Dental Implants

DENTAL IMPLANTS

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are titanium screw-like posts that are anchored into the jawbone and act just like the roots of natural teeth. Implants enable crowns and bridges to be solidly held in place over an extended period of time—sometimes for a lifetime—and look, feel and function like real teeth. Removable overdentures can also be attached onto multiple implants to form a much more secure connection than ordinary dentures provide.

How Are Dental Implants Like Natural Teeth?

All teeth are structurally composed of two parts—the root which is fixed in the jawbone and the crown which is the visible part we eat with. An implant is like a new root. It provides a supportive base that becomes fixed in the jaw and actually stimulates bone attachment and helps maintain long-term bone height. The prosthesis is the artificial crown. This is connected to the implant by a small piece of metal called an abutment. Bridges or overdentures are the prostheses placed over multiple implants to replace two or more missing teeth.

Why Would You Choose Dental Implants Over More Traditional Types of Restorations?

There are several reasons:

You may not want to sacrifice the structure of surrounding good teeth to bridge a space
Removing a denture or “partial” at night may be inconvenient
Dentures that slip can be uncomfortable and embarrassing

Important Anatomic Considerations

Anterior (front) upper/lower jaws have the greatest bone height.
Posterior (back) upper/lower jaws have less bone height, thus these areas are more likely than anterior regions to need bone grafts.
Sinus regions: Hollow cavities/chambers in the bilateral posterior upper jaw often limit the amount of bone available for implant placement but can be surgically modified to allow placement of bone grafts for successful implant placement.
Mandibular Nerve: The nerve running through the lower jaw provides feeling in the lower lip and chin and limits the amount of bone available in the posterior lower jaw. Shorter implants and bone grafts can still allow successful implant placement in these areas.

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