Dental Implants

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root, mostly made from titanium, which is surgically placed in the jawbone to help hold a replaced tooth, known as a crown. These implants may be an option for people who have lost a tooth or teeth due to periodontal disease, an injury, or some other reason.

Dental implants help the owner to acquire new teeth which look and feel like the original. Implants replaced dentures and other temporary forms of restoring lost teeth.

Dental implants are a common topic of discussion, especially for those who have lost a tooth or several teeth. With the modern advancements in dental technology, lost tooth or teeth can now be restored, with several methods to choose from. A dental implant has been proved to be one of the most successful ways to fix a lost tooth. Many people prefer implants to dentures or refills.

In this article, we shall discuss the different forms and types of dental implants, the pros and cons associated with the process, and a myriad of other related issues concerning these implants. Keep reading the article to gain useful insights into the process of teeth implants, especially for those considering the procedure in the future.

What are dental implants made of?

A dental implant is made up of three parts, the body (screw), the abutment, and the crown.

Implant body/screw. It is the artificial root of the tooth to be replaced. It is used to hold the replacement tooth/teeth in place. For it to be placed, it needs a surgical procedure, with four to six weeks of healing time.
Abutment It is the part connecting the implant to the crown. It is placed on the implant after the surgical procedure has healed. For it to be placed, it needs a partial opening of the gum, which is also a surgical procedure.
Crown It is the false teeth placed on the abutment after the healing of the gum. It is usually made from porcelain to match the natural color of teeth, but some people may choose to have a different colored crown for anaesthetic purposes.

Reasons for Dental Implants

The following are the causes of loss of teeth, which may necessitate dental implants:

1. Tooth decay

Tooth decay or cavities is caused by poor nutrition and lack of proper oral hygiene. It is the leading cause of tooth loss, which results from a lack of restorative treatment for the affected tooth. Regular visits to the dental clinic for routine cleaning and checkup go a long way in detecting and treating tooth decay before it results in tooth loss. Every adult person should have a dental checkup at least once every six months to avoid such problems.

2. Gum disease

Gum or periodontal disease is another cause of loss of teeth, which may make it necessary for dental implants. When gums wear away, tartar and other disease-causing bacteria easily hide there, which results in inflammation. The result of that inflammation will be loosening of teeth hence falling out. Once the teeth fall out, you will need dental implants to replace the lost teeth to avoid further deterioration of the jaw bone.

3. Age and medications

Advanced age brings dental problems, some of which may result in teeth loss, hence dental implants. People above the age of 55 years may start experiencing jaw bone problems, which will eventually lead to loosening of the teeth. The use of medications for high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or heart disease will also increase the risk of tooth loss. That is because using such medication keeps the mouth dry, which increases the rate of tooth decay.

4. Trauma

Car accidents, injuries to the mouth, or falls are also causes of loss of teeth. When teeth are lost or injured through such trauma, they can be repaired, but if the injury is irreparable, the teeth may need to be replaced.

Forms of Dental Implants

According to experts at the Royal Smiles Dental Clinic in Kenya, dental implants come in two different forms, which are:

1. Endosteal dental implants

Endosteal implants involve placing the implants into the natural bone of the jaw. The titanium material ensures that the screw will not be rejected by the body hence a higher success rate. These kinds of dental implants are the most common of all kinds of implants and comprise over 97% of all procedures performed. Once the screw fuses with the natural bone, the patient will hardly feel any difference in the jaw bone.

2. Subperiosteal dental implants

Subperiosteal dental implants are the other type of implants available to those who have lost their teeth. These implants are performed on those that have weaker jawbones that cannot withstand endosteal implants. The implant sits below the gum but above the jawline. The difference between this implant and the endosteal implant is that this one is not surgically placed into the natural bone of the jaw.

Types of Dental Implants

Depending on the needs of the patient, there are different kinds of dental implants available. These are:

1. Single-tooth implant

single tooth implants are available for those with a single missing tooth that they want to replace for aesthetics, comfort, and function. A single tooth implant requires a screw metal post implanted into the jawline or placed on the gum tissue and a crown placed on top of the screw. This kind of implant is self-supporting and does not alter or interfere with the other teeth. The dentist takes precise measurements of your teeth so that the replacement looks and feels exactly like the original.

