Important Information Regarding Dental Implants

Dental implants are designed to simulate the root of a tooth at Toronto dentist. Generally they are made from titanium. Most implants are used as a platform for dental restorations. In dentistry, restorations are used to replace teeth. Crowns, dentures and bridges are examples of restorations that are used with implants.

Blade endosseous and subperiosteal implants used to be the two options. Blade endosseous implants were metal pieces that looked like flat blades. These structures were placed in the bone. Subperiosteal implants attached to the jawbone with screws. Root-form endosseous implants are commonly used today. In regards to appearance, they resemble a natural tooth root. These structures are placed inside the bone, lending to a natural feel as well.

These structures are primarily composed of pure titanium. The screws used for the implant are made to copy the natural root with a smooth or rough surface. The surface can be manipulated through anodizing, sandblasting, plasma spraying or etching.

A dentist may recommend that a patient have other procedures done before the surgery. For example: radiographs, CT scans and stent implantation. Two-dimensional radiographs give the surgeon a better view of the particular mouth structures of a patient. Stents can serve as a guide for a surgeon. They ensure proper placement.

Surgeons will use hand osteotomes or precision drills to work on the area. After the screw is implanted, the bone is given time to grow. This is a process called osseointegration. After it has grown to the surface of the implant, restorations are usually added. The surgeon, procedure and bone all factor into how long of a process this can be.

Approximately 95 percent of implant surgeries are successful. Unsuccessful surgeries are usually linked to failure of osseointegration. Generally patients who are healthy, follow post-treatment care instructions and practice good oral hygiene have positive results. Skill that the surgeon has and condition of the mouth play a role as well.

Patients must realize that this type of dentistry requires maintenance after the implantation and restoration. Likewise, the success of this procedure is in large part due to the condition of the bone. This structure should have enough mass and strength to support the structure. If it does not, a bone graft procedure may fix the problem.

Every surgery carries its risks and complications. There are complications to be aware dental implant surgery. Infection in the gums and bones is not uncommon. A patient may also experience inflammation in those areas. The incision line can open up. Usually this is only a concern within the first few days after the procedure. If this occurs, it can cause serious health problems. In some cases, bone loss and periodontal disease afflict the natural teeth that surround the implant. Metal fixtures from the implant or restoration can come out; however, it is not common. The body may reject the implant if it recognizes it as a foreign object. A patient who experiences any degree of complications should consult their doctor immediately. Left untreated, these issues can be dangerous.

Toronto Dentist Associates at 5000 Yonge Street, Suite 107, Toronto, ON M2N 7J8 (416) 224-0677 a Toronto cosmetic dentist providing you with the most advanced cosmetic and general dentistry procedures such as invisalign braces Toronto, dental implants Toronto and porcelain veneers Toronto.