Dental Implants – Everything You Should Know

Dental implants are devices surgically implanted into the jaw that restore a person’s ability to chew or their appearance after losing a tooth or teeth. They support artificial teeth such as crowns, bridges, dentures, or individual teeth. When you lose a tooth, you can have complications such as bone loss, defective speech, changes to chewing patterns that cause discomfort, and movement of other teeth. Cosmetic dental implants can eliminate these issues.

When implants work as they should and are intended to, they are better than dentures or bridgework. They are stronger than removable teeth and usually are more comfortable; however, getting dental implants can take multiple procedures and carries some risk of complications.

Our dental team at Sninski and Schmitt Family Dental Center is experienced in treating patients who need a permanent solution for missing or damaged teeth using dental implants. This article provides all the information you need to know about implants.

The Purpose of Dental Implants

A missing tooth can jeopardize the health of your mouth by disrupting its balance and function. By filling in the space left by a missing tooth, dental implants can ultimately improve your quality of life and health.

Dental implants are a popular choice for tooth replacement. Tooth loss can happen due to a variety of reasons:

Structure of a Dental Implant

A dental implant consists of a dental implant body and dental implant abutment, as well as possibly an abutment fixation screw. The dental implant body is surgically inserted into the jawbone in place of the tooth’s root. The dental implant abutment is usually attached to the implant body by the abutment fixation screw and extends through the gum into the mouth to support the attached artificial tooth.

Steps in Dental Implant Surgery

There are several steps involved in dental implant surgery. Your dentist will give you anesthesia, or sedation, for the process.

1. Tooth Removal – If you have a damaged tooth, your dentist will need to extract it and you will need time to heal before the next procedure.
2. Jaw Preparation – After you heal from the extraction, your dentist will make sure the bone in your jaw is strong enough to hold an implant. You may need a bone graft to increase bone density and stimulate more bone growth. If so, you will then have to wait a while before the next procedure.
3. Implant Placement – Having a dental implant is an oral surgical procedure. Your dentist will cut open your gums to reveal the jawbone. Then, he/she drills into the bone and inserts the metal base of the implant. Afterward, you will need to wait as long as several months for the bone to grow around the implant so it is held firmly in place.
4. Abutment Placement – When the implant integrates with your jawbone, your dentist will attach an abutment that sits above your gum line. He/she will open the skin of your gums to reveal the impact base and attach a short metal rod. In some cases, the abutment is placed at the same time as the implant. The rod holds your artificial tooth.
5. Artificial Tooth Placement – Your dentist will take impressions to make a crown that looks just like your existing teeth and fits snugly against them. When the crown is ready, the dentist attaches it to the abutment.

Dental Implant Options

There are several options for dental implants.

Endosteal

The most common and safest type of implant is endosteal, where a screw, cylinder, or blade is surgically placed into the jawbone. This type of implant is typically used as an alternative to dentures or bridges.

Subperiosteal

This implant is placed on top of the jawbone, beneath the gums, and is used when there isn’t enough bone in the jaw to support an endosteal implant.

Zygomatic

This implant is used when there is severe bone loss in the upper jaw and is anchored into the cheekbone instead of the jawbone. Zygomatic implants are the most complex type of implant and are rarely used.

Benefits, Complications, and Risks of Dental Implants

Dental implants can significantly improve the quality of life and the health of a person who needs them

Benefits of Dental Implant Systems

Dental implants can:

• Help prevent bone loss and gum disease as well as keep teeth from shifting.
• Restore your ability to chew and eat a variety of foods.
• Help you speak more clearly and naturally.
• Restore the appearance of your smile.
• Last a lifetime with proper care.
• Provide stability for unstable dentures.

Other beneficial qualities include:

• Dental implants don’t require removing enamel from neighboring teeth like bridges do.
• Dental implants are firmly anchored in place and won’t shift or slip.
• Dental implants are cared for like natural teeth with brushing, flossing, and regular dental visits.
• Dental implants replace infected or damaged teeth, reducing the risk of bacterial infections.

Complications of Dental Implants

Though dental implants significantly improve the quality of life and the health of a person who needs them, complications sometimes occur after the implant is placed. Some complications result in implant failure when it becomes loose or falls out. Implant failure can result in the need for another surgical procedure to fix or replace the implant system.

There are two main complications of dental implants: 1) failure of osseointegration and 2) improper implant placement.

Failure of Osseointegration

Osseointegration is when the bone grows around your implant. If this doesn’t occur, the implant won’t be secure enough to hold the crown in place and you experience implant failure. When a dental implant fails, it may fall out on its own or you may have to have it removed. In this case, you and your dentist will need to decide if you should replace the implant or try another option.

Improper Implant Placement

Improper implant placement occurs when the dentist makes an error in placing your implant. If there is a problem with the location or the angle of the implant, it can lead to complications. The implant won’t fuse with the bone properly, it may be too close to adjacent teeth and cause discomfort, or may become loose or painful. If this happens, you may need to have the implant removed or replaced.

Risks of Dental Implants

There are risks with dental implant surgery, as with any surgery. It’s important to ask your dentist about the risks before the procedure. Here are the four most common risks.

Sinus Damage

Sinus damage can be a risk with a dental implant. Your upper jaw is directly under your nasal sinuses. Implants to replace your top teeth can potentially penetrate the sinus, leading to discomfort or infection. If this happens, your dentist will let you know what you can do to manage the situation.

Infection

Just as with any oral surgery procedure, dental implant surgery has a risk of infection. You will receive instructions from your dentist on how to keep the incisions clean as they heal. If you begin to notice pain, swelling, or fluid draining from the incision site, you should contact your dentist. You may need additional procedures to treat an infection of the gum or bone.

Nerve Damage

The possibility exists that implant surgery can lead to nerve damage. Your dentist will take X-rays before the procedure to locate the nerves in your mouth. Nerve damage can have lasting effects.

Problems with Surrounding Teeth

In some cases, implant placement affects the teeth around the implant. For instance, if the adjacent teeth have minor problems such as decay or root damage, the trauma from oral surgery can make them worse. Your dentist will examine your other teeth and address any problems before performing the procedure.

Contact Sninski and Schmitt Family Dentistry to Schedule an Appointment

The professional dental team at Sninski and Schmitt Family Dentistry is knowledgeable and experienced in performing dental implant procedures. During a regular dental check-up, we can determine if there is a problem with a tooth that may require extraction, the extent of the damage, and the possibility of a dental implant solution.  Sninski and Schmitt Family Dentistry is currently accepting new patients. Reach us at our Holly Springs dentist office at 919-600-6262 and our Cary dentist office at 919-467-2203. Or, you can also fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment.