Dental

Dental implant or tooth implant is a procedure done to replace tooth roots with screw-like metal posts and replace missing or damaged teeth with artificial teeth designed to look and function like the natural ones.

Nowadays, tooth implant surgery is considered a great alternative to bridgework or dentures. How the procedure is done will depend on several factors including the condition of the patient’s jawbone as well as the type of implant used.

While tooth implant offers many enticing benefits, one of its notable benefits is it offers solid support for new teeth. However, since the process will require that the bone will heal tightly around the implant, the entire process may take several months.

If you’re a candidate for tooth implant, it is important that you know more than just the basics like how much the tooth implant cost is or how the procedure is done. You also need to know other basics like how to prepare for the procedure and what to expect, among others.

Preparing for the Procedure

The tooth implant planning process may require the involvement of several specialists including doctors who specialise in the conditions of the face, jaw, and mouth (oral and maxillofacial surgeons), a dentist that specialises in the treatment of structures that support the teeth (periodontist), and a dentist who fits and designs artificial teeth (prosthodontist).

Since tooth implants will sometimes require one or more procedures, a thorough evaluation needs to be done to prepare for the procedure. Typically, the preparation process will include:

Thorough dental exam. At this stage, dental 3D images and X-rays may be taken as well as models for the teeth and jaw.

Review of the medical history. As a general rule of thumb, consider it best to inform your dentist about medications you are currently taking (this includes over-the-counter supplements and drugs) and medical conditions you have. Patients with orthopaedic implants or certain heart conditions may be given antibiotics before the surgery is done to help ward off any infections.

Treatment plan. Tailored to the patient’s situation, the plan will take into consideration key factors like the number of teeth to be replaced as well as the condition of the remaining teeth and jaw.

To manage pain, anaesthesia will be given. Depending on what is best for the patient, the dentist will either give local or general anaesthesia. You will also be given instructions on what to eat and drink prior to surgery, depending on the type of anaesthesia you will be given. If you will be given general anaesthesia, make sure you have someone who can take you home after the procedure. You are also expected to rest for the remainder of the day.

What to Expect

Tooth implant surgery is typically an outpatient surgery done in stages, with healing time in between procedures. The process involves multiple steps, including:

• Removal of damaged tooth

• Jawbone grafting (when needed)

• Placement of the implant

• Bone growth and healing

• Placement of the abutment

• Placement of artificial tooth

The whole process can take several months from start to finish. Time will be devoted to healing as well as waiting for the new bone in the jaw to grow.

Teeth grinding is characterised by repetitive clenching of the teeth. It can be likened to a person chewing vigorously without any food in the mouth. In most cases, patients grind their teeth during sleep. This condition is known medically as bruxism.

While well known and well documented by dentists and doctors, there is no absolute information on what triggers grinding teeth in sleep. There are however several recognised risk factors for the condition. It is reassuring to note however that there are also a lot of effective treatment options for bruxism now available at one’s disposal.

For the uninitiated, below are some facts about teeth grinding not many may know about:

Bruxism affects millions of people

The number of people (adults and children) who grind their teeth (daily or nightly) is estimated to be close to 30 to 40 million. When it occurs occasionally, teeth grinding is pretty much harmless. Chronic bruxism on the other hand is a totally different story as it can really affect the patient’s overall health and quality of life.

Make no mistake about it, teeth grinding does not only occur during sleep. If truth be told, some people clench their jaws ferociously when stressed or when concentrating. Many people also have no clue they grind their teeth until symptoms manifest.

Symptoms can vary from one person to another

Parents and bed partners are often the ones that inform bruxism patients about their teeth grinding. This is especially true if it occurs during sleep. However, when the condition is severe, patients will also notice several red flags that point something is not right.

For instance, those with severe bruxism often experience headaches and jaw pain, two of the primary indicators that nighttime bruxism is happening. In other cases, teeth grinding is so bad that patients chip or crack their teeth from the pressure.

Other common symptoms that point to bruxism include loose teeth, sore teeth, earaches, face discomfort that won’t go away, etc. When not treated properly, the condition may also cause temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD), a painful condition characterised by swelling of the joints and muscles around the jaw.

Other conditions may also cause bruxism

Sleep apnea, a sleeping condition is sometimes associated with teeth grinding. To avoid bruxism, those with sleep apnea are advised to get proper treatment. For those who already have bruxism secondary to sleep apnea, treating the condition can help minimise, if not totally eradicate the condition.

Mental as well as physical exhaustion may also lead to teeth grinding. In addition, misalignment of teeth as well as heavy snoring may also cause people to grind their teeth at night.

Mouth guards are used to protect the teeth

One of the remedies available for those with chronic bruxism is a custom made mouth guard your dentist can make. To ensure comfort, mouth guards are made of pliable and soft materials that will conform to the shape of the patient’s teeth and bite.

Mouth guards can also effectively protect the teeth from fracturing and chipping. In addition, mouth guards can prevent TMJD and jaw swelling as well as protect the teeth’s enamel from wearing away.

For those who are missing a tooth, here are several reasons why a tooth implant is recommended:

• A missing tooth can affect how a person chews and speaks.

• If not replaced, the teeth around the missing tooth can move. This will not only affect the bite, it can also put more stress on the jaw joints.

• Teeth that have drifted or tipped can become harder to clean. This can put them at a higher risk for gum disease and tooth decay.

• It is possible for bone loss to occur around the tooth that is missing.

• A missing tooth can also affect the way an individual looks.

While a tooth implant is now considered one of the best options to replace missing tooth, not much is still known about it. For instance, what’s the approximate tooth implant cost? What is the procedure like? When is it considered the best time to get one? Are you a good candidate for the procedure?

If tooth implant is an option for you, it is ideal that you know all the basics so you can really gauge if it is indeed the right option for you. This article will explain the basics of an implant procedure and if you are a suitable candidate.

Are you a good candidate for tooth implants?

Generally, you are considered a good candidate if:

You are in good health. Some illnesses especially chronic ones might slow down the healing process and hinder the successful placement of the tooth implant.

You have enough bone in your jawbone to support the implant. If there is no sufficient bone in your jaw, it is still possible for you to get an implant. However, you might need to undergo another process known as bone grafting to ensure your jaw will have sufficient bone to support the implant.

You don’t smoke. In some cases, chewing or smoking tobacco has been known to increase implant failure rate significantly.

You can commit to regular dental visits. In addition, you also need to have and adhere to a good oral hygiene.

Patients who have had radiation therapy done to the neck or head area will have to be evaluated on a case-to-case basis. People who have other significant medical issues need to check with their dentist so they can get expert guidance.

Are dental implants painful?

Many people who have received dental implants reported very minimal discomfort during the procedure. Since local anaesthesia is used during the procedure, most patients report the procedure was less painful than tooth extractions. After the procedure, a mild soreness or discomfort may be felt. However, it can be easily remedied using over-the-counter pain medications.

What is the success rate of dental implants?

Understandably, a few factors can affect the success rate of dental implant. In many instances, it would depend on where in the jaw the implants are placed. Generally, dental implants have a massive success rate of 98 percent. In addition, if it is looked after properly, dental implants ccould last a lifetime.