Dental implant
A dental implant replicates the aesthetic and functional aspects of a natural tooth, comprising a root and a crown. The crown, visible and utilized for chewing, is particularly susceptible to cavities. Attached to the jawbone via the root, the entire tooth, including the root, is removed in cases of deep decay or advanced periodontal disease, and a titanium root implant is inserted into a socket in the jaw. After healing, an artificial crown, customized to match bite and tooth color, is placed atop the root. Should you seek dental implant restoration in Kanata, we're here to assist you.
The success or failure of implants is influenced by the recipient's health, medications impacting bone integration, and oral tissue health. Evaluation of stress on the implant during function is crucial, considering biomechanical forces generated during chewing. Implant position and number are planned meticulously, considering adjacent teeth, lab simulations, or CT scans with surgical guides called stents. Healthy bone and gum are prerequisites for long-term implant success.
The final prosthetic may be fixed, permanently attached to the implant, or removable. In both cases, an abutment is affixed to the implant fixture. For fixed prosthetics, the crown, bridge, or denture is secured to the abutment with screws or cement. In removable prosthetics, a corresponding adapter is placed in the prosthetic for attachment to the abutment.
Well-integrated implants, subjected to appropriate biomechanical loads, exhibit 5-year plus survival rates of 93 to 98 percent and prosthetic lifespans of 10 to 15 years. Long-term studies report a 16- to 20-year success rate (implants surviving without complications or revisions) ranging from 52% to 76%, with complications occurring up to 48% of the time.
Common uses of dental implants
Individual teeth can be replaced with implants, seamlessly blending with natural teeth.
Implants with ball and socket retention can reduce movement in lower dentures.
A bridge of teeth can be supported by two or more implants.
The primary purpose of dental implants is to support dental prostheses. They utilize osseointegration, a biological process where bone fuses tightly to materials like titanium and ceramics, enabling long-term support for physical loads without failure.
An implant-supported bridge, or fixed denture, is a group of teeth secured to implants, preventing user removal. Bridges typically connect to multiple implants and may also anchor to natural teeth. Teeth directly over implants are called abutments, while those between abutments are pontics. Implant-supported bridges attach to implant abutments similarly to single tooth replacements. They can replace as few as two teeth (a fixed partial denture) or an entire arch of teeth (a fixed full denture), remaining fixed and non-removable by the wearer.
A removable implant-supported denture, or implant-supported overdenture, is not permanently fixed and can be disconnected from implant abutments by the wearer. Abutments are shaped as small connectors (buttons, balls, bars, or magnets) that connect to adapters in the underside of the denture. Facial prosthetics used for correcting deformities can utilize connections to implants in facial bones, supporting either fixed or removable prosthetics depending on the situation.
Techniques used to plan implants
To assist the surgeon in positioning the implants, a guide is typically created, often made of acrylic, to indicate the desired position and angulation of the implants.
In some cases, the final position and restoration of the teeth are simulated on plaster models to determine the required number and position of implants.
CT scans can be uploaded to CAD/CAM software to create a simulation of the desired treatment. Virtual implants are then placed, and a stent is created on a 3D printer from the data.
Dental implant planning considers the patient's general health condition, local health of the mucous membranes and jaws, and the shape, size, and position of the jaw bones, adjacent and opposing teeth. While there are few health conditions that absolutely preclude implant placement, certain factors can increase the risk of failure. Individuals with poor oral hygiene, heavy smokers, and diabetics are at greater risk for a variant of gum disease affecting implants called peri-implantitis, which increases the chance of long-term failures. Long-term steroid use, osteoporosis, and other bone-affecting diseases can also heighten the risk of early implant failure.
It has been suggested that therapy can negatively impact implant survival. However, a systemic study published in 2016 concluded that dental implants installed in irradiated areas of the oral cavity may have a high survival rate, provided that the patient maintains oral hygiene measures and undergoes regular follow-ups to prevent complications.
Overdentures
A cast metal bar is affixed to the implants, and the complete denture is then attached to the bar using semi-precision attachments, which prevent any movement of the denture.
Ball and socket type attachments can also be placed on implants and dentures to minimize movement.
For removable dentures, retainers to secure the denture in place can be custom made or "off-the-shelf" (stock) abutments. With custom retainers, four or more implant fixtures are placed, and an impression of the implants is taken. A dental lab then creates a custom metal bar with attachments to secure the denture in place. Multiple attachments and semi-precision attachments, such as a small diameter pin that pushes through the denture and into the bar, can provide significant retention with minimal movement in the denture while still allowing for its removal. However, the same four implants, angled to distribute occlusal forces, may be able to securely hold a fixed denture in place with comparable costs and procedures, offering the denture wearer a fixed solution.
What are the benefits of getting teeth implants?
They look and act like natural teeth
They can last a lifetime with the right care
You don’t need any adhesives
They improve appearance, comfort, and speech
It’s easier to eat
We would be honored to be your dentist in Kanata. Call us today at 613-672-3333 to schedule your personalized consultation. We look forward to hearing from you.