Implant Dentistry

Dental implant technology has seen stunning progress in the last few decades. Today, within the Cincinnati-area, there is a ninety-five percent success rate with these replacements for permanent teeth, and they are considered significantly more satisfactory, safe, and efficient than crowns, dentures, partials, or any other restorative measures.

One of the many concerns relating to lost teeth and possible implant placement is the basic reason behind the loss of tooth itself. Was the tooth loss caused by inadequate oral hygiene, harmful diet, or any disease? The consequences of tooth loss can result in improper eating habits, malnutrition, low sense of self worth, lack of social confidence, and infection.

Much of these problems can be sorted out through missing tooth replacement possibly including implant placement, which should be discussed with a dentist. A complete dental restoration is bound to include some elements of implant process, so patients need to develop a detailed treatment plan with their dentist. Patients with diabetes, cancer, periodontal disease, or who smoke or take immunosuppressants may not be good candidates for implant placement. Smokers may be advised to quit their habit, or, at the very least remain smoke free for the many months of healing that the process requires, while individuals with periodontal disease need to commit to and actively combat the problem and then revisit implant treatment options.

A patient interested in dental implants must visit their Cincinnati-area dentist to discuss their options. Not all missing teeth need to be replaced with implants. Other choices such as bridges, partial dentures, or "mini implants" might be a more appropriate option. A qualified dentist will fully discuss each option and make sure the patient has weighed the many "pros and cons" of each choice.

Once a patient has been approved for implant surgery they must be fully prepared for a lengthy treatment plan. First, the implant root analog is placed in the jawbone after a small hole is drilled. The area will be allowed to heal and the implant allowed to integrate with the bone—osseointegration—for a period of three to six months. During this time, the patient will be allowed to wear a temporary prosthesis for aesthetic purposes only.

This is done to allow the soft tissue (gum) to grow around what will soon be the permanent prosthesis. This procedure helps the gum get used to the implant and grow around it to accommodate the permanent prosthetic replacement. Once the dentist believes the gum tissue is ready, the permanent tooth or crown is placed.

Can osseointegration fail? As with any surgical procedure, there is always the potential for things to not happen quite as planned or anticipated. In the case of implants, patients will be presented with the option of trying again once the failed implant has been removed. Reasons for failure of implant procedures include poor positioning of the implant, infection and factors such as smoking that can lead to rejection of the implant. The success rate for this procedure is generally very high, though there are a higher number of failures in the upper, rather than the lower, jaw. Dental specialists surmise that this is due to lower bone densities in most upper jaw areas which is not always optimal for successful osseointegration.

Are there any other risks associated with implants? Infection is always a concern during the months of osseointegration as well as the initial weeks following any part of the procedure, but after that the only risks associated with implants are the result of ongoing inadequate dental hygiene. While the implants and crowns are not susceptible to cavities or decay, the soft tissue areas around the implants can develop a condition known as "peri-implantitis" which is remarkably similar to periodontitis, and is the reason that dentists emphasize appropriate care of the soft tissue, gums and crowns of any implants.

Are there any alternatives to implant procedures? Actually there are several treatment options. One of the most popular—and relatively new to the Cincinnati area--is the development of "mini implants" which are significantly smaller implants meant to replace teeth like the incisors. "Mini-implants" are ideal for individuals who are looking to use a single implant to stabilize their full or partial dentures. Mini-implants are less than half the width of the normal implants and not completely submerged during the procedure. Though they cost less they do not provide the same results as a traditional implant.

Additionally, dentists are now placing implants immediately after the removal of a natural tooth. The patient most likely to benefit from this less lengthy process is the one whose jaws present a positive environment for implants. An appropriately trained Cincinnati-area dentist will be able to predict which of their patients would be an ideal candidate for the insertion of an implant immediately following the extraction of a tooth.