Anyone missing teeth or who has failing teeth will almost certainly have discovered that dental implants are the recommended treatment of choice in most cases. Open any publication or search online, and you will probably see plenty of adverts for implant treatment, often at seemingly cheap or highly competitive prices.
Therefore it’s easy to imagine that there’s nothing much to having dental implants and that treatment must be pretty easy, and any dentist can complete this procedure successfully. However, the truth is slightly different, and it’s worth being wary and carefully shopping around for your implant dentist.
Certain factors greatly influence whether you will enjoy a successful treatment with implant teeth that last for many years to come or if you will be beset with problems that could have been avoided with the proper care. Read on to discover how certain factors can influence the outcome of treatment.
Choosing an Experienced Implant Dentist
Choosing the right implant dentist is one of the biggest factors. It can make the difference between having a successful implant treatment and receiving dental implants that are always a compromise and may not last as long as you wish or expect. Implant dentistry is a complex and skilled process requiring proper training and experience.
While some general dentists have chosen to specialize in this field, attending multiple courses and gaining extra qualifications, others may have done little more than a weekend course. Although they know the basics, they lack the experience and skills required. This is especially the case if you need more complicated implant treatment, for example, missing multiple teeth or having other factors that may influence the treatment outcome.
You can, of course, read about potential implant dentists online to get a good idea of their skills, training, and experience. However, it can be better to choose a true specialist in their field and who has years of additional training, for example, a periodontist.
Because a periodontist is a specialist in treating the structures surrounding your teeth, including the bone and gum, they are the ideal person to plan and place dental implants more successfully. When you initially see them for a consultation, they can also assess your oral health and determine if you are suitable for dental implants.
Key Questions That Must Be Answered During Your Initial Consultation
Two very important questions need answering during your initial consultation. The first is whether there is enough bone to support the implants properly and if it is in the right place to enable a tooth to be replaced with an implant. The second is whether the implant can be placed correctly so that once restored with an implant tooth, the tooth will function properly and look good.
Proper implant placement and positioning depend on having enough jawbone volume and density. A skilled implant dentist can successfully place dental implants in areas with lower bone density, or they can carry out other procedures such as a bone graft to help ensure success. If these two questions are answered properly, there is a very good chance that your dental implants will have a high success rate. Typically, success rates for implant treatment of 95% or more.
Choosing the Right Implant Treatment
When dental implants are placed into the jawbone, they need time to Osseointegrate with this bone. It is a process that cannot be rushed and takes at least two months and possibly four or more months to complete. The implant post mustn’t move during this process or come under too much stress. However, an increasing number of implant dentists are loading implants soon after insertion, where temporary teeth are fitted onto the implant posts soon after surgery, a procedure often known as teeth in a day.
In the right hands, this treatment is very successful and allows patients to enjoy the benefits of having teeth that look and feel reasonably good a short while after the surgery. However, one of the most common reasons for implant failure is when they are loaded too soon and come under too much stress due to biting forces while still healing.
It takes a great deal of skill to ensure this doesn’t happen and is the reason why the teeth fitted soon after surgery are usually temporary and are designed more for aesthetic purposes than for functionality. Often the procedure is used when fitting a larger implant bridge because the temporary bridge splints the implants together, preventing unwanted movements and creating better initial stability. Generally, it’s more effective when used in the lower front jaw as the bone here is naturally denser and stronger than the bone in the upper jaw.
Designing Implant Teeth
Everyone has seen people with teeth that look false, and it’s the last thing you want if you have a premium treatment like dental implants. When choosing the proper implant dentist, they should plan and place your dental implants using computer-guided surgery. The technique involves taking a cone beam CT scan of your jaws, giving them detailed 3-D images from which to work.
They can manipulate these images and rotate them in any position to decide exactly where to situate each implant, avoiding essential structures like nerves. At the same time, your implant dentist can make sure that your final implant restorations can be created in a way that allows them to function fully and to be aesthetically pleasing. When dental implants aren’t placed in the right position, this part of the treatment can become a compromise.
Removable or Fixed?
When asked what kind of restoration they want, most people will immediately say fixed as the idea of having fixed teeth that look and feel like your own is undoubtedly appealing. However, removable restorations shouldn’t be disregarded as they can be an excellent solution in the right situations. A removable restoration is an implant-supported denture made to clip firmly onto the dental implants in the jawbone. It is taken out for cleaning regularly and for general maintenance. Removable implant restorations can sometimes be easier for people to look after, and then there is the cost.
Choosing this option can make treatment far more affordable because usually fewer implants are needed. Your implant dentist should discuss all options with you, explaining each clearly so you can make the right choice. Call LuxDen Dental Center at (347) 472-1532 and let our team of experts make your dental implant as good as new.
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