Dental

There is a certain feeling each of us has when we look into the mirror and feel really confident about our appearance. It “sets the mood” for our day or social function. Simply stated, our personal confidence can dramatically affect our lives.

Unfortunately, missing teeth, medically known as edentulism, keeps many people from “feeling their best”. Edentulism not only effects your self confidence, but also has a dramatic impact on the quality of your life.

• Edentulism may limit your choice of foods and therefore your nutrition and general health.
• Edentulism can make you feel isolated either socially or on the job.
• Edentulism can effect relationships with loved ones.
• If not treated, partial edentulism, that is missing some of your teeth, can place stress on the remaining teeth requiring them to “do more work”. This can lead to further tooth loss.
• Edentulism also leads to bone loss making the “fitting’ of traditional dentures difficult or impossible.

For years the best solutions for missing teeth were bridges, removable partial or full dentures.

Partial Dentures: When several teeth are missing, a removable partial denture may provide the support needed to fill in the spaces. Partial dentures usually attach to natural teeth with unsightly clasps and hooks. These very obvious attachments can cause undue stress on the existing natural teeth and promote tooth decay.

Full Dentures: Some people can wear full dentures without fit problems, but it is not uncommon for a denture wearer to live with pain and irritation of the gums or have difficulty eating or speaking. Many denture wearers are anxious about whether or not their denture is going to slip and cause embarrassment.

Fixed Bridges: : Removable teeth, no matter how well made, do not feel or function like natural teeth. Historically fixed bridges came as close as possible to the feel of natural teeth. However, this necessitates “cutting down” and crowning natural healthy teeth to support the bridge.

There’s another price to pay for edentulism. When teeth are removed, Mother Nature assumes there is no need for the bone that supported the teeth. After all, that is the primary job of your jawbone. Over time the bone slowly, yet progressively diminishes. In fact the upper and lower jaw bone gets smaller or shrinks. This process, called resorption, occurs at a more rapid rate if all teeth in the jaw are missing. But, it also occurs when just some of the teeth are missing. If left untreated, the loss of jaw bone can progress so far that a denture will no longer stay in place no matter how much sticky adhesive is used.

Natural Solution by Dental Implants Centre in Guwahati

For centuries man has endeavoured to find a more natural replacement for missing teeth. Modern, space age materials have allowed that quest to become a reality. Todays dental implant is possible because of these materials combined with years of research and clinical trials. The dental implant is truly the most natural solution for missing teeth.

But what exactly is a dental implant? There are basically two types of implants. Those that sit on top of the jaw bone, but under the gums and those that fit into the jawbone similar to the root of a natural tooth. Each type offers solid, non-mobile support for replacement teeth which act and feel like natural teeth. Since both types are attached to your jawbone they can provide distinct advantages over traditional methods of replacing missing teeth.

• Implants restore proper chewing function and so you can enjoy foods previously too “difficult” to eat.
• You feel confident that your replacement teeth won’t move or loosen.
• You regain the closest thing to the look, feel and function of your natural teeth.
• Throw away those gooey adhesives.
• Forget about unsightly partial denture clasps which place damaging pressure on remaining natural teeth.
• Eliminate irritated and painful gums.
• Improve your speech by eliminating or reducing the “fullness” of full or partial dentures.
• Replace missing teeth with the look and feel of natural teeth without having to “cut down” healthy teeth.
• Dental implants help stop the progressive bone loss and shrinkage of your jawbone by “mimicking” the roots of natural teeth.
• Dental implants are clinically proven with a success rate in excess of 90%.

Clearly dental implants are one of the finest treatment options dentistry has to offer. With their ability to improve the quality of your life and health it’s easy to understand why they have become the accepted alternative to traditional methods of replacing missing teeth.

Benefits of Implants

In almost every instance dental implants are a high quality solution for the missing teeth. In favor of implants, there are many advantages to consider, including:

Cosmetic : Dental implants are ideal replacements for missing teeth in your smile. They feel, look and function just like your own teeth. They help preserve bone and facial support and maintain the natural brilliance of a wonderful smile.

Confidence : Dental implants help restore your confidence to eat and speak again with comfort and without embarrassment. If you have a loose ill-fitting denture, implants provide much needed security from the annoying slippage, and freedom from the ever worrisome sore spots. You’ll enjoy not having to worry about lost or broken dentures, or the never-ending hassle of smelly denture adhesives.

Tooth Saving : Dental implants don’t require neighboring teeth for their support and function. The benefit her is that you don’t have to depend on or use adjacent teeth, a noteworthy benefit to your long-term oral health!

Function : Whether you are missing one, many or all of your teeth, imagine being able to chew just about anything – just like having your own natural teeth! Implants also help support and maintain normal jaw and jaw joint functions.

Reliable : Modern implant solutions not only make for some great smiles and provide for superb function, they are quite comfortable and are very durable. Imagine not having to worry any more about broken teeth or root canals on teeth that are questionable. Because implants are so predictable and durable they are an all around great choice for tooth replacement.

What Are The Types of Dental Implants?

There are many implants available, each designed for a specific function. Most are made of titanium, an inert metal which has been proven to be effective at fusing with living bone, a process known as “Osseo integration”. The cylindrical or screw type implant, called “root form“, is similar in shape to the root of a tooth with a surface area designed to promote good attachment to the bone. It is the most widely used design and generally placed where there is plentiful width and depth of jawbone. Where the jawbone is too narrow or short for immediate placement of root form implants the area may be enhanced with bone grafting to allow for their placement.

