Special Services

Dental Implants—Options for Tooth Replacement

Implants are man made root forms that are placed into the jaw to replace missing teeth.  Through a process called osseointegration, the bone will adhere to the implant, and the implant will become anchored to the bone.  Implants have been used successfully for over thirty years for people of all age ranges--from the teenager who just lost or never formed a tooth to the person who has worn a denture for many years. 

Implants can be used to replace a single missing tooth, supply an abutment (anchor) to replace several missing teeth, or act as a retainer to provide added retention to a removable dental appliance, such as a full denture. In fact, if you are missing all of your natural teeth, it is possible to have maxillary (upper) and mandibular (lower) fixed replacements. You cannot remove them yourself, even if you want to! 

There are two different procedures needed to prepare the implant for restoration.  The first step is the surgical phase when the implant is placed into the bone.  At this time, a small incision is made in the gum.  Next, a site is prepared in the bone to receive the implant.  The implant is then placed into the bone, and the tissue is gently sutured over the implant.  The implant must now integrate (fuse to the bone), and this event will take place over the next few months.  After integration has occurred, the tissue is cleared from the top of the implant.  At this point, the final restorative phase may proceed.  The dentist will then place an abutment (post) on the implant.  The final crown, bridge, or denture is then fabricated to fit on the abutment. 

Implant integration to the bone is very successful.  On average, implants have more than a 93% success rate.  There is a slightly higher success rate with implants in the lower jaw as compared to the upper.  This is related to a slightly better bone density within the lower jaw.  Two of the greatest contributing factors for implant failure are uncontrolled diseases, such as diabetes, and smoking.  If you smoke, your chances for successful integration of implants are reduced to about 60%.  If an implant is not going to be successful, many times this can be determined during or after the surgical phase and before the replacement tooth or teeth are constructed. Implants can fail, but this is not common.

Implants may be used to replace a single tooth, especially when the adjacent teeth have never had any restorations.  The implant allows us a more conservative way to replace a missing tooth without having to drill on the teeth on either side, which is necessary with fixed bridgework.  They work very well to replace missing back teeth that would otherwise have to be restored with removable partial dentures.   Implants may be used to replace multiple missing teeth.  They can be used to allow excellent retention and function of full dentures or eliminate the need for dentures altogether. 

There are other alternatives to implants that replace a missing tooth or teeth.  There are fixed bridges (crowns), resin bonded and retained bridges, removable partial dentures, and full removable dentures.  We would be happy to discuss tooth replacement with you at your next visit and find a solution that will allow you maximum function, comfort, and esthetics.