Tooth Loss and Dental Implant Therapy: Eating and Smiling with confidence again
Tooth loss is an extremely common problem for adults in our society. The average mouth of a person above the age of 40 is missing at least 3 teeth. This average increases of course with age. There are many reasons for tooth loss; among those reasons are diet, parodontal disease, effects of pregnancy as well as tobacco use. Tooth loss can lead to the following problems in our lives: Movement of teeth into the gap where the loss has occurred. Change of diet: depending on the extent of our tooth loss we tend to avoid certain foods that have become difficult or even embarrassing to eat. This change of diet can mean the loss of foods that we enjoy or are important to the balance of our digestive system. Hesitancy at smiling or laughing in social situations Bone loss: the presence of natural teeth and their use in mastication stimulates the bone around the tooth s root and this stimulation helps maintain bone volume. Almost immediately upon losing teeth, there occurs bone loss. Indeed, in many cases up to 25% of the surrounding bone can be lost within the first 5 months after losing a tooth. This bone loss can have a considerable effect on our outward appearance since it is this bone and the overlying teeth that help support the skin around our mouths.
TRADITIONAL SOLUTIONS FOR MISSING TEETH Previously the most common solution to missing dentition has been the creation of a bridge that is supported by the teeth adjacent to the gap left by the missing tooth. In many cases the creation of this bridge means that the adjacent teeth need to be filed down and shaped so that the support structure can fit over them. Traditional bridge solution in which two neighboring teeth are compromised in order to support a bridge prosthesis. Modern implant solution in which the prosthetic tooth is supported by an implant. DENTAL IMPLANTOLOGY: THE PRESENT STANDARD OF CARE At present, the standard of care in dentistry for addressing tooth loss is dental implants. A dental implant is a screw made of medical grade titanium which is placed usually in the gap of the lost tooth. Medical grade titanium has 2 very convenient characteristics: it is a very strong and a biofriendly material, which means it is able integrate itself into human bone, whereas almost all other known materials are rejected by the body. The screw will need about 4 months to integrate into the jawbone. After the screw is integrated it will act in the same supporting manner as the root of a tooth. To the implant will be attached a post on which a reconstruction of the original tooth or a prosthesis can be constructed. If the resulting integrated implant is cared for through maintenance of oral hygiene as well as regular visits to the dentist, the implant can survive for a lifetime. Dental implants have been in use in modern dentistry for over 30 years. There are approximately 6 million of these implants set per year. The long term survival rates for dental implants are above 95%, depending on the maintenance of oral hygiene, the rates can be higher. The main dental implant material, medical grade titanium, has been is use in modern medicine for over 60 years, primarily in the field of orthopedic surgery for hip replacement. The material has been thoroughly tested for its use in medicine and dentistry. The proper evaluation as to the potential for success of implant therapy should be done by ones dentist.
A successful implantation can resolve almost all problems associated with tooth loss: Once the implant and prosthesis is in place it hinders the movement of the adjacent teeth into the gap One can eat in the same manner as one does with a healthy natural dentition. The teeth feel and function in the same way as natural teeth The outward appearance will be the same a healthy and natural dentition Once the implants are set and are supporting normal mastication, there will be again the stimulation of the bone surrounding the implant, this stimulation will slow down or halt the process of bone loss
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS HOW IS THE IMPLANT PLACED? Depending on the number of implants that have to be placed, the procedure is usually quite minimally invasive. In the case of a single tooth, first the implantologist will anesthetize the jaw, then a small incision will be made on the gum. The clinician will then drill a small hole into the bone. Into this hole will be placed the implant which is basically a small screw. The screw will be placed and set until it is completely in the bone, after which the Dr will cover the implant and sow the gum back together. This whole procedure can take less than 30 minutes. IS THIS PROCEDURE PAINFUL? Modern local anesthetics have rendered this type of procedure almost completely painless. In the worst case one can feel some pressure in the jaw but no real pain. HOW ABOUT AFTER THE PROCEDURE WILL I FEEL ANY PAIN OR DISCOMFORT? Immediately after the procedure one will need to apply a cool pack to the outside of the jaw and the area where the implantation has taken place. For the first few days thereafter one may feel small discomfort that can be eased with over the counter pain relievers. In the week following the implantation one should also avoid strenuous exercise. Depending on the location and quantity of implants one may have to eat soft or liquid foods for the first weeks. One may also need to avoid direct chewing on the concerned part of the mouth as well as eating very hot foods.
WHAT ARE THE SUCCESS RATES OF IMPLANTS? For non-smokers, the success rates are around 98%, these rates can be influenced by certain factors, like oral hygiene, diabetes, osteoporosis and especially smoking have a negative effect on the survival of implants. HOW LONG WILL MY IMPLANTS SURVIVE? Provided you do not smoke and you take good care of your oral hygiene, the implants should survive your whole life. HOW CAN I FIND OUT IF IMPLANT THERAPY IS SUITED FOR ME? Your dentist can evaluate your medical and dental history and will be able to make a recommendation as to the feasibility of implant therapy in your case as well as the prognosis for implant success. DO I HAVE TO STOP SMOKING IN ORDER TO HAVE IMPLANTS PLACED? Ideally one should abstain from smoking for several weeks prior to implantation and for several months thereafter. This period of abstention will ensure that the implant can heal properly. WHAT KIND OF SPECIAL CARE WILL MY IMPLANTS REQUIRE? In order to ensure the long term survival of your implants you should schedule regular visits to the dentist or dental hygienist. As with natural teeth, it is important to brush and floss after every meal and especially before going to bed. Depending on the type of prosthesis that you have, there are special toothbrushes that you can use to allow access and cleaning of the areas of your mouth that have implant supported crowns and bridge. WHY IS SMOKING BAD FOR IMPLANTS: Smoking reduces blood supply to the bone and blood supply is important for healing, consequently smoking can slow down and be detrimental to the proper healing as well as the integration of the implant into the bone.
WHY C-TECH IMPLANTS C-TECH has over 20 years experience in the production, treatment, and certification of dental implants. C-TECH implants are produced to the highest standards governing the production of dental implants in the European Union. Provided that the one maintains proper oral care as well as regular visits to the dentist or oral hygienist, C-TECH is one of very few companies to provide a life time warranty on it s implants. C-TECH is able to to offer such a high level of protection on its implants due to its high standards of production as well as its innovative design characteristics: Platform Switching Concave Esthetic Concept Morse Locking Tapered Connection Micro-Threaded Collar Bevelled Shoulder Please discuss with your clinician as to how these aspects contribute to C-TECH implant s high level of success or visit our website for more information.
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