2. Implant-supported bridge

An implant-supported bridge is another type of dental implant usually recommended for those with several continuous missing teeth. A dental implant is placed on each side of the missing teeth to support all the lost teeth. The replaced teeth look and feel like the original with very little difference. The bridge will have two crowns at the end of each implant connected by tooth or teeth replicas.

3. All-on-4 dental implants

All-on-4 dental implants are another kind of teeth replacement that is done on those who have lost many teeth. The work of this type of implant is to replace an entire jaw of lost teeth. The four implants are strategically placed in the jawline with four crowns supporting the entire set of teeth replicas. Although it is considered a permanent tooth restoration method, the teeth can be removed for cleaning or examination whenever necessary.

4. 3-on-6 dental implants

The 3-on-6 dental implants are a variation of the denture supporting bridges whereby there are three separate bridges for either the upper or lower jaw each supporting six dentures. It also applies to those who have lost all their teeth and need permanent replacement instead of the typical dentures. Although it offers a permanent option for teeth replacement, the teeth can be removed for cleaning or examination whenever necessary.

Evaluation of Candidates for Implants

Not everyone qualifies for dental implants. The Royal Smiles Dental Clinic in Kenya qualifies patients for implants on the following basis:

1. Bone strength

A dentist will examine the bone strength of the jaw before declaring whether the patient is fit enough to undergo dental surgery. When a tooth is lost, the bone in the empty area begins to deteriorate. If you wait for too long, the bone may not be strong enough to support a dental implant surgery. To determine your bone quantity, the dentist will perform a special scan that will show whether you have enough bone for the operation. In case of insufficient bone, the doctors can first perform a bone grafting procedure that helps the body regenerate bone and tissue.

2. Age

The age of the patient can also be used as a determinant for dental implants. That is because these procedures need to be performed on adults whose facial features have fully developed. The recommended ages for these procedures are 16 years for girls and 18 years for boys. If the patient is too young to undergo the procedure, the dentist may come up with an interim solution for the missing tooth or teeth until the proper age is attained or it is ascertained that the facial features and bones are fully developed.

3. Health status

The dentist will also evaluate the health status of the patient before attempting dental implants. As with any other surgery, dental implant surgery comes with certain risks. That’s why the dentist should be aware of any medical conditions that may pose a risk to the patient during the operation. Those with diabetes, heavy smokers, or gum diseases may not qualify for teeth implant surgeries. That is why the dentist should closely work with your physician to determine your surgical readiness.

Dental Implant Procedure

A dental implant procedure has to follow certain steps to ensure its success. The procedure will be long, extending to a few months, or short depending on the needs of the patient. The following are the steps followed in a dental implant procedure:

1. Evaluation and preparation

The first step in dental implant surgery is the evaluation and preparation of the patient for a successful procedure. If the damaged tooth is still in the socket, it will need to be extracted first. If it is already missing, the dentist will evaluate the jawbone to determine whether it is enough for the procedure or not. In case the jawbone is not sufficient, the patient will have to undergo a bone grafting procedure, which can either be synthetic grafting or natural grafting.

Synthetic bone grafting means that an external bone will be grafted with the jawbone to try and fuse them. Natural grafting means that a bone will be taken from another part of the body and fused with the jawbone. It is the most preferred method since it ensures 100% bone fusion since the bones come from the same body. Bone grafts will take a few months to heal before the patient is fit enough to proceed to the next step.

2. Implant placement

Implant placement is the next step in dental implants. Here, the oral surgeon exposes the jawbone by cutting the gum. After the bone is exposed, a hole is drilled into the bone and a metal rod (screw) is placed in the bone to act as the tooth root. The surgeon may place a temporary removable solution as the implant heals if it’s in the front teeth, or leave it open in case of the back teeth.

