Arizona Prosthodontics & Dental Implants - Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, Glendale, Gilbert & More!
The technological advancements related to dental implants have significantly improved the treatment options available for patients missing one or more teeth. A dental implant can be compared to a tooth root which anchors the visible portion of the tooth in the mouth. Current research has demonstrated successful healing and function of dental implants to be 90% after 15 to 20 years of service.
The advantages of using dental implants to replace missing teeth include the following:
- Dental implants help to maintain and retain the supporting jaw bone that would otherwise shrink away, thus maintaining the facial structure and preventing a sunken-in appearance to the face.
- Placing dental implants rather than placing a traditional bridge prevents having to remove healthy tooth structure on adjacent teeth used to support the bridge.
- Replacing missing teeth with dental implants helps to distribute the forces of chewing so that the remaining teeth are not taking the brunt of the chewing load.
- Using dental implants to support a denture prevents the denture from moving on the gum tissues and provides an extremely stable anchor for dentures allowing for improved chewing capacity and function.
A dental treatment plan involving dental implants will depend on the area within the mouth and the number of missing teeth. For example, a space with one missing tooth and natural teeth on either side can be treated with a dental implant supported restoration to provide a long-term, low-maintenance treatment result while maintaining the integrity of the adjacent teeth. In a situation where all of the lower teeth are missing, four dental implants can be strategically positioned to support a restoration with 10-12 teeth providing function similar to a full complement of natural teeth.
The significant advancements in technology have influenced dental implant supported restorations through:
- The use of 3-dimensional images to improve the planning process.
- The modification of the surface of the dental implant to decrease the healing time.
- The refinement of the techniques used to place and restore the dental implants.
The most critical factor in the success of dental implant supported restorations relates to the healing potential of the natural structures following the procedure. Uncontrolled diabetes, history of radiation of the head and neck area, and hypothyroidism will act to limit the healing potential and therefore alter the anticipated success of dental implant therapy. Success rates for patients who smoke have been shown to be 10% lower than healthy non-smokers due to a diminished healing capacity. When a concern arises regarding the healing potential, the time between the placement of the dental implant and the placement of the definitive restoration may be extended in order to provide the greatest opportunity for success.
The circumstances that surround a situation where a patient is missing one or more teeth can be different for everyone. It is certainly a powerful experience to help someone through the process and watch the reaction in the patient’s eyes after the definitive restoration is placed. Patients report an improved level of confidence in daily interactions as well as improved chewing function as a result of a successful dental implant supported restoration.