Whether for a single missing tooth or replacement of all the teeth, dental implant is now recognized as a standard treatment procedure.

WHAT IS A DENTAL IMPLANT?

It is an advanced form of medical technology for the treatment of tooth loss. A titanium implant is placed in the toothless area of jawbone. The jawbone fuses with the titanium surface providing a strong anchorage, while the implant functions as a support for the dental prosthesis constructed over it.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF A DENTAL IMPLANT?

1. It can treat cases untreatable by conventional methods like dental bridges and dentures.
2. It prevents further resorption of the jawbone following tooth loss.
3. It can perfectly restore chewing function.
4. It avoids grinding of teeth as in preparation for a fixed bridge.
5. It gives better function than conventional removable dentures and fixed bridges.
6. It gives superior aesthetic results.
7. It helps restore the patient’s self-esteem and confidence.

AM I A SUITABLE CANDIDATE FOR DENTAL IMPLANT?

You are, if you fulfil the following requirements:

1. You must be medically fit to undergo ordinary minor surgery.
2. Your jaw must have enough bone to support the implant (If not, bone grafting may be required).
3. There must be enough space to accommodate the prosthesis over the implant.
4. You must understand what the treatment can offer.
5. You must realize to what extent the treatment can meet your expectations.

WHAT ARE THE PROCEDURES INVOLVED?

The surgery can commence after thorough diagnosis and treatment planning. A recipient site of the same size and shape as the implant is created in the jawbone with drilling instruments. The implant is inserted into the site prepared. Usually, a healing period of 3 to 6 months is required for the jawbone to fuse with the implant. The jawbone has different densities in different areas- the denser the bone, the shorter the healing period. After this healing period, the prosthesis is constructed over the implant and the treatment completed. Usually, a straightforward implant treatment takes about 4 to 7 months to complete. Longer periods are required for complex situations such as cases requiring bone grafting.

HOW IS THE OPERATION ARRANGED?

The operation is performed under aseptic conditions usually in the dental clinic with proper facilities and conditions for dental implant surgery. Local anaesthesia is given for pain control during the operation. Intravenous injections can be given if necessary. Pain which may occur after the operation can be effectively controlled with oral medication. The prosthetic part of the implant treatment does not require any anaesthesia.

IS THE OPERATION SAFE?

Whereas no medical treatment can guaranty absolutely no risks or failures, dental implant operation can be considered very safe. The prosthetic phase of treatment is basically non-invasive and non-surgical in nature.

HOW SUCCESSFUL IS THE TREATMENT?

Modern dental implant is highly successful. As a general guideline, the five-year success rate is 95% in the lower jaw (Mandible) and 90% in the upper jaw (Maxilla). The success rates may slowly decrease as the implant stays longer in function. Despite the overall high success rate, there is a possibility of failure contributed by various factors such as poor healing capacity, poor bone quality, smoking, inadequate oral hygiene maintenance, Para-functional oral habits etc.

However, a dental implant can be considered as a long lasting treatment with a good survival rate over 10 years and sometimes even a lifetime.