What are dental implants?
Dental implants represent one of the most advanced and natural-feeling methods for replacing missing teeth.
They are often referred to as humanity's "third set of teeth".
Simply put, it is not merely a matter of "planting" a tooth in the gap; rather, it involves surgically placing an artificial root (the implant) into the jawbone. Once this has firmly integrated with the bone, a crown is then fitted atop it.
[害羞R] Key advantages of dental implants:
1⃣ Closest to natural teeth: Functionally, aesthetically, and sensorially, they closely resemble real teeth.
2⃣ No damage to adjacent teeth: Unlike fixed bridges, they do not require grinding down healthy neighbouring teeth for support.
3⃣ Excellent stability: Once integrated with the bone, implants are highly secure, capable of withstanding strong chewing forces without loosening or dislodging.
4⃣ Preserves the alveolar bone: Chewing forces transmitted through the implant effectively stimulate the jawbone, preventing bone resorption and atrophy caused by tooth loss, thereby maintaining facial contours.
5⃣ High comfort: No clasps or bases like removable dentures, resulting in minimal foreign body sensation and clearer speech.
6⃣ Long-term durability: With proper maintenance, implants can last decades (ten, twenty years or longer).
7⃣ High success rate: Modern implant technology is well-established, achieving excellent success rates under suitable conditions.
[Shy R] Dental Implant Treatment Process:
1⃣ Initial assessment: Comprehensive oral examination, imaging (X-rays, CBCT), impression taking, and detailed implant plan formulation.
2⃣ Implant Surgery: Performed under local anaesthesia to place the implant into the jawbone. Duration varies based on complexity and number of implants.
3⃣ Osseointegration Period: Following implant placement, a waiting period of 3-6 months is required (lower jaw typically heals faster than upper jaw) for the implant to achieve secure bone integration. Temporary dentures may be worn during this phase.
4⃣ Secondary Surgery (sometimes required): For submerged implants, a minor procedure is performed after osseointegration to expose the implant head and attach a healing abutment.
5⃣ Impression Taking: Once osseointegration is complete, an oral impression is taken to fabricate the final crown or denture.
6⃣ Crown/Denture Placement: The fabricated crown or denture is permanently fixed onto the abutment.
[害羞R] Post-operative maintenance is crucial:
1⃣ Rigorous oral hygiene: Clean around the implant as meticulously as natural teeth using toothbrushes, floss/interdental brushes, and water flossers. Pay particular attention to the junction between the abutment and gum tissue.
2⃣ Regular check-ups: Attend scheduled check-ups (typically 1-2 times annually) as advised by your dentist. They will assess implant stability, evaluate surrounding tissue health, and perform professional cleaning.
3⃣ Smoking cessation: Smoking is a significant risk factor for implant failure.
4⃣ Avoid biting hard objects: While implants are robust, refrain from using them to crack nutshells, crab shells, or other excessively hard items.
Daily Oral Health Tip
Dental Implant
Crown
Alveolar Bone
Implant
What is a Dental Implant?
Simply put, a dental implant involves embedding an artificial root into the alveolar bone,
then attaching a crown to it,
thus creating a new tooth.
Dental implants are also known as humanity's "third set of teeth".
with over twenty million implants placed globally each year.
Crown
Gums
Abutment
Implant
Alveolar bone
Dental Implant vs Natural Tooth
Healthy tooth structure
Implant structure
Natural crown
Artificial crown
Gingival tissue
Implant bridge
Fibrous tissue maintaining gums and teeth
Dental pulp
Spiral implant
Bone
Fibrous bone (periodontal ligament)
Osseointegration
Ligament)
What are the advantages of dental implants?
No need to grind down teeth, preserving neighbouring tooth health
Natural appearance and colour, comparable to real teeth
Comfortable with no foreign body sensation, no nausea, no impact on speech
Enjoy eating apples and ribs without worry, savour every bite
Stable and durable, lasting decades with proper care
Easy to clean, routine brushing suffices
Preserves alveolar bone structure, minimising bone resorption
Artificial teeth are impervious to decay
When are dental implants recommended?
Single tooth loss
Multiple tooth loss
Accidental fracture
Half-arch tooth loss
Full-arch tooth loss
Failed porcelain crowns
Root remnants
Loose teeth
Discomfort with removable dentures
That concludes today's insights. Should you have any queries, feel free to leave a comment below.
通过DeepL翻译 (https://dee.pl/apps)