Titanium Implants

The science and technology behind the dental implants has been growing steadily over the last twenty years. The implants are now predictable and reliable as crowns and bridges more traditional.

The implants are made in two separate steps. At the root of titanium artificial tooth is implanted within the jawbone by a dental surgeon, periodontist and general dentist with specialized training. The top of the implant is just below the level of the gum and exposed the inside of the mouth, leaving a small hole in the gum. A cap of "healing" is screwed into the threading of the implant to prevent gum tissue to grow over or in the implant.

A period of 6 weeks to several months is required for the titanium implant to "integrate" the bones of the jaw. This means that the bone actually attaches to the implant to provide stability. Note that this attachment is not the same as for a natural tooth. There is no periodontal ligament involved, which is characteristic of the bone at the attachment of teeth which allows the movement of teeth in the bone. The implants can not be moved orthodontically nor be exposed to forces that cause natural teeth to move in response. For this reason, if implants are being considered with several missing teeth, your dentist must plan the number of implants and the type of restoration placed on implants with care.

The type of restoration placed on the implant are varied. In the case of a single tooth, a piece called pillar is screwed into the implant to replace the cap when healing osseointegration of the implant was performed. A crown (or cap) is then cemented onto the abutment as if it were a natural tooth that had been prepared for a crown.

There can be several single tooth implants placed either side of another or in different places around the mouth where teeth are missing. However, when the duration of missing teeth is too large, it becomes more profitable as well as biologically supportable to place two or three implants and connect them by a fixed bridge. There will be more teeth showing on the upper deck of the implants, such as traditional bridges on natural teeth. They are also supported abutments be screwed into the implants such as single tooth implants.

When there are many missing teeth (or all) of the implants are generally used to support a removable prosthesis. In these cases, several implants are linked together by a cast metal bar screwed into the implants on short posts. On the underside of the denture clips are inserted which clip onto the bar between the implants. A prosthesis made in this way is much more comfortable than the traditional prosthesis, because it relies heavily on the bar instead of tissues, thus eliminating many of the sore spots caused by dentures. In addition, the prosthesis is locked in place by clips and is extremely stable, unlike dentures which tend to drag and drop or completely out much more easily.

Although implants can be very expensive in comparison with other more traditional dental prosthetics, the potential benefits make them equally valuable. Most patients who have had traditional dental prosthetics replaced by implant supported prostheses are so happy that they would never return.