What is a Dental Implant?

A Restoration with a Solid Foundation

Tooth Root Substitutes. Sometimes, people lose permanent teeth due to accident, injury, disease or extraction. In such cases, we find dental implants to be a secure, functional replacement option. They're superior to many other replacement choices because they actually restore comfort and beauty, while also remaining functional for the long run. What's more, they do not rely on neighboring teeth for support, and therefore do not represent a threat to the integrity of your overall dental structural health. Sometimes, Dr. Henbest will recommend implants as anchors for bridgework or fixed dentures as well.

Advantageous Anchors. Since they are permanently, surgically anchored to the jawbone, implants offer impressive advantages over other tooth replacement options. Their stability and permanence allows them to restore, not limit, your ability to speak and eat normally. Also, their firm positioning supplies support to facial musculature, improving rather than detracting from your normal appearance. And this solid foundation means that once they're implanted, you'll never have to deal with the inconveniences and discomfort of ill-fitting prostheses again. In fact, you'll probably forget they're even there.

Permanent Posts. The implant itself consists of a small titanium post, inserted into the jawbone below the gum surface at the location of the missing tooth. As the bone bonds to the post, it forms a secure foundation onto which artificial teeth are attached and shaped to match your existing teeth. Depending on how many teeth you're missing, we'll determine the best kind of restoration for your case. If you're missing one or two teeth, your restoration will most likely be a simple crown. For two or more missing teeth, you'll probably require permanent fixed bridgework. And, if we're replacing a complete set of upper or lower teeth, we'll evaluate the advantages of removable vs. fixed prosthesis, which in turn determines how many implants per jaw are required.

Coordinated Care. The implant process generally requires three separate steps, "anchoring", "attachment", and "restoration".  As the 'orchestrator' of a professional implant procedure team, Dr. Henbest coordinates each step, the first two of which are completed by an Oral Surgeon who specializes in implant surgery.  Once we've determined that implants are the best option for you, we work with you individually to evaluate the specific type of implants appropriate to resolve your particular concerns, carefully assembling all steps of your treatment plan.

Bonding Base To Bone. To place your implant, we'll take you through three phases of treatment. First, the Oral Surgeon will surgically anchor the tooth root substitute "post" into your jaw-bone below the gum tissue. This post must form a solid, enduring base with sufficient stability to withstand the tremendous mechanical pressure involved in normal chewing, so we'll typically allow three to six months for the post to incorporate into the bone. Fortunately, most patients do not notice the post during this time. During the wait, Dr. Henbest will work with the surgeon to provide a temporary bridge or dentures to facilitate eating and to help maintain facial muscle support. In the meantime, the lab carefully custom designs and manufactures your artificial tooth or teeth to be placed over the implant top.

Placing Prosthesis on Post. Once we're certain that your implant post has bonded with your jawbone, the surgeon will prepare the implant to receive your restoration tooth or teeth. This step requires fixing the top of the implant (prosthetic abutment) onto the anchor post. For this step, the surgeon will first uncover each implant anchor, and connect it to a small post that protrudes above the gum-line.

Ready for Restoration. Once the lab has completed their custom fabrication of your artificial teeth or restoration, Dr. Henbest completes the final step of implant placement process. He carefully uses the prepared restoration to cover your protruding implant posts. This results in a secure, attractive, replacement tooth or set of teeth, designed to function as effectively as your remaining natural teeth. Depending on the number of teeth involved, this final part of the implant process usually requires only a short time to complete.

Statistics of Success. Those unfamiliar with implant technology may question the success rate of such procedures. Surprisingly enough, the technology is well over 25 years old, and has proven successful in tooth replacement, depending primarily on the recipient's health, as well as the location and function of the teeth being replaced. Teeth placed in the lower front jaw may be up to 95% successful, while side or rear placements may be only 90% successful. It's also best if recipients are in good general health, with proper bone structure and healthy gums. Often, people unable to wear dentures are among those who benefit most from implants. On the other hand, chronic health problems such as clenching, bruxism, or systemic diseases may decrease the success rate of the procedure immensely. Finally, those who smoke or drink alcohol may also be poor implant candidates.

Cost and Commitment. Due to the surgery involved, implant procedures are typically more expensive than traditional bridgework. However, dental and medical insurance may cover portions of such restoration. It's best to discuss this with Dr. Henbest and our staff during your evaluation for implant placement, so that we can assist you in working with your insurance company.

Finally, as an implant candidate, you should seriously consider your own commitment to future oral health. As you might imagine, poor oral hygiene itself is a common cause of implant failure. This means that you'll want to be sure and brush and floss around your implants at least twice a day, according to the specific instructions we give you. Further, you may need up to four annual professional cleanings to maintain healthy gums.

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Images provided by Nobel Biocare USA, Inc.