Dental Implants
Single tooth implant
For this procedure to work there must be enough bone in the jaw. The bone has to be strong enough to hold and support the implant. If there is not enough bone, it might need to be added with a procedure called the bone grafting or bone augmentation. In addition, the natural teeth and the supporting tissues near where the implant is placed must be in good health.
A missing tooth in the anterior region is not only a physical loss, but also may be an emotional experience for the patient as well. Molars and pre-molars are usually the first teeth to be lost due to decay and gum disease. Designs of implant restorations have evolved to accommodate the width of the different teeth they can replace, not only wider anterior teeth but also posterior teeth.
As with all aspects of implant dentistry, the time and efficiency of replacing teeth makes it one of the most predictable dental procedures performed.
Multiple teeth implant
Just as with one missing tooth, several missing teeth can be easily treated with dental implants. Implant supported teeth are permanently fixed in the mouth, unlike removable appliances like dentures. They don’t slip or click, and there is no worry about them moving or falling out when speaking, eating, or participating in activities. And because dental implants are placed directly into the bone, they help preserve the jawbone and prevent bone deterioration.
This procedure normally includes four visits to the dentist. You should expect to be able to work the day after having the implant installed.
1: Before the procedure
The dentist makes a first examination and takes one or more x-rays of the area to prepare for the procedure.
2: Installing the implant
Titanium implants are placed into the jawbone to replace the job of the roots. We allow a period of time for the jawbone to heal and fuse with the implant.
3: Attaching the new crown
after healing, the abutments are attached to the dental implants. These components are used to hold custom-made ceramic crowns that the dental laboratory will mold and match to your existing teeth.
4: End result
Finally, the crowns are placed over the tooth implant abutments and will function like a real teeth.
Hybrid Dentures:
Hybrid Denture also called fixed-detachable denture, are a way to replace missing teeth and gum tissue with a prosthetics attached to dental implants. Hybrid dentures are recommended when you have a lot of bone loss in your jaw. This type of denture is more natural looking and stable. To make it, you will need to have four to six dental implants to create a solid base for the denture. The denture is then permanently attached to the implants.
Sinus lift
Patients who have the following may be good candidates for sinus augmentation.
• Lost more than one tooth in the posterior maxilla.
• Lost a significant amount of bone in the posterior maxilla.
• Missing teeth due to genetics or birth defect
There are different ways to perform sinus augmentation I .e lateral window technique and osteotome technique. The lateral window technique is performed from inside the patient’s mouth where the surgeon makes an incision into the gum, or gingiva. Once the incision is made, the surgeon then pulls back the gum tissue, exposing the lateral boney wall of the sinus. The surgeon then cuts a “window” to the sinus, which is exposing the Schneiderian membrane. The membrane is separated from the bone, and bone graft material is placed into the newly created space. The gums are then sutured close and the graft is left to heal for 4–12 months. The graft material used can be either an autograft, an allograft, a xenograft, an alloplast (a growth-factor infused collagen matrix) or synthetic variants.
As an alternative, sinus augmentation can be performed by a less invasive osteotome technique which is normally performed when the sinus floor that needs to be lifted is less than 4 mm. This technique is performed by flapping back gum tissue and making a socket in the bone within 1–2 mm short of the sinus membrane. The floor of the sinus is then lifted by tapping the sinus floor with the use of osteotomes. The amount of augmentation achieved with the osteotome technique is usually less than what can be achieved with the lateral window technique. A dental implant is normally placed in the socket formed at the time of the sinus lift procedure and left to integrate with bone. Bone integration normally lasts 4 to 8 months. The goal of this procedure is to stimulate bone growth and form a thicker sinus floor, in order to support dental implants for teeth replacement.
DENTURE STABILIZATION
Implant-supported dentures can either be bar-retained or ball-retained. Either way, the denture will be made out of an acrylic base and porcelain or acrylic teeth. Also, both types of dentures will need a minimum of two implants for support. The main difference between the two is the type of attachment used to clip the denture securely in its place.
In the case of bar-retained dentures, clips are fitted either in the bar, denture or both where the dentures are clipped. Meanwhile, ball-retained dentures utilize ball-shaped “male” attachments that fit into the sockets or the “female” attachments found on the denture.
Stabilizing dentures provide many benefits like:
• Restoring the patient’s ability to chew foods, leading to better digestion and overall health.
• Easier to talk with.
• More comfortable than traditional dentures.
• Easier to clean and maintain since it requires the same thing real teeth need like brushing twice a day and flossing daily.
• Patients no longer have to deal with gum irritation and mouth sores.