integrated (Osseo integration) to the bone in about 6 to 8 weeks. Thereafter, a Prosthodontist can fix an abutment and fabricate a suitable crown to be attached to the implant. The execution of this phase is the all- important step in the entire treatment. If the replacement given does not fulfil the requirements, the implant may become loose and may be lost. It must be born in mind that an implant is only useful if it functions like a natural tooth.
Who can get Implants?
Any person with missing teeth is suitable for getting implants. Although, being a minor surgical procedure, certain basic body parameters have to be kept in mind. People with a single or multiple missing teeth can greatly benefit by getting individual artificial teeth using these implants. People who have lost all their natural teeth and wear complete dentures, can be given over dentures which are secured to the jaw bones with the help of just two implants. This enables them to get rid of loose and ill-fitting conventional dentures.
What is the life of these Implants?
Ideally, dental implants last a life time. If a good quality implant is used and fitted properly, there is no reason to think that it will ever be lost. The quality and durability of the implant system used is important. There are a lot of manufacturers world over, but only a few of them produce standard good quality and durable implants. Also to be kept in mind is the fact the system to be used should be universally accepted and used, in case it needs to be serviced sometime in life. The replacement on top of the implant may wear out due to use over a span of 10-15 years, but this can be easily replaced.
Dental Implants are becoming a very popular method of tooth replacement and I have no doubt that in the foreseeable future, it will be the only way of replacing natural lost teeth.
