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What is a Dental Implant?

An implant is a safe titanium material designed to resemble a dental root, used for replacing missing teeth by being implanted into the jaw. The dentist then attaches a crown to the implant, completing the restoration.

Problems arising from tooth extraction:

1. Adjacent teeth may shift into the gap, causing misalignment and abnormal positioning.

2. Increased food debris accumulation between teeth. When a tooth gap forms, neighboring teeth may shift, creating larger spaces that allow more food particles to get trapped.

3. Reduced efficiency in digestion due to fewer teeth available for chewing.

4. If the extracted tooth had upper companions, they may grow further downwards. Conversely, if it had lower companions, they may gradually move upwards. The extracted tooth used to provide support and meet them, but without it, the adjacent teeth may drift, potentially leading to exposure of the tooth root and eventual extraction.

5. The area where the tooth was extracted experiences bone resorption. When teeth are absent, the surrounding bones become less active and start to dissolve, resulting in narrower and shorter bones.

6. Long-term loss of many front upper and lower teeth can lead to jaw bone loss and collapse, causing changes in facial appearance, such as a shorter face and sunken chin, making the person look older.

7. Increased risk of periodontal disease or gingivitis due to the difficulty in cleaning the extraction site, which can lead to inflamed gums and tooth decay.

8. Loss of confidence, reluctance to smile, and fear of others noticing the gaps left by the missing teeth.

Advantages of dental implants:

1. Dental implants provide a permanent solution for replacing missing teeth.

2. They restore the ability to chew food, improving digestion.

3. Dental implants offer comfort as they are permanently fixed and eliminate the annoyance and discomfort associated with removable dentures.

4. They enhance personal appearance and boost confidence in smiling, as implants closely resemble natural teeth.

5. Dental implants eliminate the need for a dental bridge. Unlike bridges that require adjacent teeth to be prepared and used as support, implants do not disturb the neighboring teeth. This avoids unnecessary grinding down of natural teeth.

The process of dental implantation consists of three main steps:

1. Oral assessment and treatment planning:

Patients undergo a thorough examination of the oral cavity to determine if the extraction site is suitable for implantation. This assessment includes normal and 3D radiography (3D Cone Beam CT) to evaluate the dimensions of the bone at the implant site. Based on this analysis, the dentist develops a customized treatment plan.

2. Implantation surgery:

Following the completion of the treatment plan, the dentist performs a surgical procedure to implant the dental implant into the jawbone. Before the surgery, local anesthesia is administered to ensure patient comfort. The patient will then return for suture removal and wound assessment 7-14 days after the surgery. A healing period of approximately 3-6 months is required for the implant to fuse with the jawbone.

3. Attachment of the abutment and crown:

Once the implant has successfully integrated with the jawbone, the dentist takes a mouth impression to create a customized abutment and crown. The abutment serves as a connector between the implant and the final crown. A follow-up appointment is scheduled approximately 1-2 weeks after taking the mouth impression to try and place the crown.

Guidelines for caring for dental implants:

• Dental implant care is similar to caring for natural teeth, even though implants cannot develop decay due to being made of metal. However, implants can still be susceptible to periodontal disease or gingivitis, just like natural teeth. Gingivitis can lead to bone loss around the implant, eventually compromising its stability. Therefore, maintaining good oral hygiene is crucial for both implants and natural teeth. Follow these care practices:
• Brush your teeth at least twice a day, preferably after meals and before bedtime.
• Use dental floss at least once or twice a day to clean between the teeth. Alternatively, you can use interdental brushes for cleaning in those areas.
• Regularly visit your dentist for dental check-ups and follow the recommended schedule for implant maintenance, as advised by your dentist. Generally, it is recommended to have dental check-ups at least every 6 months.

Best wishes

Dr. Kanthanat Chatwaratthana, MD.

Dental Center, Vibhavadi Hospital