Dental Implants

Implants are the popular and contemporary solution to tooth loss and are quickly becoming a common procedure in modern Australian dentistry.

A dental implant is a metal post, often made of titanium, that is screwed in your jaw and replicates the root of the missing tooth. This is a permanent, fixed solution for a single tooth replacement, abutment support for a bridge and also as the retentive aid in implant-supported full dentures. Implant surgery may sound nerve wracking but in reality, with our latest 3D simulated guided surgery, it is very simple, quicker and easier.

There are many advantages to an implant including most natural looking and feeling, durability, prevention of bone loss and preservation of bone structure, an ideal alternative to removable prosthetics like full or partial dentures and fixed prosthetics like a bridge.

PRE-OP ASSESSMENT

An implant consultation begins with a 3D scan to determine your suitability as a candidate for implant surgery. Depending on the individual’s jaw bone density and approximation to various anatomical structures, it will be decided whether or not an implant could be placed to replace your missing teeth or a tooth.

After the assessment, If there is a need for space in the bone prior to implant placement, upon your informed consent, we refer you to nearby specialists to undergo a surgical procedure to do the needful.

Bone grafting could sometimes be essential at the time of extraction of a tooth or before placing an implant. This involves placement of natural or synthetic bone material at the site to help retain the bulk of the jaw bone and hence the foundation for future implant. There is obviously a waiting time of at least three months after grafting and a second scan later on is needed to confirm the result.

After the pre-op assessment is complete and a definitive treatment plan is made, a digital or conventional impression will be taken and is sent to our lab. The lab then fabricates a surgical guide according to our dentist’s treatment plan and sends it back to us to commence the surgery.

IMPLANT PROCEDURE

Dental implants, at Prakhya Dental, are usually placed in two stages. The course and duration of the treatment plan takes several months and multiple appointments to allow the bone to graft around the implant and to ensure a successful outcome.

Phase 1. This is the surgical phase where, using the surgical guide, the prescribed implant is placed in your jaw bone. If the initial stabilization achieved is great enough, a healing abutment (screw cap) is screwed onto the implant which helps in forming a nice gum profile for future crown.

Phase 2. After a minimum of three months post surgery, you will be asked to come in to take an impression and record your bite for the future crown. This phase involves removal of the healing abutment and placement of a transfer coping onto your implant. Then an impression will be taken, which is later sent to the lab for fabrication, and the healing abutment is screwed back on. The final crown will then be screwed onto your implant in a subsequent visit.

IMPLANT TYPES

Based on the number of teeth that are getting replaced, implant supported dental prostheses are of three types.

Single Implants: Used to replace one missing tooth
Implant supported Bridges: Here two or more implants are used to replace the edentulous area. These can be small bridges or full-arch bridges
Implant supported Overdentures: Here small denture implants or conventional implants are used to retain the full dentures.

ADVANTAGES

Permanent fixed solution
Feeling on own due to its proprioceptive function
Most esthetically natural result
Need not rely upon the adjacent teeth for support (no trimming)
All-on-4 treatment eliminates complete dentures and give fixed restorations
Mini implants can aid in denture retention (implant supported overdentures)

DISADVANTAGES

Most expensive fixed restoration in dentistry
Involves surgery
Body may reject due to immunological reasons

IMPLANTS DO NEED CARE

Just like any other dental prosthesis, dental implants also need thorough daily care and regular check ups with cleans. Implantitis (inflammation around the implant) is the main reason for failure of the implant that is plaque induced from poor oral hygiene. This leads to loss of bone grip around the implant and makes it loose, thus resulting in failure of the prosthesis.