When the jawbone is too narrow and not a good candidate for bone grafting, a special narrow implant, called ” plate form “, can be placed into the bone. In cases of advanced bone loss, the “subperiosteal” implant, may be prescribed. It rests on top of the bone but under the gums.

Root Form Implants

The root form implant is the most commonly used implant. It is a screw-type implant shaped like the root of a tooth. This type of implant is used when there is ample width and depth to your jawbone. If your jawbone is too narrow or short for placement of a root form implant, then bone grafting may be needed to allow for placement. After you have received anesthesia, your dentist will expose an area of your jawbone and prepare the bone for the implant. The number of incisions and bone preparations depends on how many implants you need. The implant will be set into place, and then your gums are closed with stitches. It takes three to six months to heal. After you’ve fully healed, your implant is uncovered and an abutment is attached.

Plate Form and Blade Implants

Blade implant specifically designed for the back-most portion of the lower jaw.

A plate form implant is used when a patient’s jawbone is too narrow for bone grafting. This type of dental implant can be placed directly into the jawbone. The plate form implant has a flat, long shape that makes it unique and allows it to fit better into a narrow jawbone.

After you’ve received anesthesia, your cosmetic dentist will expose an area of your jawbone and prepare the bone for the implant. The number of incisions and bone preparations depends on how many implants you need. The implant will be set into place and your gums are closed with stitches. Generally, it takes three to six months to heal, but some plate form implants are immediately ready for restoration without the long healing process.

Subperiosteal Implants

Subperiosteal implant for the lower jaw. This particular implant has a whitish-gray hydroxyapatite coating on its bone-contacting portion.

The subperiosteal implant is a custom-made implant that rests on the top of a patient’s jawbone and under the gums. This type of implant is recommended when there is not enough bone width or height for the root form or plate form implants. The subperiosteal implant is placed through one of two special methods.

The first method of placement involves your dentist making an impression of your jawbone. After you’ve received anesthesia, the dentist exposes your jawbone and takes an impression of it. A dental lab then uses the impression to make a custom-fit implant for your jaw. After your custom-fit implant is created, your dentist exposes the jawbone again to set the implant in place. Your gums are then closed with stitches and replacement teeth are installed.

The second method of placement requires a CAT (computerized axial tomography) scan of your jawbone. Through computer modeling techniques, a model of your jawbone is made from the CAT scan information. After a dental lab creates your custom-fit subperiosteal implant, your dentist exposes your jawbone and places the implant. The gums are then closed with stitches and replacement teeth are installed.

Bone Grafting

Sometimes, when resorption has excessively reduced the jawbone, it can be rebuilt through modern bone grafting techniques. Bone grafts can build up or fill in jawbone defects allowing the placement of dental implants. These techniques represent one of the greatest advances in modern dentistry.

There are generally four types of bone grafts used:

• Autografts are those where the bone to be grafted to the jaw is taken, or harvested, from your own body. The area where the bone is harvested from, known as the donor site, is usually the mouth or the hip. This is your own bone and is very compatible with your body. Autografts are generally the best graft technique and usually result in the greatest regeneration of missing jawbone.
• Allografts are taken from human donors. Many countries have donor programs where you can specify that in the event of your death, parts may be harvested from your body to save or improve the life of others. Heart transplants are one type of allograft. This can represent one of the greatest “gifts” you can ever give. Bone obtained in this mannor undergoes rigorous tests and sterilization. Your body “converts” the donor bone into your natural bone, thereby rebuilding your resorbed jawbone.f
• Xenograftsare harvested from animals. The animal bone, most commonly bovine (cow), is specially processed to make it biocompatible and sterile. It acts like a “filler” which in time your body will replace with natural bone. After this replacement process is complete dental implants may be placed to support teeth.
• Alloplasticgrafts are inert, man made synthetic materials. The modern artificial joint replacement procedure uses metal alloplastic grafts. For bone replacement a man made material that mimics natural bone is used. Most often this a form of calcium phosphate. Depending on how it is made, it may be “resorbable” or “non-resorbable”. That is, your body may or may not replace the alloplastic graft with your natural bone. In those cases where it is not replaced it acts as a lattice or scaffold upon which natural bone is built. In either case, the end result is to create enough bone for the placement of dental implants.

Modern bone grafting techniques can be nothing short of a miracle for those needing bone replacements. Once your doctor recommend this treatment, you will be given further information on implant centre in Guwahati and amount of graft needed.

The Implant Placement Procedure

The Two-Stage Procedure

• First Stage :Surgical placement (can be done with a local anaesthetic)
• Second Stage :Uncovering of the implant

	Step 1 The implant is screwed or tapped into a surgically prepared site. The gum tissue is closed over the implant.
	Step 2 The implant remains under the gum for 3 to 6 months. The patient continues to wear their denture during this period.
	Step 3 (3 to 6 months later) The implant is exposed by removing a small amount of gum tissue. An insert can be screwed down into the implant.
	Step 4 The secured insert can accommodate various attachments upon which overdentures, bars, crowns, or bridges may attach.

The One – Stage Procedure

In step 2, the implant, which is placed, has an additional component which protrudes through the gum tissue. This extension of the implant then does not become covered over during the healing phase. Step 3 (above) is therefore not needed. Step 4 is readily achieved (3-6 months later) by unscrewing the additional component which was placed at the surgery and replacing it with the type of insert that is needed for your case