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Implant
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What is an Implant? |
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An implant is a synthetic metallic root substitute made of titanium, which is placed
in jawbone. When permanent teeth are missing, or adjacent teeth seriously damaged,
which can’t offer strong base. Then the crown, bridges and dentures are attached
to this artificial root. You can maintain natural teeth intact.
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Who needs implant?
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People with a series of problems will find comfort in implants. You must be in good
health and have the proper bone structure and healthy gums for the implant to stay
in place.
- Replace a single or several missing teeth
As added retention to dental appliance such as full denture
Free ends where tooth support cannot be obtained to make bridge.
Fixed artificial denture
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Limitations |
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- Clenching or bruxism
- Uncontrolled systemic diseases such as diabetes
- Pregnancy
- Psychiatric treatment and poor motivation to follow
treatment.
- Blood coagulation
- Narrow gaps and unfavorable positions of teeth
- Weak oral muscles
- Smoking and alcoholism
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Types of implants
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There are three types of implants |
Endosseous
Subperiosteal
Transosteal |
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Endosseous |
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Screw or cylinder shaped, made of metal covered with ceramic, placed within the
bone
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Subperiosteal |
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Screw or cylinder shaped, made of metal covered with ceramic, placed within the
bone
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Transosteal |
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Screw or cylinder shaped, made of metal covered with ceramic, placed within the
bone
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How many visits required? |
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Generally, it takes
10-12 visits, depending on the work involved |
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Treatment procedure |
Presurgical phase.
Surgical Phase
Immediate after surgery
Post surgical instruction
Healing period
Use of old dentures
Prosthetic phase
After care |
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Presurgical phase |
Clinical Examination is carried out
X-rays of head, jaw and teeth taken
Impressions of teeth and jaws taken
Blood test may be required
Antibiotic cover prior to surgery required
Sleep and eat well before surgery if it is to be carried out under Local anesthesia. |
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Surgical Phase |
Local anesthesia
is given
Small incision in gum area will be made
Flap will be retracted
Small hole will be made
Implant is inserted in to bone
Flap will be closed with sutures
Healing time 4-6 months |
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Local anesthesia is given |
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Small incision in gum area will be made |
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Flap will be retracted |
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Small hole will be made |
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Implant is inserted in to bone |
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Flap will be closed with sutures |
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Healing time 4-6 months |
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Immediate after surgery |
Apply ice pack from out side for a few hours. This reduces post operative swelling
and pain
No spitting or rinsing your mouth for the first 24 hours
Diet includes soft and cold
Pain and swelling may will appear within 4-6hours after surgery as the effect of
anesthesia wears off
With proper antibiotic and anti-inflammatory cover swelling and pain would reduce
to a good extent in 4-5 days.
Avoid strenuous work for a couple of days. |
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Post surgical instruction |
Maintenance of oral
hygiene is the most important
Sutures will be removed 7-10 days from the date of surgery. |
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Healing period |
Do not bite any thing solid with the temporary denture or relined dentures during
the healing period
The success of the implant depends upon the implant not being disturbed for at least
4- 6 weeks
The implant should not be disturbed for at least 4 to 6 weeks
Healing period of both the types of implants is approximately 3-6 months. |
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Use of old dentures |
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In case of a complete denture patient, soft relining of denture may be carried after
15 days of surgery. |
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Prosthetic phase |
Local anesthesia is given
The implant placement site is exposed
Gum is cleared from top of the implant
Gingival former is fastened to the implant
Gingival former is removed usually after 3 to 4 weeks.
Post is fastened to the implant
Impression is taken for making prosthetic Replacement, eg. Crown, Bridge, etc. attached
to the post
Trial is taken
Cementation of prosthesis
Bite is checked for occlusion
Periodical check ups and x-rays as advised |
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The implant placement site is exposed |
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Gingival former is fastened to the implant |
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Post is fastened to the implant |
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Trial is taken |
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Cementation of prosthesis |
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After care |
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During the first year after your new prosthesis has been placed on the implants,
it is necessary for the dentist to confirm that it fits well and works satisfactorily.
Regular checkup appointment will usually be scheduled at 1-, 3-, and 6- month intervals
in the first year. At these checkups, x-rays may be taken to examine the implant-bone
relationship to rule out any disease. After the first year, follow-up examinations
are usually necessary usually only once a year. |
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Advantages |
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The implant is a boon to the missing tooth. It’s one of the most accepted
dental treatment procedures, once, which was considered astounding. The implant
option may offer the most conservative treatment for a fixed replacement - that
is, the least amount of no drilling of natural tooth structure. |
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Disadvantages
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The disadvantages
are minimal and mostly depending upon the situation. |
Minor surgical procedure
is required
Temporary pain and swelling of gums, lips or tongue.
Temporary inflammation |
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How long does it lasts? |
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If you maintain oral hygiene, they will last lifetime. Do not take offense but an
implant will accompany you to your grave provided you don’t repeat the same
mistakes you did earlier. |
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Success rate |
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The success rate for implants depends on the tooth’s purpose and location
in the mouth. Occasionally there is an implant failure; the success rate is about
95 percent for those placed in front of the lower jaw and 85 percent for 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 a big reason why some implants fail. |
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Home care |
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Good oral hygiene is just as important. to patients with implant prosthesis as to
those people who have their natural teeth. It cannot be said enough that you must
thoroughly clean the abutments and prosthesis daily if your implants are to give
you long-time service. Because the flow of saliva slows down while you are asleep,
the natural cleaning action of saliva decreases. This means that bacterial plaque
builds up while you are asleep. Therefore, the most important times for cleaning
the abutments and teeth are in the evening and in the morning. |
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The most important areas to be cleaned are the abutment posts, underneath the prosthesis,
and the area around the gums. |
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Brush twice a day |
• Floss the regularly
• Visit your dentists regularly
• Areas to be cleaned:
• Abutment posts
• Underneath the prosthesis
• Brush the posts and prosthesis. |
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Rinse your mouth thoroughly with saltwater. It will remove all food particles and
bacteria that have been dislodged by brushing and flossing. |
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Alternative |
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A full denture, bridge and RPD are probably the alternative, but it all depends
on merits of the procedure. |
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Summary and conclusion |
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To replace missing teeth implant is most internationally accepted treatment procedure.
It overcomes all the disadvantages of Bridge, Removable Partial Denture & Complete
Denture, which restores the look, function and form of natural tooth.
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