3. Integration and healing

The next step in dental implants is the integration of the implant into the jaw bone. The implant will fuse with the jaw bone in a period of a few months. The healing and integration period cannot be hastened, as the primary idea is to ensure that the implant is strong enough to support a dental crown or artificial tooth.

4. Abutment placement

Placing the abutment will then follow after the implant has fully healed. The abutment is to extend the implant above the gums. Placing the abutment will involve cutting the healed gum once again so that the implant is exposed. The abutment is then placed on the exposed implant and another healing process begins.

5. Placing the crown

After the gum with the exposed abutment heals, it is time for placing the artificial tooth or crown. The dentist will take an impression of your missing by measuring the empty socket. Your crown will then be created in the lab, and it will be an exact copy of your natural teeth. The crown will then be placed on the abutment and will be the only exposed part of the implant.

Advantages of Dental Implants

The following are among the many advantages of dental implants:

Dental implants are designed to look and feel like real teeth which improve the appearance of your teeth and mouth.
Since dental implants perfectly fit your mouth, you will experience no speech problems, unlike dentures which might loosen anytime hence affecting your speech.
Dental implants are more comfortable in your mouth than removable dentures.
Dental implants make eating easier unlike removable dentures which make the owner careful of what they bite or eat.
Dental implants last very long, with some lasting a lifetime, unlike dentures which must be replaced after a few years.
Dental implants help in preserving the jawbone, which prevents the appearance of ageing.
Dental implants help reduce stress in the remaining teeth since they offer independent support.

Disadvantages of Dental Implants

The following are the notable shortcomings of teeth implants:

Teeth implants pose a risk of bacterial and viral infections if the oral surgeon does not clean the implant area well.
Teeth implants risk injury or damage to the blood vessels and gums.
Teeth implants increase the risk of nerve damage.

FAQs About Dental Implants

How much do dental implants cost?

The cost of dental implants is among the most common questions when it comes to dental implants. A dental replacement is a surgical procedure and therefore it does not come cheap. Roughly, it will cost between Kshs. 50,000 to Kshs. 250,000 per tooth depending on the needs of the patient. Unfortunately, most health insurance providers do not cover the cost of dental implants since they are considered anesthetic. That means the patient will bear the full costs of the procedure.

Are dental implants painful?

Other people want to know whether dental implants are painful. The answer is NO. During the surgical procedure, the surgeon uses anaesthesia to make the operation painless. The patient might experience some pain after the operation, but normal pain relievers will be enough to eradicate the pain.

How long do dental implants last?

Another common question among many people is about the longevity of teeth implants. How long these implants will last depend on how the owner takes care of them. Typically, these implants will last for over 25 years, with some lasting a lifetime.

Why do dental implants fail?

Some people ask why teeth implants fail. These implants fail due to a lack of integration between the jawbone and the metal. When that happens, the implant will remain loose, which means it has failed. The main causes of lack of integration are allergic reactions, tissue damage, infections, and smoking.

What are the symptoms of a failed dental implant?

Some ask how they will tell if a teeth implant has failed. The main signs to look out for in a failed implant are loose or shifting implant, swollen gums, gum recession around the implant, severe pain around the implant, and difficulty when chewing. Once any of these signs have been noticed, the patient should immediately consult their dentist.

Conclusion

Dental implants, albeit expensive, are the most natural way of replacing missing teeth. It is difficult to avoid losing teeth because some causes of lost teeth are beyond your control, and that is why teeth implants play are major role in the replacement of the lost teeth. With teeth implants, the result will be like you have new natural teeth once again.

Dental implants cannot be compared to dentures in terms of aesthetics and function. Whereas a denture owner is always afraid of the loosening of the dentures, falling off, or what they eat, a dental implant owner will not worry about their crown teeth since they are natural for all intents and purposes.

For those in Kenya, the Royal Smiles Dental Clinic is the best clinic for your dental needs. At this clinic, your dental implant will be professionally performed at the best rates compared to other dental facilities. Book an appointment by clicking HERE and filling in the required details. We assure you that you will experience the best services in dental care.