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Implant Dentistry
Why
not replace teeth that we lose with another tooth, or something that looks
like a tooth? It's being done all the time! The procedure is called
implantology and we know that, as far back as early Chinese civilazations,
implanting and transplanting of teeth was attempted, just as today surgeons
are transplanting whole organs with success.
A
Brief History of Implants
In
Europe and America 200 years ago, the poor sold their teeth for implantation
into the mouths of the wealthy. Tooth "muggers" robbed people of their teeth
to sell them for implant attempts. (Today such people are interested in
teeth for the gold or silver in the fillings.)
The
poor of a few centuries ago had healthier teeth than the well-to-do because
they did not have access to the sugar the rich could easily obtain. Today,
it is just the opposite; the better off and well-educated in society usually
obtain proper dental care, avoid sugar, etc., and generally take better care
of themselves. At the other end of the spectrum, the very poor have poor
diets and usually less concern about their oral health from lack of
knowledge, and probably lack of concern on the part of their parents when
they were growing up.
So,
implantology is actually one of the oldest areas of dentistry, all things
considered. But, while tooth implants or transplants sometimes worked then,
early implantologists were at a disadvantage due to the fact that the
overall knowledge of how the body functions had not yet developed; more
often, the attempts failed. Today, reimplanted teeth can remain functional
and healthy for years.
Modern Implant Technology
 Today's
dental implants are an artificial tooth root (synthetic material) that is
surgically anchored into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge in
place. The benefit of using implants is that they don't rely on neighboring
teeth for support; they are permanant and stable. Implants are a good
solution to tooth loss because the look and feel like natural teeth. Implant
material is made from different types of metallic and bone-like ceramic
materials that are compatible with body tissue. There are different types of
dental implants: the first is placed directly into the jaw bone, like
natural tooth roots; the second is used when the jaw structure is limited,
therefore, a custom-made metal framework fits directly on the existing bone.
Talk with your dentist about whether you are an implant candidate. You must
be in good health and have the proper bone structure and healthy gums for
the implant to stay in place. People who are unable to wear dentures may
also be good candidates. If you suffer from chronic problems, such as
clenching or bruxism, or systemic diseases, such as diabetes, the success
rate for implants decreases dramatically. Additionally, people who smoke or
drink alcohol may not be good candidates.
The
success rate for implants depends on the tooth's purpose and location in the
mouth. The success rate is about 95 percent for those placed in the front of
the lower jaw and 85 percent of those placed in the sides and rear of the
upper jaw.
Your overall health may affect the success rate of dental implants. Poor
oral hygiene is the big reason why some implants fail. It is important to
floss and brush around the fixtures at least twice a day, without metal
objects. Your dentist will give you specific instructions on how to care for
your new implants. Additional cleanings of up to four times per year may be
necessary to ensure that you retain healthy gums.
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