PATIENT CORNER

An Implant is a metal replacement for a tooth root. This root substitute provides a firm foundation for the doctor to build up the rest of the tooth. They are usually made of Titanium alloys, and have a long history of success

When one loses a tooth or many teeth, along with the visible part of the tooth called crown, the root is also lost or removed. This loss of root makes it difficult to restore the lost tooth. Hence dentists frequently suggest an Implant as a treatment option for rebuilding the lost tooth/teeth, and allow for good chewing and normal function.

Implants provide the closest replacement to natural teeth in terms of appearance, and function. Implant supported crowns, meaning implant with a crown or cap above the gums, are excellent in function allowing for normal chewing and biting. Even in the front of the mouth, implant supported crowns will mimic natural teeth making them look very natural. Hence implants are a very popular and widely accepted treatment method for replacement of lost tooth/teeth

Implant placement involves a small surgical procedure, and is generally very well tolerated with minimal to no pain. Your doctor will advise the right medication for controlling the discomfort and any pain. The site of the implant heals quickly in healthy individuals and there is no cause for concern. Almost all individuals young and old, handle this procedure very well and one need not be afraid of this.

Implants are placed in healthy bone and most of the times a small space has to be created to accommodate the implant. The amount of bone available, region of the mouth and tooth to be replaced, all are factors considered by the dentist while planning for your treatment. The details of the procedure can vary and hence it is best for you to consult your dentist for specifics about your case. But to reiterate, the procedure itself is considered as a minor surgical procedure and normal outcomes of pain free healing is most often seen.

Implants are suitable for all adults. In children below the age of 18 years Implants are usually not recommended due to the bone continuing to grow. Once bone growth is completed then the implant can be placed in the correct position. However occasional cases may require early placement of implants, as decided by the dentist. However there is no upper age limit for receiving dental implants, and as long as the person is healthy enough and has sufficient bone, implants remain a viable option

Diabetics with a good control over their blood glucose levels are considered good candidates for implant placement. There is no absolute restriction on account of diabetes mellitus. However if blood glucose levels are very high or wildly fluctuating, it is advised to get the Diabetes under control and then proceed with implant treatment. Very high blood glucose levels would interfere with normal healing and might lead to other complications, hence Implant treatment might be deferred till your health is more stable. Please do seek your physicians help with control of blood glucose levels and management of Diabetes mellitus.

Please speak to your implantologist for guidance

It is best to keep one’s blood pressure under control at all times. Very high blood pressure is deemed not suitable for Implant surgery, but once the blood pressure is under control the treatment can proceed. Your physician and dentist can decided the line of treatment based on your specific case

In the unfortunate situation of losing all teeth, Implants can really help in many ways. Once one has lost all teeth, there are three ways one can get rehabilitated

First: Dentures without any implants. This has been a very traditional approach for a long time. The advantage of this solution is there is no additional surgery needed. However there are some serious shortcomings. Upper denture is generally very well fitting, stable with minimal complaints that are easily fixed. However the lower denture is generally unstable in case of large gap between tooth extraction and replacement. The wearer finds it unsatisfactory and chewing is a difficult process. Many a time food particles get stuck under the denture and make it very painful to chew. Most hard, or fibrous foods cannot be chewed. Dentures have to be taken out and cleaned after every meal, very embarrassing when eating out and most denture wearers choose to skip such social events. In addition, speech is also difficult and often the lower denture get pushed out while speaking causing embarrassment

Second: Implants for lower jaw, stabilizing the lower denture. This is called implant retained dentures, and all the unseating forces on the lower denture are taken care of by a few implants. Generally two to four implants are placed by the dentist, and actual number varies cases by case. Implants via special connectors, provide a very firm seating and grip for the lower denture and allows the patient to use the denture for normal and effective chewing. This is an easy option where, though a denture is still needed, most of the denture disadvantages are sorted out. Dentures being stable, patient can speak without fear of denture moving, can eat out without denture causing issues. Furthermore since the denture is sitting tight against the lower jaw, very minimal or no food particles get entrapped in-between denture and jaw

Third: Implant supported bridge, with no removable denture. All the required teeth are in a bridge, fixed on implants. Here many more implants are needed, and exact number depends on many factors, and is best answered by your dentist. In such cases bridges are made spanning the entire arch, with implants providing the necessary support. Such bridges obviate the need for any denture covering the mucosa. Not having dentures means the patient can taste the food better and normal chewing is possible. The appearance is also very natural looking. However in case there is severe bone deficiency then treatment may not be possible.

Your dentist will the best person to advise you regarding these options

Smokers always face a higher risk of complications in any surgical procedure, including implants. Smoking is not an absolute contradiction to undergoing implant therapy. However smokers need to be aware of higher risks of delayed healing and need for cessation of smoking for time after surgery. Please do let your dentist know of your smoking habits and the dentist can come up with a plan of treatment. Generally while non-smokers have a higher success rate of around 95%, smokers have lesser success rates dipping to around 70%. Ill effects of smoking are well known and smokers are probably the most aware of this. Hence the event of getting an implant could be an impetus to stop smoking.