Full or partial dental Implants FAQs

Q: What can cause them to fail?

A. The procedure is successful 95% of the time; however, the procedure involves surgery and like any surgical procedures, it does have its risks. The reason the procedures fail are:

• Osseo-integration failure. The artificial root is expected to merge in the jawbone via the natural process called osseointegration. The bone cells grow onto the surface of the artificial root, making a strong and natural bond. The reasons osseointegration fail are the following:
  • Not enough bone density or mass.
  • Positioning is not exact.
  • There is a sudden impact or overloading.
  • Damage apparent to the surrounding tissues.
  • Adverse reaction to anesthesia.
  • Fractured fixture
• Peri-implantitis is an infection of the region that surrounds the new oral restoration. When bacteria are present during the surgery or hygiene after the surgery is not performed. This results in peri-implantitis. The cement used in the gums to put the crowns in can cause abutment leaks into it.
• Tissue and nerve damage – this is a rare occurrence but could happen during the surgery.
• Rejection of the foreign material – This does not happen with the materials that we currently use, but it could occur in very rare cases.
• Allergic Reaction – Titanium is biocompatible which means it could work on patients without causing allergic reactions. But, allergic reactions can happen in rare cases.
• Type II Diabetes – if the patient has one, the procedure may fail.
• Other factors – the use of bisphosphonates, smoking, bruxism and many other factors.

Q: What Is A Dental Implant?

A: Dental Implants are made of titanium; but, the metal is not strong enough, alloys are made with minor amounts of other metals.  An example is nickel as it help improve its strength and its properties. Many people have allergies to alloys. There are other concerns about these alloys in the mouth like piezoelectricity, oxidation, thermal conductivity, and showing the metal color above the gum. Zirconium is brittle and could crack and no repair can be done except remove it. This leaves a large fault in the bone. Zirconium also demands an error-free placement. Titanium alloys are the most preferred material for dental implants.

Q: Prosthetic for the upper front tooth?

A: This is an excellent solution for this kind of problem. The front teeth are important for its aesthetic value apart from its strength. There is no other method of restoration that will be able to compete with the new and fixed tooth. The replacement of the front and fixed tooth requires expert and precision to do. The first broken tooth has to be gotten rid of completely without damaging the bones around the nearby flesh. If there is damage to the new root, the procedure needs to be aborted. The reason is that the empty socket has to receive the root and to hold it in place. The strength of the procedure is obtained when the bones around the artificial tooth grow into it. This process is called osseointegration (bone-jointing). If the gap exists between the bone, the process of osseointegration will not complete and the procedure could fail.

The special tissue in the front teeth in the sockets are conical. The new root of the same size has to be screwed in deep so that no gap exists around it. This procedure requires precision and expertise. This should be performed by an expert in fixed restorations particularly on the front tooth. Done right, it will give the patient a trouble-free restoration with a pleasing look. The only thing you need is a good osseointegration procedure and proper oral hygiene.

Q: Will Insurance Cover them?

Yes. But it depends on your insurance carrier. Some insurance will provide coverage while other companies may need a qualifying period. The coverage can be full, but at times the coverage can be partial. To find out if your insurance covers it, contact your insurance provider. We’ll also help you with the coverage details help identify what procedures are covered and to what extent.

Q: Do They Cause Pain?

A: When you have an expert oral surgeon doing the procedure, it will hurt as much as an extraction. This means that it doesn’t hurt at all. But, do note that the installation of a new permanent tooth will need surgery and could take many times. The extractions will take place whenever possible. The gums will be allowed to heal for sometime before moving to the next procedure.

The tendency is that modern titanium posts are selected immediately right after the extraction. The placement needs drilling into the jawbone, then screwing the artificial root. When the new root has been placed, the gums are stitched to cover to leave the open abutment for the placement of the restoration. During the surgery, you feel no pain because the dentist will give you anesthesia. But, just like any other extraction or surgery feeling slight pain and discomfort near the wounds for a few days until it is healed. The pain can be managed through the use of a suitable painkiller that will be given by your dentist.

Q: What Is The Average Healing Time?

A: The process will take a few steps. Healing time is needed and would need more than one stage. Thus, the recovery time will vary and it depends on the number of teeth involved with the health of the patient and other factors. Below are the list of steps between the process and the healing process that has been completed which will give you a perfect smile.

If the grafting of the bone is required, there will be a waiting period from four up to six months that may be needed before the next procedure is done. Grafting is needed when the patient has deficient in the bone at the sight of the new tooth.

When bone grafting is not needed, the extractions need to be done. There is no healing time needed for gum injuries. The practice is to install artificial roots and at the same time the extractions so that the healing period is not needed. Before stitching it over the gum tissue, the healing cap is then screwed to the artificial root. The healing can take about a week, but that depends on the patient.

The surgery is completed after four to six months until the bone has integrated with the metal. The gums will heal around the cap and conform to the shape of the cap.

When the gum has been healed, and the dentist confirms the osseointegration is complete, he can then remove the healing cap and place an abutment. This is where the artificial tooth or denture be placed.

Q: Proper Care:

A: A major advantage is that it has over other types of restorations because once it is installed, the permanent tooth requires no special care. All you need is your regular oral hygiene habits. Moreover, the following needs to be done:

Brush your teeth at least twice a day using low-abrasive dentifrice. A low abrasive is needed because it can wear out the teeth and the artificial tooth below it. The brushing should take no more than two minutes. In order for not to miss out a part, a definite order must be in place.

• Start from the outside of the upper jaw and move to the left end.
• Brush the insides of it moving from left to right. Ensure to clean the chewing surfaces of the molars.
• Start from the right of the lower jaw then clean the outside of the lower teeth to reach the left end.
• Clean the insides starting at the left end.
• Floss every day to ensure intra-dental cleaning. Use tap-floss or water flosser to get rid of the dirt. The choice of floss will depend on what you prefer and what your dentist recommends.
• Visit your dentist at least every six months. If there is anything unusual talk to your dentist immediately.
• Do not smoke to prevent the teeth from getting stained.

Q: Who invented them?

A: The implants work because of osseointegration, which some have called the most successful discovery in modern dentistry. Osseo-integration is first observed in 1940 by Bothe, Beaton and Davenport. It is described by the tendency of the titanium to fuse with the animal tissue, then discussed in the potential use of it in the prosthesis for humans. Then in 1951, Gottlieb Leventhal described his experiments with results similar to Bothe, Beaton and Davenport. He comments about the use of it. Then in 1952, while describing his experiments, Prof Branemark was the first person to place it on the patient named Gosta Larsson in 1965.

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