Who Can Have an Implant?
When a tooth is lost due to trauma or illness, a person can experience unpleasant side effects such as quick bone loss, speech problems, or altered chewing habits. Unlike in the past, when you had to get used to having missing teeth, there is a solution. The patient’s health and quality of life can be greatly enhanced by using a dental implant to replace a missing tooth.
What is a Dental Implant?
The first dental implants as we know them now were developed in 1952 by Per-Ingvar Branemark, a Swedish orthopedic surgeon. Today, they are regarded as the industry standard of care for replacing lost teeth. A dental implant is a surgical fixture that is placed in the jawbone and allowed to fuse with the bone over a period of several months. The dental implant serves as the replacement for the root of a missing tooth. The “artificial tooth root” then holds a denture or bridge in place. Getting a dental implant is, without a doubt, the only way to closely resemble a natural tooth. The implant has high stability and can stand on its own without harming the neighbouring teeth. It also prevents problems that follow after losing a tooth, such as bone loss.
The process of fusion between the jawbone and the dental implant is known as osseointegration. The majority of implants are made of titanium. This enables them to integrate well with the jawbone without the body rejecting them. Over the years, the technology of dental implants has progressed greatly. As a result, the success rate of dental implants is now close to 98%.
Why Would You Need Dental Implants?
Today, dental implants are used to replace a single tooth or several teeth. It is even possible for a dentist to use this procedure to replace all the teeth. The goal of getting implants is to restore function and aesthetics. The main advantages of getting dental implants are:
- Improved appearance: Implants feel and look like your natural teeth.
- Improved speech: Poor-fitting dentures and missing teeth can impact your speech. Implants enable you to speak without slurring your words or mumbling. Having no missing teeth means you will not have a pronunciation problem.
- Improved comfort: Implants are permanent. They get rid of the discomfort that comes with removable dentures.
- Easier eating: Sliding dentures make chewing troublesome. Since implants work like natural teeth, you can enjoy your favourite foods without any pain or discomfort.
- Improved self-esteem: Implants will complete your smile by replacing missing teeth. This will make you feel better about yourself.
- Enhanced oral health: Dental implants don’t alter nearby teeth. Your natural teeth will be left intact, which improves oral health. It is also easy to clean between teeth with individual implants.
- Durability: With good care, implants can last a lifetime.
- Convenience: With dental implants, you will no longer have to deal with the embarrassment of having to remove dentures. Implants are permanent.
Flossing Braces
If you have braces, flossing will take longer, about 10 to 15 minutes. Waxed floss is the best for braces.
- Break 18 to 24 inches of dental floss and stand in front of a mirror to ensure the floss goes to the right place.
- Thread the floss between the teeth and the main wire. Twist the loose ends of the dental floss around the index fingers so that you are able to move around with ease.
- Gently press dental floss between two teeth, then move up and down and along the sides of the teeth.
- For the top teeth, make an upside-down U with the dental floss. Go up the side of one tooth up to the gum, then glide down the side of the other tooth.
- Remove the floss gently and unthread it behind your braces. Be careful not to pop the floss out of the tooth, as doing so might dislodge the wire.
The main types of dental floss are dental tape, standard floss and super flosses. Always talk to your dentist about the best kind of dental floss to use and how to use it.
Contraindication – Who Cannot Have Implants?
While implants are the perfect replacement for missing teeth, not everyone can have them. Dental implants may be ideal for you if you:
- Have a jawbone that has reached full growth
- Have one or more missing teeth
- Have healthy oral tissues
- Do not have any health condition that affects bone healing
- Want to improve your speech
- Are unwilling or unable to wear dentures
- Do not smoke tobacco
Although anyone who is healthy enough to undergo oral surgery or routine dental extraction can have implants, there are people who don’t qualify for the treatment. If any of the following apply to you, implants may not be ideal for you.
- Gum disease
Patients with periodontist, gingivitis or any gum disease will not qualify for implants. This is because gum diseases destroy both the gums and jawbone. Too much bone loss means there is not enough bone for the implant to attach. Gum disease must be treated first.
- Bruxism
This is the unconscious clenching, grinding or gritting of teeth. Natural teeth can absorb the shock from bruxism. Implants, on the other hand, can be damaged by teeth grinding.
- Weak immune system
Immunodeficiency will affect the healing process of the implants. Persons with a weak immune system are also at a higher risk of infections. - Diabete
Diabetes causes slow wound recovery. As a result, most people with diabetes are not a good fit for implants.
- Insufficient bone
You may not be an ideal candidate for implants if you have insufficient bone density and quantity. This is because implants need enough bone for them to attach.
- Children and teens
A young jaw is not fully developed. Implants in children and teens can impact normal jaw growth.
- Smokers
Tobacco has chemicals that keep the body from delivering enough blood to the jaw. This inhibits healing. - The very elderly
Implants are rarely recommended for patients over the age of 85. This is because very elderly people are susceptible to chronic illness.
Alternatives to Implants
If you are not a candidate for dental implants, there are alternatives available. They include:
- Full mouth dentures
- Partial dentures
- Fixed bridges
Implant Process
The procedure varies from one patient to the next. The experience will depend on:
- The number of teeth that need to be replaced
- Location of the implant within your jaw
- Quantity and quality of your jawbone
- Underlying oral and systemic health
The first step is the development of an individualized treatment plan. A tooth root implant will then be made into your bone socket. The artificial tooth root is made of titanium, and once it is implanted, the jawbone will heal around the metal post, thus anchoring it securely. Healing takes about 6 to 12 weeks. An abutment (connector post) will be attached to the bonded implant. This is what holds the new tooth. An impression of your teeth will be done to create a new tooth. The replacement tooth is known as the crown and will be attached to the abutment. There is very little discomfort involved throughout the procedure.
How Do You Maintain an Implant?
Dental implants require the same care and maintenance as regular teeth. This includes flossing, brushing and rinsing with antibacterial mouthwash. You also need regular dental checkups. It is recommended to return to your dentist once every 6 months for professional teeth cleaning.
