Implant supported dentistry has changed the face of how we deal with tooth loss and continues to revolutionize the role that dental prosthetics play in supporting tooth replacement. Given that tooth loss is as old as man, and quite common due to age, diseases, or accidents, this meant that a large segment of the population was using wires, dental cement, and adhesives to help hold their new false teeth in place.
With the help of implant supported dentistry, this is slowly changing. Today we can replace not only the upper, visible tooth, which is more commonly known as the crown but also the lost root, through dental implants.
Dental implants, being a new technology, raises a lot of questions among patients that are considering implant supported dentistry to replace their lost teeth. Some patients have questions about the longevity of the implants while others just want to know if they are eligible to get implant supported dentistry. This second question is more complex than a simple yes or no answer because from a technical perspective virtually anyone can have the benefit of implant supported dentistry.
However, it is important to remember that with everything there are usually caveats. In the case of implants, the caveat is that this kind of dentistry requires oral surgery to place the implants. As such, patients need to be healthy enough to receive an oral surgery. In addition to this, there are a few conditions that may prevent patients from getting dental implants or may delay the process. These include diseases like uncontrolled diabetes, periodontal diseases, and treatment for cancer that includes radiation.
Implant supported dentistry is one of the most successful forms of replacing lost teeth, partly due to the fact that we are able to replace the root with an implant that holds the crown of the tooth in place securely. This kind of success does not happen by accident. We will take X-rays to determine if the patient's jawbone has sufficient density to support and sustain a dental implant. Since implant supported dentistry depends most heavily on the quality of the implant, the first step is to secure the implant itself.
In many patients, we will find that the loss of teeth has led to a deterioration of the jawbone itself. In situations like this, we will need to perform an alveolar bone graft to make sure that there is a sufficiently dense block of bone into which we can place the implant. This kind of an onlay bone graft typically requires that the patient recovers for around three to six months before we can proceed to the next steps of the implant supported dentistry.
Implant supported dentures provide more stability than their traditional counterparts. They are virtually as stable as real teeth because they are attached to implants that have fused with the patient's jawbone. The result is a more comfortable denture set and preserved jawbone tissue.Traditional dentures are the most economical restoration when it comes to replacing missing…
Implant supported dentures are a great replacement option for those needing a solution for missing teeth. Dentists often recommend them for patients who are replacing an entire arch of teeth, whether that be the top or bottom half. Aside from tooth replacement, there are a few reasons that implant supported dentures are recommended, and improved…
A denture reline is a normal part of wearing dentures. Relines are needed to fix ill-fitting dentures. You experience bone loss when you wear dentures, and eventually, that will cause the dentures to fit poorly. The reline adjusts the shape of the dentures, so they fit once again. Most people need a reline every two…
If you are missing either one or multiple teeth, you may want to ask your dentist if a partial denture is suitable for you. A beautiful smile can say a lot about you. When you meet someone for the first time, the first feature they may notice is your smile. There are several reasons a…